Sandra‘s Closet

Only Watch is a biennial charity auction of unique timepieces created by the finest brands for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It will be held in Geneva on November 9, 2019 for the 8th time. 40 million Swiss Francs were raised in the previous 7 editions with 99% of proceeds going directly to research projects of AMM, the Monaco-based association (Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies).

LOUIS VUITTON is taking part for the sixth consecutive time in Only Watch and presents a bold and unique piece: the «Escale Spin Time» watch with a dial inspired by tattoo art, that I don’t want you to miss as it is so beautiful.

Made using Grand Feu champlevé enamelling and painted by hand, the dial is a creation by Anita Porchet, one of the greatest independent enamellers in fine watchmaking. The dial required 200 hours of work and used two specific traditional techniques which are only mastered by very few artisans in Geneva: Grand Feu champlevé enamelling and miniature painting.

The dial is a white gold plaque, recessed by hand and covered with Grand Feu enamel. Three shades of enamel — black, turquoise and transparent — were selected to bring out the floral design. The choice of powders, the repeated layers, as well as the finesse of the grain meant that many hours of meticulous work had to be undertaken before the dial could go through a series of firings at 840°C.

Then came the miniature painting process. During this final stage, around ten colours were applied one after the other using a brush, each one requiring drying time in a furnace heated to 100°C.
The delicate design of the 18-carat white gold hand forms the stem of a rose on this dial, which is set with white diamonds and rubies. To mirror the exquisite beauty of the dial, the bezel, lugs, and 41 mm diameter case crown made of titanium and white gold, are also set with white diamonds.

The Escale Spin Time for Only Watch contains the LV79 caliber, which cleverly displays the time in a playful manner using rotating cylinders. Here, each cylinder is set with diamonds, a process which required 40 hours of work. The patented self-winding movement was entirely developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and highlights the expertise of Louis Vuitton watchmakers.

The exceptional creation is presented in a custom Monogram canvas watch case — also hand-painted — recalling the floral pattern of the dial. Finally, the watch also comes with four alligator straps — black, red, green and white — and is fitted with an 18-carat white gold ardillon buckle set with diamonds. The 2019 Escale Spin Time for the Only Watch auction is a delicate, technical object; a precious tribute to traditional and exceptional fine watchmaking craftsmanship.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Yesterday, I was invited by Montblanc to attend a lovely, very intimate lunch with caviar and champagne at their Arts & Artisanery lounge at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. The rooms of the suite are decorated so beautifully with artwork from the German house’s Cutting Edge Art Collection. Along with many celebrities, among them Emily Rossum, Billy Zane and Pat & Michael York, I had the honour to explore some of the amazing pieces from their high jewelry line, that will surely be seen tomorrow on the red carpet of the Oscars 2013.

My look: Neon stretch-crepe blazer by Antonio Berardi, printed cotton shirt by Carven, pleated wool-crepe mini skirt by Christopher Kane, 4810 hoop earrings by Montblanc, holographic faux leather pumps and matching faux leather clutch, both by Stella McCartney. (For more information on the holographic trend, please click here).

During lunch, I sat next to Pat and Michael York, who is famous for his roles in Cabaret, The Three Musketeers and Austin Powers, among many others. His wife Pat, a former editor of Vogue and Glamour magazine, and a passionate photographer, is a very captivating lady. With exhibitions all over the world, including one at Galerie Gmurzynska in Switzerland, her preferred  subjects are dissected cadavers. “I love the human body,” she explained to me. “It is so fascinating. Once you’ve looked under the skin, we all look the same. You feel how meaningless is all racial and religious prejudice.”

This unique piece from Montblanc’s Bouquet Collection is absolutely breathtaking. It features three blooming diamond studded roses and a gigantic star-shaped “Montblanc Diamond” and drapes comfortably around the neck.

Billy Zane with me. The actor is probably best known for his role as the arrogant Caledon Hockley, Rose’s fiancé in Titanic.

The bracelet and necklace from the Riviera Collection feature a cascade of briolette diamonds and a beautiful embellished closure.

Montblanc’s iconic Princesse Grace de Monaco Collection is a tribute to elegance. For the Pétales Entrelacés motif, the rose petals, in warm pink gold with or without diamonds pavé, are crafted in an intertwined way for rings, earrings, necklaces and braclets.

The last two days have already been so wonderful and I couldn’t be any happier to join Montblanc for the ultimate Oscar experience. I am off this morning to attend the Montblanc Signature for Good Charity Brunch at the Bel-Air hotel where many celebrities are expected and a gorgeous charity project will be presented. You can follow me on the official Montblanc Twitter account @montblanc_world and on Instagram @sandrascloset.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Do you remember LUISAVIAROMA’s charity project “Pug Dogs for Happy Kids” that I presented to you last January? You can click here for the previous post.

Twenty one pug dogs were customized exclusively for LuisaViaRoma by a selection of the most prominent international luxury fashion designers and bloggers were asked to adopt one of those little soft toys.

As you know, I adopted the Emilio Pucci pug dog.

Finally the pug dogs are to be auctioned off starting March 19th for UNICEF in support of children in Bangladesh on eBay. For more information on how to bet, please click here.

Happy auctioning for a good cause and a big thank you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to LUISAVIAROMA.COM‘s charity project “PUG DOGS FOR HAPPY KIDS” an exclusive one of a kind edition of 20 pug dogs, produced by Steiff, the German leader in the production of handmade plush toys & collectables.
Each piece is customized by a selection of the most prominent international fashion designers.

All proceeds generated from the sales will be donated to UNICEF to support disadvantaged children.

For the 4th Edition of Firenze4Ever Luisa Via Roma has asked each fashion blogger to “Adopt a Pug” for UNICEF. It was pretty tough to decide which one to take as designers such as Balmain, Emilio Pucci, Giambattista Valli, Mary Katrantzou & many more have come up with some pretty amazing pieces.

Curious which one I have chosen? Let me tell you that much: I was fighting with Bryan Boy over the Mary Katrantzou one and he was winning, haha. So I went for another one that I have truly fallen in love with. Stay tuned for the upcoming unique photo shoot with my little puppy.

The toys will be on display in store throughout the following Pitti week and will subsequently be available online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It is Christmas time and the best gift of all comes from the heart. Therefore I would like to introduce you the Little Dreams Foundation that was created in February 2000 by jewelry designer Orianne and her husband at that time, famous singer Phil Collins. Although that the couple is not together anymore, they share their passion for this wonderful project.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet them in Zurich and talk a little about the idea behind the Little Dreams Foundation.

Phil Collins framed by Orianne Collins to the right and me to the left

The project’s mission is to fulfil the dreams of young talents, with and without disabilities, in sport and the arts. The Foundation is structured around 13 Worlds of Dreams (The world of music, the world of dance and figure skating, the world of entertainment, the world of circus, the world of ball sports, the world of wheel, the world of mountains, the world of exploring, the world of athletics, the world of martial arts, the world of horse rididng, the world of water sports and the world of art and literature).

In each of these worlds, Little Dreams strives to provide young hopefuls training and a personalised program. This is in order to give them the means to realise their dreams and maybe even enable them to make a career out of their passions. Think about all those children who grow up in not so privileged circumstances, having an amazing talent that lies waste because the family has no money to nurture it. This is when the Little Dreams Foundation steps in. Another section is a program called NO DIFFERENCE that aims to support talented young people with physical or mental disabilities.

For more information, I would like to invite you to visit the homepage by clicking here.

SUPPORTING THE LITTLE DREAMS FOUNDATION
If you liked to offer your support, the Little Dreams Foundation would be happy to accept a donation. A big thank you in advance for your generosity!

UBS SA Genève
Place de Cornavin 12
1201 Genève
Fondation Little Dreams
Compte N° 240-115651.04M
IBAN: CH78 0024 0240 1156 5104 M

With this in mind, I would like to quote one of Phil Collins’s famous lyrics:
„Oh, think twice, `cause it’s just another day for you and me in paradise…“.

Giving feels great and never forget, what goes around, comes around!
Merry Christmas!

LoL, Sandra

Kate Winslet collaborates on a limited edition makeup collection with Lancôme to raise funds for her charity, The Golden Hat Foundation. The Golden Hat Foundation helps children with autism in a number of ways. Kate’s commitment started after the realisation of an Icelandic documentary in whichthe actress tells the tale of a child with autism: “A Mother Courage – Talking Back To Autism” (also as “The Sunshine Boy”).

So when Lancôme suggested collaborating on a fund-raising limited edition makeup line in partnership with her, promising to donate €150,000 from its sales profits to the Foundation, she jumped at the opportunity: “Lancôme’s instant offer of support was a huge display of confidence and generosity and I knew it would open many doors”, Kate said.

The Golden Hat Collection is a one-off line which comprises the basic beauty staples such as blush, lipstick and nail polish – each embossed with the Golden Hat symbol and Kate’s signature, available this month.

LoL, Sandra

L’ Absolu Rouge, N°132, N°340, N°341, N°343, each CHF 44, N°001 (La Base) CHF 35

Le Vernis, N°102, N°26, N°27, N°28, N°003, each CHF 25

Blush Golden Hat, CHF 65

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme