Sandra‘s Closet

Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, located in the heart of the Eternal City, is collaborating with Prada this festive season for a jointly designed Christmas tree that stands radiantly in Hotel de Russie’s Valadier square.

A grid of white LED triangles on an octagonal base of luminous logos makes up the nearly 5-metre-high tree, culminating in a shining Prada triangle. The avant-garde polygonal structure inspired by the iconic geometry of Prada gives a contemporary feel to the spectacular staircase that leads into the historic monumental garden. The collaboration between Hotel de Russie and Prada is a symbol of style and modernity that represents a tribute to the excellence of «Made in Italy».

To complete the Hotel de Russie’s Christmas decor, the hotel’s time-honored tradition of festive decorations welcomes guests as they step into the lobby. Co-founder and creative director of Sebastian Flowers Italy, Frank uit het Broek, has created a setting which features an interplay of red, gold and green along with lights, sparkling details and symbolic ornaments that include carousels, sweets, red ribbons and Father Christmas.

The Hotel de Russie Festive Season:
Christmas Eve Dinner (Saturday 24th December)
Christmas Brunch (Sunday 25th December)
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner ( Saturday 31st December)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hotel de Russie
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«Christmas trees are the strongest ‘souvenir’ of my happy childhood.» – Karl Lagerfeld

I love Christmas trees and my favorite one (besides my own) can be found at London’s Claridge’s Hotel where in the eighth consecutive year a creative visionary has been invited to reinterpret the tree in their own distinctive style. This December, it is Karl Lagerfeld, one of the fashion world’s most influential creative forces, who created the stunning festive installation, a sixteen foot high inverted tree with silver gilded roots topped with a multi-faceted mirrored star which reflects rays of magical light across the art deco lobby. Reminiscent of a silver stalactite, the tree is hung with traditional silver lametta decorations, silver butter leather feathers and snowflakes handmade by craftsmen in Germany with tree candles giving a warm, inviting glow. Under the centerpiece sit hand sewn white Icelandic sheepskin rugs to reflect a recent snowfall.The famous designer was inspired by his own childhood memories of Christmas.

The Claridge’s Christmas Tree has long been a festive Mayfair landmark, drawing visitors and Londoners alike to marvel at its magnificent and ever-changing design. Scroll down to explore Claridge’s Christmas Tree designs through the years.

2016: SIR JONY IVE AND MARC NEWSON

2015: CHRISTOPHER BAILEY FOR BURBERRY

2014: DOLCE & GABBANA

2013: DOLCE & GABBANA

2012: KALLY ELLIS OF MCQUEENS

2011: ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANVIN

2010: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR

2009: JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR

Merry Christmas to all of you – may you all sparkle as these beautiful trees with joy, love and laughter.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Claridge’s

Merry X-mas to all of you. Christmas Eve was absolutely fantastic being surrounded by my loved ones in the comfort of my own home. In the morning after my last minute shopping tour, my daughter and I decorated our Christmas tree that turned out to be very girly in pink, white and silver with a touch of black. A few years ago, I decided to get an artificial tree. I always felt bad to cut one for only those few days and hated the cleaning up after the season was over. With the fake snow, I really love its look and to achieve this iconic pine smell, I use a little trick (Please click here for last year’s post). Each season, I also opt for another color scheme.

In the evening, we ate great food and dressed up just enough to feel special, but still be comfy. We always end up playing fun games and talk until late. After dinner, we exchanged gifts – the little extra magic and sparkle of a Christmas Eve. Being a mum, I felt like Sandra Claus seeing my daughter’s eyes filled with joy and happiness. It is one of those magical moments you treasure forever. My hubby really surprised me in a fun way. He had “bribed” my personal shopper at net-à-porter and got me some of my favorite items from my wish list. My personal shopper told me she had to take them out of my basket as they were defect and I had been so disappointed… great idea, I have to say! I cannot wait to show you my new pieces.

My look for Christmas Eve matching my tree: Pink cowl-back silk-sateen dress (from the new Resort 2014 collection, also available in black) and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent, art deco earrings by Prada, cuff by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, Twenties stay-up by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I would like to wish you with all my heart a wonderful Christmas Eve. Despite all different traditions, some of you might not be celebrating this Christian celebration, others might unwrap their gifts tomorrow, some of us, like me, tonight. Nevertheless, what we all have in common is love and this is what I am wishing you, a night surrounded by the ones you love.

As I adore the magic of this time of the year, I attached some photos of different designer installations to get you in the right mood. Enjoy!

London’s famous hotel Claridge’s annual Christmas tree has been designed by long time guests and friends, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
(Do you remember the trees in 2009 and 2010 by John Galliano?!)

This amazing installation depicts iconic elements from a traditional Christmas tree reinterpreted with Sicilian elements that draw on the Italian heritage of the designers: hand-crafted Sicilian puppets known as ‘pupi’, hand-painted Italian festive glass baubles and a bespoke multi-coloured ‘luminarie’ framework created in southern Italy.

This Christmas in London, on the streets of Old Bond Street and Sloane Square, Tiffany & Co. has been going back in time with horse-drawn carriages, loaded with small blue Tiffany boxes, which reiterates its message that “The Perfect Christmas Comes Wrapped in Blue.”

And of course, this message is spread around the world with the house’s global shopping window displays.

In Paris, Prada gave French department store Printemps holiday windows with a high-fashion touch. The display, entitled “A Joyful Obsession,” is a colorful creation that is classically Christmas with visual elements inspired by the Italian brand. As part of the collaboration, Prada designed an exclusive collection with apparel, handbags, accessories and footwear.

Here comes my favorite tree installation that can be found in front of the Palace of Arts in Budapest. Made out of 365 wooden sleighs, the 11-meter-tall tree is a sustainable design endeavor which channels the true spirit of Christmas.

After the end of the holiday season, it will be dismantled and the sleighs will be donated to kids living in the SOS Children’s Village homes in Hungary.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Claridge’s, Inhabitant

Finally, Christmas Eve is here and the tree has been revealed. Each season, I love to surprise my family with another colour scheme. This year, I went for white, black, silver and gold with a hint of glittering brown.

I had the idea of a “Christmas tree forest” and pulled up two, one for my daughter with lots of teddybears in gold and silver and a matching taller one for the adults, which obviously is a very girly one, with shoes and bags. (I couldn’t resist the French Christmas at Globus.)
Christmas ornaments are such a sweet surprise for a beloved friend, a lovely gift to be remembered once a year.

As you see, the trees are fake but with the white snow, I think they look pretty. Somehow, I have always felt sad for all those trees being cut down for just a few days… and such a fake one is actually pretty practical as no fir needles are coming down and it looks the same from beginning to end.

A personal tip to take your fake tree to the next level: Spritz it with Jo Malone‘s Pine & Eucalyptus Scent Surround™ Room Spray that instantly fills your home with a breath of fresh air from the woods and feel the tree come alive.

I am wishing you all a Merry X-Mas with lots of laughter, love and of course awesome presents!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A little Christmas greeting from Paris, where I am at the moment, that hopefully will fill you up with holiday cheer! The gigantic tree at Galeries Lafayette is pretty impressive and puts you immediately in the mood for shopping. Paris during the festive season is absolutely the best.

Next to the Galeries Lafayette, the famous department store Printemps attracts the customer with a Chanel – installation of miniature Karl Lagerfeld puppets doing all sorts of things.

There is only one thing to say: “J’adore Paris!”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht