Sandra‘s Closet

Inspired by travelling, the CHANEL Cruise 2020 collection focuses on a silhouette in motion, powerful and yet delicate. Comfort, functionality and elegant simplicity form the basis of this allure that nothing can hold back. And to accessorise it, Virginie Viard has imagined a shoe that shakes up the lines of a great CHANEL classic: the two-tone pump.

Fastened with a strap, perched on a 7cm or 9cm conical heel with a pointed toe, this patent leather pump comes in various two-tone colour combinations with black as the common denominator. The blue, pink, red and purple all add a touch of pop to this shoe which also exists as a bootie.

Their form and carefully studied duo of colours respond to each silhouette of the collection, imbuing them with a modern allure and distinct elegance, from morning through to evening.
As a discreet signature, the white lacquered double C is positioned just below the ankle.
Extremely comfortable, this new pump fits the foot perfectly. The stability of its heel speaks of a long-distance journey, to come and go as one pleases, in complete freedom.

Gabrielle Chanel used to say of shoes: «they are the height of elegance.» With this pump, Virginie Viard revisits CHANEL’s emblematic two-tone shoe and reaffirms the vision of its founder.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
#CHANELCruise

This November, CHANEL is expanding LES EXCLUSIFS collection with the GENTLE OIL (Huile Douce), a delicate and sensorial oil for the hair and body that you shouldn’t miss and I will tell you why. In the cold season, our skin and hair are both suffering from the dry and freezing temperatures. Oil seals in moisture and adds extra nourishment.

With an elegant and sensual touch, the GENTLE OIL is pure luxury and embellishes the skin and hair while leaving a discreet, fresh and citrusy trail with floral notes of jasmine against a backdrop of white musks, making itself discreet and gives a voice to the fragrance of your choice in perfect harmony. It moisturizes the skin, thus prolonging and intensifying the scent of each LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL creation, or needless to say any other perfume you love wearing, while remaining true to the fragrance.

The light, caressing texture of the GENTLE OIL envelops the skin in a silky satiny veil. Its formula boasting 80% ingredients of natural origin is extremely compatible with the skin, instantly absorbing upon application without leaving an oily film. To heighten the pleasure, I recommend mixing a few drops into your favorite body cream, in my case the FRESH BODY CREAM by CHANEL. The GENTLE OIL can also be applied on hair (down the length of the hair before shampooing or on dry ends as a finishing touch) leaving it softer, shinier and suppler. The bottle is iconic and beautiful, decorating every bathroom shelf by itself.

LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL GENTLE OIL Body & Hair will be available as 250ml bottle for CHF 190.00 from beginning of November 2019.

In Switzerland at the CHANEL Boutiques in Zurich and Geneva, at  CHANEL Parfums & Beauté at Bongénie in Geneva and CHANEL Space Parfums at Jelmoli in Zurich and Manor in Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Last Friday, I arrived in my happy place which is my old hometown Munich. Before the official start of Oktoberfest on Saturday, I went out with friends on Friday night wearing this quite daring dress. Unfortunately, it is always hard to find someone who is not only willing to take some photos and but also capable of doing so. This time, it was obviously a difficult task:-) – men can be so uncooperative – but I hope that you still enjoy this post.

My look: One-shoulder satin-trimmed crepe mini dress and feather cape, both by Balmain, black calf leather lace up Janis pumps by Saint Laurent, Satin Touch 20 denier stay-up stockings by Wolford, black and white grained leather bag with gold-tone metal details and single earring, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

CHANEL will present its Cruise 2021 collection, created by Virginie Viard, Artistic Director of the Fashion collections, on Thursday May 7th, 2020, on the island of Capri in Italy.

From the 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel offered her clients lightweight and comfortable designs for yachting, coastal resorts, spa towns and other various sunny destinations such as the Riviera and the Lido beaches in Venice.

Capri’s seasonal CHANEL boutique will be open until October 20th 2019.

Since 2000 and under the impetus of Karl Lagerfeld, the CHANEL Cruise collection has become a much-anticipated rendezvous. CHANEL was the first House to introduce an actual runway show for its Cruise collection which invites us to travel around the world. It will be the first time the fashion house has presented a resort collection outside of Paris since 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

Last weekend, I was invited to a birthday party in Fribourg with the dress code «Choose a Quentin Tarantino Movie Character». The possibilities are versatile but one that I truly liked and that looks great in daily life is the style of Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) in Pulp Fiction. The 1994 movie is known for its many twists, but most poignant of all is her dance with Vincent Vega (John Travolta). It’s in that scene that Mia sports the outfit that has inspired one of the most popular Halloween costumes of the last two decades, with a white button down shirt as the quintessential piece combined with black cropped pants.

My look: Bandage flared pants by Hervé Léger, cotton-poplin shirt, sequined gun shoulder bag, and Janis suede platform pumps, all by Saint Laurent, Petit Jardin embroidered stretch-tulle underwired bra by La Perla, and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

You’ll never watch that scene the same way again when I tell you what else made it so iconic for a fashion lover. It was the nail polish on Mia’s fingers. First debuted at the F/W 1994 CHANEL show, Le Vernis Rouge Noir made its screen debut in Pulp Fiction 25 years ago. Until today, the hue is still one of the most coveted—and questionably duped—color in both fashion and beauty history.

I really like this hair style (the wig is from atop.ch). What do you think? Time to get a new hair cut?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

In 2019, COROMANDEL lends itself to a new variation and inspires the eighth Parfum in the LES EXCLUSIFS DE CHANEL collection. Darker and more intense, this new interpretation of COROMANDEL exalts the opulence of its oriental-woody trail.

A true exercise in perfuming style, the creation of a parfum requires an intimate understanding of the original fragrance in order to accentuate the most characteristic features and thus intensify its olfactory signature. From the richly woody oriental fragrance COROMANDEL, Olivier Polge, Perfumer Creator for the House of CHANEL, chose to magnify the dark and smoky facets with a special focus on three raw materials that are key to its identity. Frankincense is heightened to give the Parfum a vibrant and vertical power that builds upon contact with the skin. A more concentrated quality of labdanum fully reveals the smoky and leathery accents of its ambery note. Lastly, a densely textured, velvety benzoin gives the COROMANDEL Parfum trail a warm and captivating depth.

Inside Coco Chanel’s apartment: her beloved coromandel screens.

A bolder expression of the COROMANDEL personality, the Parfum is an even greater evocation of the lacquered screens that lined the walls of Gabrielle Chanel’s private apartment. Intense and mysterious, its dark woody trail recalls the deep shades of these luxurious objects from the Orient, with which it shares an exotic elegance and exquisite refinement.

LES EXCLUSIFS COROMANDEL Parfum 15 ml for CHF 274.-
Available in Switzerland from Mid September at CHANEL Zürich, Geneva, Bongénie in Geneva, Jelmoli Zurich, and Manor Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of CHANEL

Any pet lover will say that life just seems better with a dog. The furry friends keep us company, entertain us, comfort us, protect us, and seem to make life fuller and more complete. I grew up with a dog and I still remember those beautiful years at his side. Today, I cannot pass a dog without a little cuddle. Henry kept me company while taking the photos of this floral-print linen outfit that is one of my favorites at the moment.

My look: Goldie cropped ruffled floral-print linen top, Goldie floral-print kick-flare linen trousers, and floral-print cotton visor, all by Zimmermann, Marmont fringed logo-embellished metallic cracked-leather pumps by Gucci, logo earrings, side packs in yellow, and  yellow logo cuffs, all by Chanel, «Mitza» ring by Dior Fine Jewellery and cat eye metal mirrored sunglasses by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

With this outfit post, I would like to invite you to explore the Net-à-Porter x Zimmermann capsule collection of luxe bohemian pieces sure to evoke wanderlust like this paisley print dresses with cut out details. Find everything you need for the perfect transitional wardrobe. I wore recently to a night out with one of my beloved girlfriends.

My look: Fringed wool-jacquard cardigan by Etro, Eyes on Summer cutout printed cotton and silk-blend chiffon maxi dress by Zimmermann, waist bag with chains and pearls by Chanel, Bianca leather sandals by Saint Laurent, gold-tone necklace with shell charms, gold-tone and shell choker, long gold-tone and shell necklace, and gold-tone and shell earrings, all by Isabel Marant.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It’s the ruching on those leather belts that gives them a vintage charm without losing sight of the respective brand’s leatherworking history. The finishing touch on so many of the latest runway pieces, it is the perfect way to temper a billowing dress or oversized blazer. Use it to define the waist for a smart occasion, the choice of the buckle is all yours…

LoL, Sandra

Green ruched leather belt by Gucci

Black ruched leather belt by Gucci

White ruched leather belt by Bottega Veneta

Black ruched leather belt by Bottega Veneta

White ruched leather belt by CHANEL

Gold ruched leather belt by CHANEL

Black ruched leather belt by CHANEL

Black ruched leather belt by CHANEL

Black ruched leather belt by Dolce & Gabbana

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
Photo in the collage: © David Biedert Photography 
(For the complete outfit post, click here please).

«Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.»
Gabrielle Chanel

«Noir» and «Blanc,» the CHANEL absolutes, made elegant, timeless and iconic by Gabrielle Chanel and still the enduring signature of her House today. For F/W 2019, black and white, the ultimate symbolic (non) colours of CHANEL, are explored and reinterpreted by Lucia Pica, CHANEL Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer, for a stylized and sumptuous beauty collection.

From the formalized and abstract to the silken and sensuous, Lucia Pica infuses her new approach to these power colours of CHANEL with both an appreciation of their transcendent absolutism and an eye for the nuanced gradations of the spaces in-between.

In tune with the Modernist architectural and cultural environment of Paris, part of the embracement by CHANEL of black and white could be seen as a reflection of her time; the ebony and ivory of Art Deco interiors, the delineated graphic lines of the Moderne, the stylized photographic and cinematic images that proliferated, even those images of Mademoiselle herself… It is while bearing all of this in mind that Lucia Pica has approached the ultimate graphic colours of CHANEL, both celebrating and humanizing them – literally making them flesh, for the contemporary consumer.

Lucia Pica now sees these colours from the life of Gabrielle Chanel as part of a manifesto for modernity in beauty for contemporary women. Embracing the aura of the silver screen and the silver print, particularly concentrating on the gradations of colour to be found within these processes, sepias, greys and new «Rouge Noirs» emerge. Sparkling, shimmering textures add an all-over glow of glamour, while delineated and structured mattes make a more direct appeal. Altogether, the collection is a meeting of fantasy and reality, the stylized with the organic, a perfect harmony of absolutes.

«Black and white are the colours I relate most to Gabrielle Chanel; the time she lived in, the power she gave these colours, the way they appeared in her life. Black and white were in her surroundings, in the interiors, in the architecture of Paris as well as in the symbolism of her life.» Lucia Pica

LIPS
Rouge Allure Liquid Powder CHF 48.-
974 Timeless
978 Bois de Nuit
Rouge Allure Velvet Extrême CHF 48.-
128 Rose Nocturne (Edition Limitée)
130 Rouge Obscur

Rouge Coco Gloss CHF 39.-
814 Crystal Clear (Edition Limitée)
816 Laque Noire (Edition Limitée)

NAILS/HANDS
Le Vernis CHF 33.-
713 Pure Black (Edition Limitée)
711 Pure White (Edition Limitée)
Le Lift La Crème Main Galet 50 ml CHF 80.- (new!)
La Crème Main 50 ml CHF 64.-

EYES – The intense focus of the collection
Les 4 Ombres CHF 77.-
332 Noir Suprême (Edition Limitée)
334 Modern Glamour
Ombre Première Top Coat CHF 43.- (my favorites!)
317 Carte Blanche (Edition Limitée)
327 Pénombre (Edition Limitée)

Stylo Yeux Waterproof CHF 35.-
949 Blanc Graphique
88 Noir Intense (Repromotion)

Le Volume Ultra Noir de CHANEL CHF 47.-
90 Ultra Noir

FACE
Le Gel Pailleté CHF 60.-
(Edition Limitée)
A transparent shimmering gel

«There is an idea of extreme fantasy as well as reality in this collection, of something very stylized or delineated while embracing the day-to-day. There is a certain palpability to the texture; it is so real it becomes part of your skin. At the same time the sparkle hovers above it, becoming almost like an aura, a kind of glamour seen in films – LE GEL PAILLETÉ is very much about this.» Lucia Pica

The Noir et Blanc de CHANEL make-up collection will be available from end of August, 2019. The Le Lift La Crème Main (hand cream) will be available from beginning of September 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL