Sandra‘s Closet

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

Last night, I attended the gala dinner of the Creative Women Conference, held at the newly opened Parklane Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Limassol. My last days were filled with amazing conversations and encounters for which I am truly thankful. Before I will tell you more about this international conference for entrepreneurial women, I wanted to share my first outfit post from Cyprus. Lilac head-to-toe is a big trends for F/W 2019.

My look: Garcelle ruffled cotton-blend lace gown by Erdem, Amore bow belt
by Dolce & Gabbana, vintage lilac sandals and matching bag with butterfly clasp, both by Valentino, crystal embellished butterfly earrings by Miu Miu, and cuff by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In the mood for immediate boarding with CHANEL? For those who wish to discover LES EAUX DE CHANEL or travel with them by land, air or sea, the French Maison proposes an elegant set of the three eaux de toilettes PARIS-DEAUVILLE, PARIS BIARRITZ and PARIS-VENISE available in limited edition. Presented in 50ml bottles, they come with a jersey pouch bag and three postcards to send from one of your getaways.

PARIS-DEAUVILLE: essences of orange and basil, vivacious, elegant and
full of character.
PARIS-BIARRITZ: an invigorating scent like a splash of sea spray, bursting with top notes of grapefruit and mandarin, accompanied by a lily-of-thevalley accord.
PARIS-VENISE: a gentle vapor that brings the subtle promise of the Orient on the skin, through the presence of neroli softened by an ambery accord.

LES EAUX DE CHANEL Travel Set Limited Edition CHF 297.-
PARIS-DEAUVILLE Vaporisateur 50 ml CHF 99.-
PARIS-BIARRITZ Vaporisateur 50 ml CHF 99.-
PARIS-VENISE Vaporisateur 50 ml CHF 99.-

Available from the beginning of June 2019.

Yesterday, CHANEL‘s Cruise 2020 show took place in Paris and travel was very much on the Maison’s new artistic director Virginie Viard who wrote the next chapter in the history of the House that had been synonymous with Karl Lagerfeld for 36 years. Train tracks, but no train, the audience seated on wooden benches waiting to board the CHANEL Express. The ambiance, the invite, everything was more minimalistic than what we were used from Emperor Karl. Very cool though was the Belle Epoque café that carried the name «Le Riviera», reminiscent of CHANEL’s newest limited edition fragrance PARIS-RIVIERA, that resembled Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris.

Inside, guests were served a three-course lavish champagne lunch. CHANEL knows how to wet your appetite… enjoy the best looks below. A collection that I would call extremely beautiful yet not super exciting.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of CHANEL, via Instagram @chanel 

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

«PARIS-RIVIERA is a floral and luminous fragrance that reflects the joyful, sunny spirit of the Côte d’Azur in the 1920s.» – Olivier Polge

Launched in 2018, the LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection opened a whole new realm of olfactory sensations in the world of CHANEL fragrances : one of freshness and elegance in any situation. Woven with Sicilian and Calabrian citrus, these eaux de toilette invite you to travel, to escape without reason and sail away. With LES EAUX DE CHANEL, there is no need to go anywhere to savor the scent of faraway places on the skin.

Inspired by destinations dear to Gabrielle Chanel, and created by Olivier Polge in cooperation with the CHANEL Laboratory of Fragrance Creation and Development, LES EAUX DE CHANEL are adds a new destination: PARIS-RIVIERA. Rare and exclusive, the new motionless escape will be available for one year starting June 1, 2019.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel and Misia Sert

The mere mention of its name conjures up images of a coastline winding its way between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Bringing the promise of azure blue and dancing sunlight, the Riviera evokes an enveloping softness and the lazy days of summer. From the far south bordering Italy and Monte Carlo to the Var, artists and creators from around the world were drawn to this Mediterranean coast as early as the 1920s. Thanks to her friend Misia Sert who introduced her to Venice, the gateway to the Orient, Gabrielle Chanel began sojourning on the Riviera in 1920.

Gabrielle Chanel and Count Sala at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco.

She loved driving to Monaco with the Grand Duke Dimitri or travelling south on the Train Bleu, a means of transport made famous by Serge de Diaghilev who wrote a ballet by the same name and entrusted the costume design to Mademoiselle Chanel. She could often be found on the Côte d’Azur during the Roaring Twenties, one day on the Duke of Westminster’s yacht in Monte Carlo, another at her regular haunt, the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco, or at the Société des Bains de Mer resort
known for its legendary parties. Gabrielle Chanel also frequented Cannes, where she opened a boutique, and joined the painters and writers who flocked to Saint-Tropez, which was but a fishing port at the time.

Gabrielle Chanel at her villa «La Pausa»

But a little to the East, on the heights of Roquebrune, is where she chose to point her compass and have her villa «La Pausa» built. Mademoiselle oversaw every last architectural detail, and had olive groves and fields of lavender planted. She made it her permanent vacation home, where she entertained a number of celebrities such as Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dalí. There in her beloved southern France, Gabrielle Chanel wove a tapestry of moments suspended in time and joyful memories.

Her bathroom inside «La Pausa»

The fantasy-filled world of the Riviera inspired perfumer-creator Olivier Polge to compose a luminous and elegant fragrance. «The dream Côte d’Azur of the 1920s is what guided the development of this new fragrance,» explains Olivier Polge. «A sun-filled Eden that was a magnet
for artists. The flawless architecture of the villas in those days. The
bright and happy atmosphere of party nights…»

The perfumer noticed a remarkable lightheartedness in the pictures of Gabrielle Chanel surrounded by friends, her face upturned to the sun, and incarnated it with a fragrance of Mediterranean flowers bathed in fresh citrus. He teamed jasmine with a unique quality of neroli from the orange
blossoms found in the South of France. «For years, we have worked with a cooperative in Vallauris that distills orange blossoms grown in the region’s private gardens», recounts Olivier Polge. «The owners of bitter orange groves bring the petals picked from their trees to this cooperative to be processed on location. The local climate yields an extremely pure essence.»

Les Eaux de CHANEL collection: Paris-Deauville, Paris-Venise and Paris-Biarritz

The airy signature scent of the LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection is instantly recognizable on the skin: a refreshing veil of orange peel and petit grain. Then emerges the pairing of jasmine and neroli with enveloping fullness. Over time, an irresistible softness fuses with the floral impression : it is the work of benzoin balm and sandalwood. The PARIS-RIVIERA eau de toilette creates a snapshot of summer with a single spray. A promise of azure blue and sun on the skin. A one-way trip to a legendary Mediterranean coast.

Available in limited edition from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 at CHANEL stores and on chanel.com. Paris-Riviera Eau de Toilette Vaporisateur 125 ml for CHF 155.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, © Monte-Carlo SBM archives

Here is my outfit that I wore to the Gruner + Jahr Spa Awards in Baden-Baden. The photos were taken in the beautiful park of Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa where the cherry blossom trees were stunningly blooming going hand in hand with the arrival of spring.

My look: Off-the-shoulder ruffled silk-georgette dress by Giambattista Valli, Cassandre small suede shoulder bag, Bianca leather sandals, and python embossed leather belt, all by Saint Laurent, pearl earrings by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A long-time friend of the House of CHANEL and of the late Karl Lagerfeld, Pharrell Williams has signed a CHANEL ready-to-wear and accessories capsule collection for the S/S 2019 season.

With a rainbow palette, Pharrell Williams has imagined a line in the colours of optimism. In the spirit of street art, the musician appends his signature and his writing in the form of CC, N°5 and Coco embroideries and graffitis on a hooded sweatshirt, an oversize shopper and white sneakers with mismatched laces.

The collection was launched first in Seoul’s newly opened CHANEL store on March 28, 2019.

Pharrell Williams performing at the opening party in Seoul.

The artist combines his name with that of the House of CHANEL – CHANEL-Pharrell – on block colour t-shirts, short and long robes, rhinestoned costume jewelry, leather belts, terry towelling bucket hats, hip packs in suede, loafers that also come as mules, as well as rectangular-shaped, shield and round glasses with a pop attitude.

The singer and songwriter also has fun sharing a memory, that of a bet he made with a friend about a future collaboration with CHANEL: we find this story printed on the back of a long-sleeve t-shirt that comes in eight different colours.

CHANEL-Pharrell, obvious assonances, a creative affinity: discover this collaboration exclusively now in certain CHANEL boutiques around the world.

Personally speaking I like it a lot. Nevertheless it seems not very «CHANEL» to me and reminds me somehow a little bit too much of Gucci … but every brand has to find a new way to navigate through the possible bumpy times ahead and to secure new customer groups. Especially that the emperor had to leave his kingdom… the wheel of fashion is turning fast and you have to be creative to survive. And let’s be honest, Coco Chanel was a trendsetter. It’s in the DNA of the Maison!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of © CHANEL
#CHANELPharrell

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