Sandra‘s Closet

CHANEL and The Boat Race Company Ltd have announced the signing of a long-term partnership with CHANEL as Title Sponsor and official Timekeeping Partner. The 2025 event will become The CHANEL J12 Boat Race. 

The historic race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities was established nearly 200 years ago in 1829. It is the oldest major sporting event in the UK, with the dark and light ‘Blues’ crews of eight rowers pitted against each other on the River Thames every year in the Spring. 

The 2025 edition of The Women’s Boat Race and The Men’s Boat Race will take place on Sunday 13 April along the 4.25 miles of the Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake in London. The Boat Race is attended by over 250,000 spectators on the riverbank, broadcast live on the BBC, and watched by millions globally on television. It has become a treasured highlight in London’s sporting calendar. 

The long-term partnership is an expression of a shared philosophy, one of an uncompromising pursuit of excellence which relies on collective effort to succeed. Boat Race Day encapsulates the raison d’être of Oxford and Cambridge: to develop and showcase exceptional talent, in the same way the House of CHANEL supports outstanding creative expertise. 

CHANEL has had its roots in sport since it was founded in 1910. Inspired by sporting attire predominately worn by men of the time, Gabrielle Chanel was an active sportswoman herself and used materials such as jerseys, and tweeds and created trailblazing designs. These designs gave women the freedom of movement – to ride horses, cycle, and most importantly to choose how they dressed and who they wanted to be. 

CHANEL was the first luxury house to launch its own fragrance in 1921 and its own high jewellery collection in 1932. Decades later in 2000, CHANEL launched the iconic J12 unisex watch – the name inspired by the J Class 12-metre race boats from the early 20th century. 

The iconic J12 watch is produced in the ‘CHANEL Watch Manufacture’ in Switzerland and is powered by self-winding movements from the Swiss Manufacture Kenissi, co-owned by CHANEL. 

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
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Following some requests, this post is dedicated to everything «mini». Zurich weather is so beautiful at the moment, that we can finally sport the mini skirts again. For chilly evenings, sport them with a cropped denim jacket that adds a bit of an edge to every outfit.

My look: Cropped denim hooded jacket by Alaïa, check-pattern knitted crop top, and matching buttoned gingham knitted mini skirt, both by Balmain, LV Link square sunglasses by Louis Vuitton, Aevitas pointy stud leather platform pumps by Versace, small logo bag in burgundy (S/S 2023,Look 44), and ring, both by CHANEL, and gold-tone, enamel and faux pearl clip earrings, by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Back in sunny Zurich for a few days. My hometown is exceptionally beautiful as it is comes with a great mix of natural and urban landscapes. For this post I sported one of my favorite summer dresses this season together with my new CHANEL camera bag that I adore so much!

My look: Natura lace patch mini dress with cropped lace top by Zimmermann, sock booties with golden heels by Dior, camera bag in white by CHANEL, Courtney hat in sand and beige by Eugenia Kim, oval-frame gold-tone and tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses by Celine, and dotted shell gold-tone faux pearl clip earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Matching the temple in Mauritius … while driving around the Grand Baie area in the North, I passed the Tamil Surya Oudaya Sangam Temple, that is one of the oldest Tamil temples on the island. The temple is a riot of colours that can be visible even from a considerable distance. I had to stop and take pictures as my new pareo pants couldn’t gave been a better match.

Later, I enjoyed my time at the Constance Prince Maurice and indulged in their signature rum cocktail «Maurice de Nassau» at the hotel bar next to the white sand beach and tropical surroundings. The drink has an interesting combination of aged rum, coconut liquor, curry leaf, passion fruit puree, roasted pineapple juice and dried chili.

My look: Mila ruffled bikini by Maygel Coronel, red and white striped pareo pants by Loretta Caponi, wedge espadrilles by Castañer, wallet on chain by CHANEL, oval-frame gold-tone and tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses by Celine, and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl necklace by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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Pink love – strolling through the secret gems inside the Byblos Saint Tropez, from Moroccan-style fountains to hidden gardens, the famous hotel invites you to discover the charm of the South of France.

My look: Pink belted cardigan with dark blue trompe-l’œil effect (Look 12 S/S 2021), soft pink slip dress, Chanel 19 bag in rose leather, tweed ballerinas, choker necklace for AirPods, and three long pearl necklaces, all by CHANEL, and embellished heart sunglasses by Gucci.

Fragrance: Comète – LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie / Sandra Bauknecht
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Even that Johannesburg is presumably dangerous, walking around in Melrose Arch is pretty safe as it is gated and has a lot of security measurements. It has high-end shops, restaurants, and hotels. Given its premium status, it’s a fitting location for showcasing luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, as well as having the armoured car service dealer just across.

My look: Cropped knitted cardigan, Sahara cropped stretch-knit top, and jacquard-knit wide-leg pants, all by Alaïa, Kate 100 suede pumps by Christian Louboutin, wallet on chain, bag charm earrings, necklace with pink bag charm, chain belt with hoop bag charm, and round sunglasses, all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

For a fun day at Centre Court, I wore Polo Ralph Lauren’s classic, preppy style that aligns perfectly with Wimbledon’s traditional aesthetic.

My look: Wimbledon embroidered cotton-blend jersey bomber jacket, Wimbledon appliquéd embroidered cable-knit cotton vest, and chino cap in white and blue, all by Polo Ralph Lauren, dark blue sailor pants by Dior, pearl necklace, sunglasses, and tennis mini crossbody bag (Cruise 2023 runway), all by CHANEL, and white leather loafers by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

I am so excited to be back in Saint-Tropez soon. One shop I will definitely pay a visit to will be the CHANEL boutique that will once again take up residence in the heart of La Mistralée villa. In the wake of major renovation work under the direction of architect and long-time collaborator of the House, Peter Marino, this historic building will be transformed into a permanent showcase. Having hosted the CHANEL fashion collections in temporary settings every summer since 2011, the boutique will now open every year during the summer season to showcase the latest ready-to-wear collections, alongside leather goods, accessories, shoes and costume jewellery as well as a selection of watches and fine jewellery.

More than just a boutique, this setting feels like a holiday home. The façade, with its green shutters, cream-hued walls and anthracite-grey railings, blends the CHANEL codes with colours typical of Saint-Tropez. The summer villa and its conservatory open out onto a Mediterranean garden complete with a pool and pool house. A veritable invitation to sit back and relax under the Côte d’Azur sun.

This new Tropezian sanctuary has been redesigned to echo La Pausa, the villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin that was entirely imagined and decorated by Gabrielle Chanel, and which holds a special place in the history of the House. The whitewashed walls, stone staircase and carousel of photographs projected onto a giant screen, resonate with this iconic place. The cut-out mirrors are reminiscent of the legendary folded-mirror staircase at 31 rue Cambon as the spirit of CHANEL subtly infuses every space.

With the entrance hall dedicated to leather goods, accessories, scarves, costume jewellery and eyewear, the ground floor also houses an exclusive selection of timepieces, including the iconic J12, Première and BOY.FRIEND, and the COCO CRUSH, Camélia, Comète and N°5 jewellery collections. An exceptional conservatory welcomes the shoes. A unique chandelier, sunshades and original furniture combining pale toned fabrics and woven leather render the overall effect sublime.

The floor devoted to ready-to-wear can be reached either by a stone staircase or an all-glass elevator that plays with transparency and light. The S/S 2024 ready-to-wear collection as well as the 2023/24 Métiers d’art collection – unveiled last December in Manchester – are presented here. Two areas, each with a salon and dedicated fitting room, complete the ensemble. For an exclusive experience, one of them can be privatised. Hand-painted curtains cast a light, airy feel over the surfaces while bespoke rattan furniture, touches of powder pink and raffia create a warm ambiance in keeping with the spirit of Provence.

Works of art throughout the boutique recall the unwavering connection between the House and the art world. Several lion sculptures – referencing Gabrielle Chanel’s zodiac sign – a painting by Georges Noël, a coffee table by Agnès Debizet, two vases with a golden patina by Johan Creten, and eight ceramics painted by Pablo Picasso – a loyal friend to the couturière – all add to the poetry of the place.

Traversing the townhouse leads into the luxuriant garden, a peaceful haven of Mediterranean plants and ancient bricks. The pool tiled in specially made Italian glass mosaics and the powder-toned pool house showcasing the CHANEL COCO BEACH collection, reflect the essence of the French Riviera.
The CHANEL boutique in Saint-Tropez is an invitation to discover the world of the House against an idyllic backdrop where elegance encounters the art de vivre of the Mediterranean.

CHANEL Saint-Tropez
1 avenue du Général Leclerc
83990 Saint-Tropez
+33 (0)4 94 49 07 47
Open from Monday to Sunday, from 11am to 1:30pm and from 3pm to 7:30pm

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

The COCO BEACH collection is CHANEL’s unique expression of life by the coast. This season, the timeless stripes of Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved sailor top are reinterpreted with a new play on proportions, as big square sunglasses. Both lightweight and comfortable, this acetate design has a two-tone seventies vibe – peach and pastel yellow or pink and black – echoing the prints in the collection.

Caught between sea and city, this collection will be available in boutiques from June 2024.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Lights, camera, action! Introducing the new must-have for the summer season: meet the CHANEL Camera bag, a fresh addition to the S/S 2024 collection. While CHANEL has always been known for its iconic camera bags, this season brings a playful twist – a literal camera bag with a mirror in the lens. Seen on the runway in classic black, beige, white, and burgundy red, this fun design carries a touch of nostalgia. Featuring a timeless chain shoulder strap, the bag was showcased both crossbody and on the shoulder of runway models.

It’s one of the investment pieces you should get your hands on! I went for the white one… happy as a bug!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.