Sandra‘s Closet

Summer florals are nothing new in fashion, but this year one particular flower is taking over: the orchid. I have fallen in love with Zimmermann‘s flourishing, vibrant interpretation.
Enjoy this trend in full bloom.

My look: Corsage orchid-print linen-blend midi dress by Zimmermann, embellished lace-up suede pumps by Dolce & Gabbana, Nina leather tote in cognac by Gabriela Hearst, large butterfly sunglasses by Prada, bracelets by Chanel, Tortue 18-karat rose gold, alligator and diamond watch by Cartier, Diorette ring and earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Being stylish and comfortable is the goal for my everyday style. My advice? Take your comfy casual look to comfy chic by adding a well cut jacket and some eye-catching accessories.

My look: Melissa satin-trimmed wool tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, Heathers floral-print linen cropped top and Heathers floral-print linen high-rise wide-leg pants, both by Zimmermann, leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, left Medusa Tribute gold-tone hair slide and crystal charm black sunglasses, both by Versace, alphabet necklaces, all by Celine, and cable shopper small leather tote by Balenciaga. Tank Française 18-karat gold and stainless steel watch and diamond ring, both by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, is August 1st, Swiss National Day, the date on which three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation in 1291, an act which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland. It is celebrated everywhere in the country, as it always has been, with meetings in town squares, fetes, fireworks and bonfires.

I have been living in Switzerland now for over fourteen years and since March, I am also a proud double citizen, being German and now also Swiss.

I love the mountains, the lake of Zurich, the people, the food and of course the Swiss watches which are famous around the world. Therefore I thought that I dedicate today to some of the most iconic watchmakers.

Possession 34mm stainless steel, alligator and diamond watch by Piaget

L’Heure du Diamant 35.75mm 18-karat white gold, satin, diamond and mother-of-pearl watch by Chopard

Ballon Bleu de Cartier 33mm stainless steel and diamond watch by Cartier

Rendez-Vous Night & Day 34mm medium stainless steel, alligator and diamond watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre

Da Vinci Automatic 36mm stainless steel and alligator watch by IWC Schaffhausen

Enjoy your day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands

After São Paulo, my next stop was London this week. I love being in the British metropole where I stayed again at the COMO The Halkin. On my way to meetings, we took these photos right next to the hotel at Belgrave Square. Karl Lagerfeld said: «Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.» It is probably one of the only quotes, I disagree with. You just have to find the right ones … and who can resist a velvet tracksuit?!

Another trend I like is that headbands are not only back in style, but they’re cooler than ever. And sometimes it is good not to take fashion too seriously. If you don’t like to see me in sweatpants, just pull down your headband!

My look: Embellished velvet top, embroidered velvet trousers, and Rylee leather ankle boots, all by Chloé, studded leather headband by Prada, Oblique Saddle bag, and shoulder strap, both by Dior, necklaces by Chanel, and diamond earrings by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This week, Cartier presented its new jewellery signature line «Clash de Cartier» in Paris. English-Brazilian actress Kaya Scodelario is the face and captures the duality of this collection perfectly. She will next appear in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a film about serial killer Ted Bundy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released internationally on May 3rd.

The new collection shakes up the Maison’s aesthetic heritage of studs, beads and clous carrés. Together, they form a singular, ribbed mesh deriving from a clash of attitudes.

Jewellery that’s sharp? Yes, but soft to the touch. Geometric? Yes, but generously sized and feminine. Mechanical? Yes, as all of the pieces are assembled yet free to move. At its essence is opposition: bright, feminine curves and soft contours are contrasted with the nervous tension of a taut structure.

Clash de Cartier possesses an innate sense of proportion that draws on pure Cartier style. In volumes and reliefs, circles and squares, the collection honours the Maison’s penchant for geometry which dates back to the 1930s.

A classic style? No! It’s neo-classical, singular, unisex, whimsical. Bright, flowing, pulsating, Clash de Cartier breaks up the conventional architecture of shapes. The studs are held in place but free to move. This subtle motion entices light to flit and flicker; the metal seems softer. Crafted in 4N pink gold, the rings can be stacked and layered in all versions.

Behind the clean lines and even spacing, Clash de Cartier is a highly complex feat of craftsmanship.
How are the studs interconnected yet mobile? The ingenious articulated mechanism was entirely developed by the jewellery workshops. Each element is mounted and polished. Each step calls for a new technique, just the right tool.

The Clash de Cartier piece is precisely calibrated to magnetise the forces, to hold the studs in place. The buff-top domed clous carrés are finished with a bright polish that is produced over a series of operations. In a final sophisticated touch, the inside of each piece is delicately scalloped for comfortable wear.

In stores now, for more information about the collection and the movie, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier 

Whenever I get back from Paris Fashion Week, I am filled with amazing memories and captivating encounters that I cannot wait to share with you. Here you see me after a fabulous lunch at Le Girafe , located at Place du Trocadéro. Always with me my LA MER Concentrate…

Great news for my Swiss followers. The promo code sandralamer has been extended until April 30, 2019 due to popular demand. If you spent more than CHF 150, you will receive a LA MER Pouch with a Deluxe Soft Cream 7ml (CHF 45.00) and a Deluxe Cleansing Foam 30ml (CHF 30.00). PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ONLINE SHOP DIRECTLY.

My look: Manray leather-trimmed shearling jacket by Altuzarra, cropped jacquard-knit cardigan, and striped pink bow tie blouse, both by Balenciaga, stretch-knit mini skirt by Alaïa, stretch-suede over-the-knee boots, patchwork belt with snake head buckle, and crystal-embellished cat-eye acetate sunglasses, all by Saint Laurent, «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel, diamond earrings by Cartier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. It’s about making the mental shift that will allow you to power through whatever life throws at you. Start each day with an unstoppable attitude to succeed and try to stay motivated throughout the day, regardless of circumstances. Put on a look that you feel confident in and defy the odds against you. I love my new Dior pieces that make me feel extremely good and the coat adds the right amount of color to cheer up the day.

My look: Green oversized cashmere trench coat by Loewe, cream white cashmere sweater with bee embroidery, printed voile cotton skirt , Saddle calfskin belt, Oblique Saddle bag, shoulder strap, and J’adior earrings, all by Dior, Rockstud cut out leather combat boots by Valentino. Diamond heart necklace in yellow gold and Amulette necklace, both by Cartier, Jardin de Milly La Forêt daisy necklace and Mitzah ring, both by Dior Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Personally speaking, SIHH in Geneva, the famous Swiss watch trade fair, is one of the most enjoyable events of my yearly must-dos. Nevertheless, a lot has changed during the past years. In 2020, the so-called Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie will take place in May right after Baselworld. It makes sense especially for all the visitors from abroad to come only once to Switzerland.

This year, Van Cleef & Arpels decided not to be exhibiting due to the little business the brand has with retailers and distributors. Two other luxury watch brands, Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, are leaving next year for similar reasons. It seems that most of the prestigious watch companies are dealing more and more directly with their consumers.

Happy Sandra after seeing Audemars Piguet’s amazing high jewellery watch Sapphire Orbe (a detailed post to follow).

In the meantime others joined the exhibition for the first time, for example Bovet, known for their handmade watches with artistic finishes and highly complicated movements. In addition, Breitling and Bucherer recently became members of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), which manages SIHH. This might be the first step in replacing Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet for 2020.

Still trending: Colourful straps as seen at Piaget, Cartier and Audemars Piguet.

But most importantly what will we wear in 2019? Cuff watches, tourbillons, dial sets with miniature paintings, skeleton movements, shaped cases and still lots of celestial influences… Below are some of my favorite ladies’ watches revealed during the 29th Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie.

AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked
A watch that is brilliant in every way.
White “frosted gold”, 37mm, manual winding manufacture skeleton movement with a rainbow magic of its 32 baguette-cut sapphires (2.24 carats). MY FAVORITE!

RICHARD MILLE RM 37-01 Kiwi
Fancy a little watchmaking sweetness to help you through the winter?
Colored Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT, 34.400 x 52.30mm, self-winding mechanical movement, limited edition (30 pieces)

ROGER DUBUIS Excalibur Shooting Star
The coolest booth for the fastest girls in the world.
Pink gold set with diamonds, 36mm, flying tourbillon, skeleton manual winding movement.

PIAGET Possession Cuff Watch
A booth filled with sand for a little time out at the beach – a perfect backdrop to show the expert application of gold-working, a skill for which the brand is historically famed.
Pink gold set with 162 diamonds, 29mm, gold Milanese mesh strap.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE Rendez-Vous Moon Jewellery
One the sky is the limited. Nature played an important role at Jaeger Le-Coultre.
White gold case with mother-of-pearl dial and polished rhodium-plated appliqués, diamonds ~168 (~3.43 carats), calibre : 925B/1.

CARTIER Baignoire Allongé
Women are in for a treat at Cartier. Part of the Maison since 1912, the Baignoire features an ellipsis-shaped dial and  earned its unusual name in the late 1950s thanks to its strong resemblance to a bathtub.
Extra-large model, pink gold, dial set with brilliant-cut diamonds (293 diamonds,~1.50 carats), dark alligator leather strap, manual movement 1917 MC.

During the next days, I will show you much more as the most distinguished models deserve their own post, don’t you think? Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Some Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

CARTIER HAS CREATED AN EXCEPTIONAL HIGH JEWELLERY PARURE COMPOSED OF A RARE ENSEMBLE OF 14 EMERALDS FROM COLOMBIA.
In 1975, Cartier created a necklace for the Mexican actress María Félix that went down in history: two fully articulated crocodiles, one paved with emeralds and the other with yellow diamonds.

The original crocodile necklace created for María Félix in 1975.

The same artisan sculptor behind this historic design was involved in the creation of the new jewellery set. Based around 14 cabochon-cut emeralds from Colombia totalling 46.45 carats, these exceptional gems feature remarkable consistency in terms of quality, colour and shape and are further enhanced by a series of emerald beads in the same intense shade of green.

Cartier High Jewellery necklace (H7000289), bracelet (H6023516), ring (H4345200), earrings (H8000448), white gold, diamonds, emeralds.

THIS CREATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY NECKLACE ORDERED BY MARÍA FÉLIX.
This strikingly realistic reptile, with a powerful body, legs that are ready to move, and an emerald gaze, is distinguished by its protective yet predatory attitude. The design of the four pieces which make up this collection is true to Cartier’s tradition of naturalism: with a single feature, the ridges on  the reptile’s back.
Stretching out towards the tail, the pieces can be wrapped around the neck, the wrist or the finger, or be suspended as a pair of pendant earrings. The animal’s legs, like its scales, have been specially designed to feel comfortable against the skin.
Through the design and lines, the jewellery artisans have created a dynamic, lively shape that demonstrates their unique expertise.

1,875 HOURS OF WORK WERE REQUIRED TO CRAFT THE NECKLACE, AND 1,019 FOR THE BRACELET.
A nod to a legendary Cartier necklace that today has been presented around the world through the Cartier Collection’s exhibitions, this necklace perpetuates the long tradition of High Jewellery at Cartier based on one of its iconic themes, its menagerie, in a stunning exercise in craftsmanship and style.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier

A trip into the blue… from one location to the other. This is what I love – finding unexpected little places, beautiful hotels and exploring new territories. Here you see me on the rooftop terrace of the Hotel de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the South of France. With only 7 rooms, it is a real treasure in the city center.

My look: Patchwork cotton top and patchwork asymmetrical-hem skirt, both by Loewe, DiorClub2 D-frame acetate sunglasses by Dior, Pixie small suede and textured-leather shoulder bag by Chloé, beaded leather sandals by Saint Laurent, faux-pearl tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, daisy necklace by Dior Fine Jewellery, Amulette necklace by Cartier, cuff by Chanel, Tonda 1950 Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht