Sandra‘s Closet

Chopard’s new campaign celebrates the purity, appeal and contemporary character of Ice Cube jewelry. Shot by British fashion photographer and director Charlotte Wales, it reveals a captivating fusion between Bella Hadid’s beauty and the sunny radiance of Ice Cube jewellery. The skilful use of light creates a mesmerising atmosphere, while accentuating the perfect geometry of these creations. This symbiosis of light and jewelry reveals the very essence of Ice Cube design. Without shadow, there is no light: such is the common thread running through the images in this ‘Sculpted by Light‘ campaign.

A unique motif paying tribute to minimalism
As the collection’s central motif, the cube embodies an idea of geometric perfection and magnifies the light bouncing off its facets. Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele introduced this motif in 1999 through a watch that ditched flashy artifice to focus instead on pure shapes. Ever since, the collection has continued to evolve in a perpetual dialogue with light.

Reflecting the Bauhaus movement’s principles emphasising simplicity and functionality, this minimalist, uncluttered aesthetic is characterised by highly graphic lines using only essential elements: light, shape and resistant materials. Ice Cube meets the minimalist inspiration of modern architecture through its vertical nature evoking the skyscrapers of international capitals that are natural homes to the avant-garde. These streamlined, geometric designs are showcased in the new ‘Sculpted by Light‘ visuals.

Apparent simplicity, grounded in refinement
Ice Cube stems from a quest for perfection combining high technology and craftsmanship. While each cube with its identically repeated motif may appear simple, each of its four perfectly symmetrical edges is in fact subtly facetted. As a result, light finds a wealth of refraction points in these tiny surfaces, multiplying the jewellery’s brilliance. Highly technical machining resulting from six years of R&D has enabled perfect milling that creates taut lines on minute surfaces. This constantly optimised, diamond-equipped tool machines the precious metal to the nearest hundredth of a centimetre, producing a pre-polished surface of exceptional quality. The mirror-polished surface is further buffed with a dedicated pad to endow it with ultimate shine and brilliance: this phase is done exclusively by hand, as is the diamond paving on the gemset sections.

An ethical aura
Firmly committed to an ethical approach blending seamlessly with its identity, Chopard favours essential and enduring creations. As early as 2017, the use of ethical gold to produce the jewelry in the collection testified to the Maison’s commitment to responsible practices. While Chopard made ethical gold the norm for all its watch and jewellery creations the following year, the fact that it used Ice Cube to spearhead its sustainable endeavours demonstrates its attachment to a collection that is part of a contemporary approach in which materials are every bit as important as product design.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chopard
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Last week I was in Cannes for the Film Festival and attended some absolutely amazing events. One of them was an invite by Caroline Scheufele to join her for Chopard‘s annual grand soirée. This year’s «Wild» theme was taken literally and Diana Ross took the stage with an incredible performance in front of a digital waterfall and surrounded by thousands of palm trees that transformed the venue into a true wild jungle full of diamonds and jewels. Guests, among them Kate Moss, Petra Nemcova, Adriana Lima and Kendall Jenner, danced until late to the sounds of DJ Mark Ronson.

My look: Embroidered tulle dress, Dionysus medium embellished coated canvas shoulder bag and leather platform pumps, all by Gucci, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, «Tribale» earrings by Dior and Tonda 1950 Set Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

The private dinner before the party took place at the gardens of Bâoli right next to the marquee especially set up for the occasion at Port Canto on the Croisette.

In a splendid luxurious setting filled with colourful and tropical flora and fauna, next to the models wearing Chopard’s latest Red Carpet creations and vividly coloured gowns by Elie Saab, Caroline Scheufele welcomed guests to her private dinner party.

Diana Ross rocking the stage.

With Kendall Jenner at the private dinner.

I hope you enjoyed my first impressions from this years’ film festival. More coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While filming for Spotlight in Cannes, I wore this new outfit by Louis Vuitton. Since Nicolas Ghesquière took the helm at the French Maison, there have been some amazing new looks and accessories. I fell in love with those sticker-print pieces, inspired by adhesive labels on vintage Vuitton luggage, the minute I spotted them on the runway.

My look: Sticker-print top, matching skirt, silk bandeau scarf and Petite Malle Monogram bag, all by Louis Vuitton, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Fashion lovers around the globe were drooling over the house’s new It-bag, the Petite Malle, a playful miniature take on the classic Vuitton trunk. How cute is it that the bag matches the print on my tee?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

For those who have missed it or don’t have the chance to watch Swiss television, here is the first Spotlight show moderated by me that was presented last Saturday. The episode is all about my favorite moments with Chopard in Cannes during the Film Festival. I interviewed Caroline Scheufele and supermodel Petra Nemcova. Have fun watching the show and stay tuned for all my impressions from the Côte d’Azur.

Caroline Scheufele of Chopard

Petra Nemcova before hitting the red carpet in Zuhair Murad

And don’t forget to like Spotlight on FACEBOOK! Your support would be extremely appreciated – a huge thank you in advance!

LoL, Sandra

Behind the scenes photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While being in Cannes for the 67th Film Festival, I visited Chopard‘s rooftop terrace at the Hotel Martinez to explore the stunning Haute Joaillerie Red Carpet Collection 2014. The glamourous stars of the Cinecittà studios in Rome inspired the breathtaking jewelry pieces Caroline Scheufele designed this year. 67 unique creations bring back the voluptuous beauty of the actresses who lit up the heyday Italian cinema of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Funnily enough, my outfit matched the decor and the amazing sapphires and diamonds perfectly. Isn’t that a sign?!

My look: Ruffle-trimmed striped ribbed-knit sweater and ruffle-trimmed polka-dot stretch-twill skinny pants, both by Emanuel Ungaro, blue suede fringe shoulder bag by Gucci and chunky turquoise suede sandals by Prada.

Here you see the highlight of the Red Carpet Collection 2014: the “Riviera” Necklace in 18ct white gold fully set with diamonds. This masterpiece required over 1000 hours of craftsmanship and totals over 100 carats of brilliant cut, marquise cut and rose cut pear shaped diamonds.

This amazing sapphire and diamond necklace doesn’t have a name yet. The lucky owner will get to baptize it. More from Cannes to be posted soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As you know, I spent a beautiful day on a yacht in Cannes with Chopard. I was very excited to be among the first ones to hear about the new partnership between Chopard and Happy Hearts Fund. A charity organization founded by supermodel Petra Nemcova after she had survived the devastating tsunami in Thailand in 2004. She had broken her hip four times and for many months it was unsure if she could ever walk again. She is definitely one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, from the inside and the outside!

And we had something in common, we both wore Dolce & Gabbana head to toe… (for all details of my look, please click here).

To raise money for her foundation, Chopard will launch this beautiful and delicate bracelet “Happy Baby” with a heart-shaped pink sapphire inside. An amazing present for a lady, girl, or baby. The beautiful piece of jewelry will be in stores in the end of June 2013 and will be sold for CHF 1000.-, of which CHF 250.- will go to the Happy Hearts Fund, that rebuild schools in areas devastated by natural disasters.What a gorgeous initiative!

That is a bracelet with heart – literally… enjoy some impressions from the yacht below!

Lovely pick-up for the yacht.

View from the tender before the arrival on board.

On board: My humble self, Caroline Scheufele, Artistic Director and Co-President of Chopard, Anna Netrebko, famous opera singer and Petra Nemcova.

Having fun with lovely Anna who wanted to have a picture with me because she loved my Ruota Carretto gold-plated tasseled clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana. What an honor!

A little photo shoot.

It looks lovely if you are wearing two or three bracelets together as seen on Petra.

Gosh, I wished all press conferences could be held like on a yacht next to a jacuzzi. Repeating myself, I love my job!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Tuesday, I was invited by Chopard to see the screening of “Behind the Candelabra” with Matt Damon and Michael Douglas who were both present. The “Montée des Marches” at the Palais des Festivals, the legendary black tie event, is something I will never forget. Being on the red carpet in Cannes feels very special. I was able to experience it already last year and if you are interested, have a look at the previous post by clicking here.

Since 1998, my host Chopard has been enjoying a true romance with the Cannes International Film Festival. To mark the 15th anniversary of this partnership, the watchmaker-jeweller organised several high profile events during the festival fortnight including a photo exhibition of the most beautiful onscreen kisses and the presentation of its new Haute Joaillerie Red Carpet collection that I will show you very soon on the blog. Chopard also crafted the Festival’s supreme award, the legendary Palme d’Or.

I hope you will like my little photo diary of the night including the most unforgettable moments like walking on the red carpet.

My look: Alias dress with Swarovski crystals and pound printed leather pouch, both by Mary Katrantzou, Janis leather pumps by Saint Laurent.

Model and actress Adriana Karembeu arrived at the same time like me.

Of course, the two leading actors of the movie “Behind the Candelabra”, Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, came last.

The American drama directed by Steven Soderbergh is about the life of pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas in his best role ever) and the secret affair he had with young Scott Thorson (Matt Damon). The movie is based on a true story, Thorson’s memoir, and unveils the excessive lifestyle of the performer and his intimate circle of friends, lovers, and businessmen. I have absolutely loved the film. Matt Damon and Michael Douglas perform amazingly. You experience the different stages of the gay couple’s relationship that they always kept behind closed doors as Liberace was not open about his homosexuality.

Standing ovations and a good laugh when Matt Damon hugged Michael Douglas intimately.

Later, the “Behind the Candelabra” after party took place at the Chopard Terrace at the famous Hotel Martinez in the presence of the movie cast and many other celebrities.

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Art Director of Chopard

What an honour to have a little chat with the famous Michael Douglas!

Exceptional soprano Anna Netrebko

Model and ex-girlfriend of Leonardo di Caprio Erin Heatherton is the new face of Chopard.

Rosario Dawson recognized me from the Montblanc Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch in Los Angeles last February. How sweet!

I had so much fun that night, thank you, Chopard, for that unforgettable experience and Valeria for taking all those photos of me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photo Palme d’Or: Courtesy of Chopard

While you are reading this, I am on my way to Cannes with Chopard for the 66th Cannes Film Festival. As some of you might remember, I had this amazing red carpet experience already last year as guest of Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweler. Since 1998, Chopard has been enjoying a true romance with the Cannes International Film Festival. 2013 marks the 15th anniversary of this partnership, and of course this is celebrated with several high-profile events, including a “In Love with Cinema” photo exhibition of the most beautiful onscreen kisses and the presentation of its new Haute Joaillerie Red Carpet collection.

What has truly caught my attention is the brand’ s new eco-conscious initiative. This year’s red carpet for the Cannes Film Festival is turning green. In a collaboration with ARM (Alliance for Responsible Mining), the sculptor of Cannes’ iconic Golden Palm trophy, Chopard, has joined Eco-Age creative director and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC), Livia Firth, wife to Colin, to create ’The Journey’, its journey to sustainable luxury, which already begins at the very start of the production chain and involves issues such as respectful sourcing and traceability of raw materials. Those entirely ethical Haute Joaillerie models will mark the Geneva-based manufacturer’s first Green Carpet Collection.

At the Green Carpet collection press launch: Fan Bing Bing, Livia Firth,Marion Cotillard, Caroline Scheufele, Colin Firth and Laura Bailey

The dazzling beauty of these two Green Carpet Haute Joaillerie models, a cuff bracelet and a pair of earrings in 18ct white gold, finely chased like lacework and entirely set with diamonds, is indeed an adventure in itself. Crafted by the jewelers, gem-setters, polishers and gold casters of the Chopard Haute Joaillerie workshops, they bear exquisite testimony to the exceptional know-how of the Geneva firm.

Stay tuned for many exciting posts coming up from Cannes soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard, © ARM

Recently, I visited the Chopard headquarters in Meyrin, that is very close to Geneva. The Swiss brand that is known for its luxury watches and high end jewelry was bought in 1963 by Karl Scheufele, owner of a manufacturing company of the same kind in Pforzheim, Germany. At this time, Chopard had four employees. The Scheufele family brought their knowledge and talents to Chopard and brought the company to what it is today. An established still family-owned business – with around 2.000 selling points around the world – that produces 75.000 jewelry pieces per year, and that makes the mechanical movements and all the gold used for the creations in-house. Today, Caroline Scheufele, a gemologist in charge for the precious stones buying and the exceptional creations, along with her brother Karl-Friedrich Scheufele run the business.

Me in front of the headquarters, wearing a dress and scarf by Gucci, coat by Etro, boots by Balenciaga and bag by Céline.

After a brief introduction, the lovely team showed me around the different manufacturing stations. The photos below are taken in  the room where the beautiful Imperiale collection is made. It is very impressive to see how much work, love for detail and craftsmanship go into one piece of jewelry. And of course, the best part was, when I was able to try the stunning valuables on. My nail polish and dress matched the rose gold and the cushion-cut amethyst of the Imperiale ring (REF : 829221-5039) perfectly.

The Imperiale collection is inspired by ancient embroidered patterns and decorative elements of the East. This pattern recalls the refined craftsmanship and elegant designs of empires past, and lends an exotic twist to the jewelry pieces.

On the way to my favourite part of the visit, I spotted the famous Palme d’Or designed and hand crafted every year in the workshops of Chopard. (Do you remember when I went with Chopard to the Cannes Film Festival last year, if not, please click here).

Chopard’s diamonds have dominated the Cannes red carpet since many years. The high jewlery collections, designed by co-president and artistic director, Caroline Scheufele, are truly breathtaking. Some of my favourites are the Precious Temptations and the Harrods Disney Princesses collections.

At the artisan atelier, I spotted also some made-to-order pieces like this absolutely amazing dog necklace. The goldsmith had several sketches of a dog’s physiognomy and produced a wax model before making the final piece. It is absolutely captivating to watch the passionate craftsmen at work.

The culmination of my imperial day with Chopard was a lunch at the famous Bayview restaurant at the Président Wilson hotel in Geneva. (Remember when I was there with La Mer. If not, please click here.) Such a treat prepared by one of the most famous chef in the world, Michel Roth (MOF and Bocuse d’Or – 1991) who served a feast for the eyes and culinary delight. The dessert in the shape of a ring was so cute. Thank you, Chopard, for that wonderful experience!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Chopard has created a very special new collection of Haute Joaillerie inspired by the iconic Disney Princesses in partnership with Harrods and the internationally renowned department store’s Disney themed Christmas celebration. For a previous post, please click here.

Last week, I visited Chopard’s headquarters in Meyrin/Geneva and saw those amazing pieces with my own eyes. Their beauty and craftsmanship are truly overwhelming. Stay tuned for a detailed post of my visit to be posted soon.

Caroline Scheufele has interpreted the key characteristics of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Tiana by designing ten unique and exceptional Haute Joaillerie pieces unveiled at the Chopard boutique at Harrods.

The Disney Princess Collection by Chopard will be shown exclusively at Harrods until January with all of these one-off pieces available for sale.

Enjoy the photos below!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard, Harrods and © Sandra Bauknecht