Sandra‘s Closet

On Thursday evening, the Houses of CHANEL, FENDI (LVMH) and KARL LAGERFELD all came together at the Grand Palais in Paris to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld at a celebration designed, directed and staged by Robert Carsen.

The many facets of this extraordinary man were evoked through a tapestry of videos filmed throughout his life, interspersed with testimonials from people who knew him, as well as the generous «live» contributions of highly talented actors, musicians, dancers who interpreted some of the music and literature Karl loved so much.

Charlotte Casiraghi, H.R.H. Princess of Hanover, Andrea Casiraghi and Madame Emmanuel Macron paying tribute to Karl Lagerfeld.

Actresses Tilda Swinton, Fanny Ardant, Cara Delevingne and Helen Mirren, friends of Karl Lagerfeld, recited and read excerpts from works by his favourite authors, such as Virginia Woolf, Stéphane Mallarmé, Colette and Edith Sitwell.

Pianist Lang Lang at Karl Forever at the Grand Palais in Paris.

The extraordinary Jookin dancer Lil Buck, the brilliant violinist Charlie Siem (who played Paganini, one of the favourite composers of Karl Lagerfeld’s mother Elizabeth), Argentinian choreographer German Cornejo, accompanied by his troupe of 17 tango dancers and his 7-piece orchestra from Buenos Aires (Carlos Gardel was Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite singer and the tango was his favourite dance), the celebrated pianist Lang Lang (who played Chopin on the grand piano designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the 150th anniversary of Steinway), and American artist Pharrell Williams were also on stage to pay homage to the man who had deeply marked them and who was their friend.

The Steinway designed by Karl Lagerfeld on display.

These artists – as well as the 2,500 guests present at the Grand Palais to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld – were immersed in a spectacular exhibition of 56 giant enlargements of portraits taken throughout his life by some of the most famous photographers in a setting designed by Robert Carsen, inspired by Karl’s favourite colours: black and white enhanced with a touch of red.

In turn, the participants also paid tribute to the aesthete, this man of culture, photographer, creator… in an exceptional moment as grand as his talent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld, © Luc Castel and Julio Piatti

Since last year, barrettes have been trending crazily (for the previous post, click here please). But this season, hair clips with a message are making the humble hair accessory the piece of choice this party season. I mean, it’s not hard to see the charm in this trend, spotted everywhere on the streets of fashion week.

And who have we to thank for introducing this new frontier of self-expression? London designers are leading the party barrette trend. Ashley Williams’ diamante clips tap into the general mood of the fashionistas. Bestsellers this summer include the «fuck» and «witch» designs.

TO SHOP ASHLEY WILLIAMS HAIR CLIPS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Kitsch‘s collab with influential hairstylist Justine Marjan, is another one to watch and will literally make your hair scream «glam».

TO SHOP KITSCH x JUSTINE MARJAN HAIR CLIPS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

My personal must-have barrette screams CHANEL. Presented at the final collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld shown at Paris Fashion Week in the beginning of March, this incredible CHANEL pearl hair clip used by hairstylist Sam McKnight will surely be among «2019’s most Instagrammed accessories».

Crystal Interlocking G hair slide by Gucci

 Whichever word appeals to your personal truth, I can almost guarantee there’s a hair slide that says it. And if there is none, create your own. It is time for your statement hair!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This week, I followed CHANEL‘s invite to explore and celebrate the new J12 watch models first with a cocktail reception at the boutique on Bahnhofstrasse, followed by a flying dinner and party at at Barfussbar at Frauenbadi. With this beautiful weather finally arriving in Zurich, it was the perfect night for the occasion.

We were spoilt to bubbly champagne, great food, a water ballet show and experienced real magic when discovering the new watches. Later, we danced the night away.

Personally speaking, I have always been a big fan of the J12 watch, especially the white versions. the material is so resistant, you can play tennis or golf with it, it won’t break. Furthermore, the white colour doesn’t change after time. It stays as crisp white as from the beginning.

For the campaign, CHANEL invited nine muses to share their personal experiences about a second that changed their lives. Among them Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Ali MacGraw, just to name a few. Everything has always been about seconds for a House created by a woman who knew how to follow her instincts. The instinct of the moment when everything is decided.

The lovely CHANEL team

Whether it is the longest second of a lifetime on the day of an important decision, or preparing a soft-boiled egg with perfect culinary precision, catching an airplane or missing a taxi, our existence is a succession of milestones that are of no coincidence. The new J12 is the watch for these milestones, and the perfect accompaniment for every second.

Everything is a story of seconds for a woman who is in touch with her life and with this intimate timepiece that can shape destiny in a few seconds. The new J12 is the watch for this woman.
To find out more, click here please. And in the meantime, enjoy those perfect seconds of last night captured on the photos…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
#TheNewJ12 #ItsAllAboutSeconds #CHANELWatches

For 2019, Lucia Pica — CHANEL Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer — has created a collection inspired by female individuality and designed to encourage self-expression.
Eyes make the first impression: they need to reflect a woman’s character and convey her nuances, to amplify her personality rather than mask it.

«It is not about covering them; it is about beautifying them,» reflects Lucia Pica. «I am very attracted to style and character. I feel like women should still look polished, just not too overly done and old-fashioned.»

THE NEW «SECOND SKIN SMOKY»
4 HARMONIES, 3 PRODUCTS
Inspired by the «blurry» effect, and based on the three pillars of CHANEL eye products (LES 4 OMBRES, STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF, LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL), Lucia Pica has created four universal harmonies with a distinctive colour signature for all women, regardless of their level of makeup expertise. Four ways to dress a look in the most personal and intuitive way, with ease and freedom.

Each palette’s elegant colour combinations can be endlessly mixed and layered, by varying and blending shades and finishes. Their blurry effect creates a foolproof «second skin smoky» look.

LES 4 OMBRES – CHF 77.00 each
Four palettes designed to offer infinite results. Silky concentrated pigments gently glide over the eyelid, their emblematic shades universally appealing, their diffusive, blurry textures seamlessly blendable. On application, effects can range from natural definition to intense drama.

THE SHADES
318 Blurry Green a dusty antique gold; a satin golden green;
a warm rosy bronze; a deep dark green
322 Blurry Grey a smoky grey; a dusty platinum;
a deep aubergine; a matte stone beige
324 Blurry Blue a lightly rosy grey; a matte blue grey;
a taupe grey; an intense dusty blue
328 Blurry Mauve a terracotta tile red; a light dusty rosewood;
a bronze, satin taupe; a deep greyish lilac

LUCIA’S TIP
Playing with texture and finish ensures modern impact: when both lips and eyes are enhanced, keep the skin fresh for a contemporary finish.

STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF – CHF 35.00 each
A waterproof eye pencil created to enhance the eyes with intensity and depth. A retractable tip and integrated sharpener encourage easy and spontaneous use. Whether tracing the contour of the upper lash line for a natural effect, or thickening its application for sophisticated drama, the smooth, gentle formula offers profound impact.

THE SHADES
943 Brun Agapé a luminous bronze
944 Noir Énigmatique a sparkling blue grey
945 Black Wood a deep brown
946 Intense Teal a duck blue
948 Jungle Green a forest green

LUCIA’S TIP
For an effortless but dramatic effect, apply the liner a little heavier and smoke out the colour using a small brush, blending out and upwards. Then, re-apply liner close to the lashes for extra depth and definition.

LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL – CHF 48.00 each (limited edition colours)
The first ever 3D-printed mascara brush, LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL offers a revolution through its unprecedented precision and immediate, extreme volume. This uniquely high-tech innovation ensures perfect, even application with every stroke — and with no clumps in sight.

THE SHADES
17 Jungle Green an emerald green
27 Deep Eros a bright burgundy
37 Intense Teal a sparkling green blue
91 Volcan a deep blue grey

LUCIA’S TIP
Apply extra mascara to the centre of the lashes, and remove a little from the outer edges, for a wide-eyed effect.

In stores Mid June 2019.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

Espadrilles are a summer classic, a comfortable choice for exploring local markets on vacation or when you’re running errands back in the city. Today’s post is dedicated to the most sophisticated designer versions for the ultimate luxury.

Happy weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Red and black leather espadrilles by Chanel

Logo-embossed metallic leather espadrilles by Saint Laurent

Metallic intrecciato leather espadrilles by Bottega Veneta

Leather-trimmed floral-print canvas espadrilles by Gucci

Lauren scalloped suede espadrilles by Chloé

Kenda crochet-knit espadrilles by Castañer + Missoni

Tabitha leather-trimmed logo-detailed canvas espadrilles by Burberry

Canaee leather-trimmed denim espadrilles by Isabel Marant

Grosgrain-trimmed textured-leather espadrilles by Brunello Cucinelli

The Rockstud Double textured-leather collapsible-heel espadrilles by Valentino

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Saint-Tropez is definitely the place where the wild things are happening. After yesterday’s post about CHANEL’s ephemeral summer boutique in the picturesque Riviera hot spot, I thought you might like this outfit shot in the harbor last Saturday. CHANEL accessories are always a fashion-forward addition to create some pretty daring looks. Here you see me wearing some new S/S 2019 pieces combined with vintage ones that elevate the all black outfit into new heights.

My look: Feather cape by Balmain, Natalie keyhole mesh jumpsuit by Hervé Léger, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, mini boxy flap bag, lambskin belt with rhinestones, logo earrings, and pearl bracelet, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Black & White Photo: © Rian Davidson

My favorite way to fight the rainy weather last weekend in Saint-Tropez was a visit to CHANEL‘s seasonal summer boutique at the La Mistralée townhouse that is such an eye-catcher in an exclusive décor inspired by the codes and the spirit of the House. The S/S 2019 ready-to-wear collection, the COCO BEACH de CHANEL line, the accessories, the perfumes and pieces of jewelry and watches are displayed in a serene atmosphere bathed in natural light.

This season, CHANEL has chosen to combine classic interior design with ultra-modern furnishings. A floor paved with beige travertine welcomes the visitors and accompanies them with every step through the different spaces of the boutique. The unity of the floor is reinforced by a sense of infinity created by a game of antique mirrors positioned like high skirting boards, climbing walls painted in an understated white. Large black rugs contrast with this luminosity all while alluding to CHANEL’s signature black and beige two-tone.

On one side of the entrance hall, almost like a prelude, a lobby presents a selection of eyewear and perfumes. The following room opens onto two series of large frames in a rust-hued metal. Set up in a chevron pattern, they carry the elegant yet casual S/S 2019 ready-to-wear silhouettes, inspired by the theme of the beach. In the midst of these frames we find large mobile panels, also in rust-coloured metal and double sided: their perforated plates dressed with a diamond quilting on one side and a mirror on the other.

Bathed in sunlight, the conservatory is home to the accessories, the bags and the shoes of the season. As if in a dressing room, two large cabinets furnish the room. Quilted and perforated, through the transparency you can guess at the accessories displayed there: their shadows encouraging you to open each door and to peacefully discover each accessory. A blue suede sofa, poufs in tweed or suede are there for comfortably trying on the summer mules and sandals. Finally, several alcoves exhibit the CHANEL watches, including the J12 and the BOY.FRIEND watch as well as one of CHANEL’s iconic jewelry lines: the COCO CRUSH collection.

The garden at the La Mistralée is a veritable haven of tranquillity. Large black and white rugs are installed around the swimming pool. A long bench and big scatter cushions in black, navy and white tweed are an invitation to enjoy some farniente. Chairs, tables and big poufs in tweed covered with cushions in leather add to this ambiance of summer-time lounging. The pool house, painted entirely with a layer of thick blue rendering, illustrates a Mediterranean summer. Inside, the white walls, the blue of the floor and the floating lacquered furnishings, as well as the resin console tables all add their nuance to this palette caught between the sky and the sea. Here, once again, a dressing room has been installed: its sophisticated drawers opening to reveal pieces from the COCO BEACH de CHANEL collection, swimsuits, espadrilles as well as straw hats…

Like a breath of air in the heart of the effervescent village of Saint-Tropez, the new CHANEL seasonal boutique embodies all the relaxed elegance of the House, serene and radiant beneath the Riviera sunshine.

CHANEL’s seasonal boutique in Saint-Tropez will remain open until October 2019.
CHANEL BOUTIQUE
1, avenue du Général Leclerc
83990 Saint-Tropez, France
+33 4 94 49 07 47
Monday to Sunday: 10am – 1.30pm / 3.30pm – 8pm (4.30pm to 9pm in July and August)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL / Marie Liskay

First seen on the runway of the F/W 2019 ready-to-wear collection created by Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard, CHANEL presents a new bag: the CHANEL 19. An important number for the House, an echo of famous creations, but also a birth year.

CHANEL 19 for 2019, a baptismal name that pays tribute to its elder, the 2.55 bag, created in February 1955 by Mademoiselle Chanel.

The CHANEL 19 bag bears the essence of the House and all of its codes. Available in three sizes, this rectangular flap bag is swathed with large diamond quilting on leather or on tweed. A metal chain interlaced with leather comes in a trio of finishes, its links passing successively from silver to aged gold to ruthenium. A signature of the CHANEL bags, it also features another code of recognition: the double C fastener, in an XL format on all the designs.

With an ultra-supple structure, the CHANEL 19 adopts a resolutely modern attitude: the length of its chain means it can be worn in two ways, straight or cross body. There’s also a large curb chain in gold metal to be held in the hand. A belt bag version allows the CHANEL 19 to be worn around the waist. A practicality in the pure spirit of CHANEL: natural, elegant and functional, appropriated according to one’s movements.

For its first season, the CHANEL 19 takes on the dominant colours of the F/W 2019 ready-to-wear: added to the leather in its timeless colours of black, beige and white are turquoise blue, green, deep red and dark pink, while the tweed comes in eight variations to match the silhouettes of the collection.

The CHANEL 19 bag weaves a veritable link between the past, the present and the future. Immediately identifiable but without ostentation, rich in detail with masculine/feminine accents, multiple ways of being worn, it is instantly seductive thanks to an allure that is both sophisticated and relaxed. The obvious way to carry it, combined with its elegant, practical and comfortable line make it a day-to-day companion. An ally to be taken everywhere, one that liberates movement, tout simplement.

Below you can enjoy a preview of the CHANEL 19 bags for Cruise 2020… so many beautiful options!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL – #handbagCHANEL19

This is my outfit I wore for my speech at the Creative Women Conference. Taking photos outside the newly opened Parklane Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Limasso was really hard as the wind was blowing in full force. I wanted to show you how beautiful this floral dress looks in the back as it has draping inside that lifts the fabric like a curtain.

My look: Cropped knitted cardigan by Alaïa, gathered floral-print cotton-poplin gown by Alexander McQueen, red suede belt by Yves Saint Laurent, platform leather pumps by Gucci, magazine-print leather pouch by Balenciaga, and white camelia sunglasses by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, my all-time favorite red carpet event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the Met Gala 2019. Personally speaking, this year’s exhibition theme: «Camp: Notes on Fashion», based on an essay from 1964 by the late Susan Sonntag, delivered a bout of wild, over-the-top fashion moments. It was like a playground to dress up for all fashion aficionados.

Even the hostess went gaga: Anna Wintour in an embroidered Chanel gown with feathery cape.

If you seem confused… in this case, camp is not to be mistaken as in sleeping bags and tents, but camp as in exaggerated fashion. Sonntag’s essay, that provides the framework for the exhibition, defines camp as «love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration» and examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 9 – September 8, 2019.

This was her theme! Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell changed her outfit four times!

Co-hosted by two fashion-loving celebrities: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles and sponsored by Gucci. What do you want more?

The exhibition itself is featuring both men’s and womenswear, over 200 pieces of fashion, along with sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the 17th century through today. The works of versatile designers from Alexander McQueen to John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo to Mugler, Mary Katrantzou to Jeremy Scott, and more are featured. What I have seen so far, among the exhibited items are many pieces that also hang in my closet. I couldn’t be more proud of my collection…

Before the Hollywood royalty and fashionistas presented themselves on the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum, they met in the nearby «The Mark». The hotel is the venue for Anna Wintour‘s «pre-party» of the glamorous event every year. Definitely the place to stay!

Below are my favorite looks of the night… enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

My favorite outfit! My favorite reveal! Thierry Mugler himself is back, now called Manfred, and envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping. This latex dress took 8 months to make and is for me a true innovation on the runway!

Reminiscent of the Gucci runway: Jared Leto with his beheaded doppelganger

OMG! To die for! Cardi B in Thom Browne

Looking sensational: Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

She looked like a young Linda Evangelista in the ’90s: Bella Hadid in Moschino.

Harry Styles in Gucci

In keeping with the evening’s theme of camp, Ezra Miller turned up with the most outstanding optical illusion. His attire? Custom Burberry by Riccardo Tisci.

All about hats: Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano.

I love pink, I love Barbie and I love this: Multi Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves channeled a true fashion icon, Barbie, in Moschino.

Colorful: Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry.

Stunning Gemma Chan in and with Tom Ford. Best accessory: having the designer at your side.

Katy Perry in a chandelier dress by Moschino.

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta

What an entrance! Billy Porter wore a custom-made sun god outfit by New York City-based designer duo The Blonds.

Blue hair, don’t care: Lucy Boynton in Prada.

I loved this. What a Cinderella moment for Zendaya. Sporting a glowing, Disney-esque gown designed by Tommy Hilfiger, and accompanied by her stylist Law Roach who transformed with the wave of a wand Zendaya’s dress into a glowing ensemble. She even left a glass slipper.

Lily Collins opted for an ivory ruffled gown which featured a flowing train by Salvatore Ferragamo. Very ’60s – very sweetheart.

Fresh off the Couture Week runways, Hailee Steinfeld sparked in Viktor & Rolf slogan couture gown. It was a perfect match as Anna Wintour had forbidden cameras, iPhones inside the event…

This was by far my favorite Met Gala of all and I cannot wait to see the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images