Sandra‘s Closet

During Paris Haute Couture fashion week, a superlative event took place at the Casino de Paris – the ‘WÔW’ party, nicknamed after Lancôme’s signature letter – to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the brand, founded by entrepreneur Armand Petitjean in 1935.

Celebrating the House’s continually unique take on French beauty, guests enjoyed a surrealistic photocall where they were invited to strike a pose amongst giant cut outs of the brands iconic products and symbols, to the poetic fresh rose arch that served as an entrance to the theatre and a playful exhibition of carefully conserved objects from its patrimony: everything stated loud and clearly that “La vie est belle en Lancôme”, life is beautiful with Lancôme.

Celebrating 80 years of Lancôme is also celebrating femininity the Lancôme way. This could not have been achieved without the women who today embody the brand: Julia Roberts, Penélope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Lupita Nyong’o, Lily Collins, Alma Jodorowsky and Daria Werbowy were all on stage together for the first time ever, to wish a happy anniversary to Lancôme. Isabella Rossellini, who graced the brand with her charm and beauty for so many years, was the master of ceremony.

Among the highlights of the party, which gathered more the 1200 guests from the beauty, fashion, film and art world, was ultimate showgirl Kylie Minogue’s private concert of some of her most danced to songs, followed by French DJ Kiddy Smile who played late into the night.

Elettra Wiedemann, daughter of Isabella Rosselini,…

…Singer John Legend («All of me») and…

…Lisa Eldridge, recently appointed Creative Director of Lancôme Make up, were also in attendance.

Lancôme Power: Natacha Klein, Vincent Mottier, Margherita Masiello and Claire Jamet

With Margherita Masiello, PR Manager Switzerland Lancôme

The party is only one of the highlights of a celebration that started last January with the release of ‘Editions du Regard’ a book celebrating the brand’s heritage. This was followed by the launch of the first web only limited edition Lancôme products – three shades of the legendary L’Absolu Rouge, and a participative digital platform designed as a tribute to Lancôme’s customers “You are Lancôme”. Five participants who entered this creative ‘selfie’ contest won a ticket to the WÔW party.

The celebration will reach its climax in December with the launch of two extremely limited editions: the re-edition of Les Jumelés, a jewel lipstick case form Lancôme’s patrimony, and a very special version of the new La Vie est Belle l’Extrait created with France’s oldest high jeweller, Mellerio dit Mellers. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stéphane Fougère for Lancôme, © Sandra Bauknecht

First of all, there is no doubt that Lancôme produces the best mascaras in the entire world and the newest creation HYPNÔSE STAR is just a testament to my statement.

For their advertising campaign, inspired by the movies of the 30s, the famous French luxury cosmetics house is calling upon Betty Boop, the sexy cartoon character, and Daria Werbowy. “Betty Boop’s mischievous eyes and innate sensuality are combined with the contemporary spirit and confident femininity of Daria Werbowy,” Lancôme says. “Yesterday’s vintage glamour meets the glamour of today.”

Wrapped in a sparkling case, Hypnôse Star combines a specially designed brush, which has three patents pending, and a “Black Diamond” effect fluid formula to sculpt lashes. Two flat sides deliver mascara to the lashes, including the shortest ones, while two oblique sides with longer fibers separate and lengthen lashes while fixing them in a curl.

Utilizing two types of wax, Hypnôse Star offers two formulas for light texture and robust volume. Different soft waxes provide a mistake proof application while hard carnauba wax forms a thin film over the entire lash surface and sets the curl.

Available now for CHF 44.-.

Werbowy wears “Noir Midnight” Hypnôse Star mascara, Ombre Hypnôse eyeshadows “Erika F” I202 and “Strass Black” S310 and “Beige Diaphane” 03 Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation. Lips are enhanced with “Sequins d’Amour” 170N Rouge In Love lipstick.

New OMBRE HYPNÔSE eyeshadows are available for CHF 39 each in 24 amazing shades.

Have a look at this super-cute video in which we will learn from Mrs Boop that “all stars have a secret,” before Daria chimes in with Betty’s signature boop-oop-a-doop!

LoL, Sandra

Photos & Video: Courtesy of Lancôme

Here comes the new super mascara by Lancôme: Hypnôse Doll Eyes.
The latest version of the iconic Hypnose mascara gives you long and voluminous doll eyelashes, a little like a ’60s Twiggy. It is the first mascara that is scented with a very feminine floral and hypoallergenic perfume which makes it a true pleasure applying it. The brush ensures perfect separation of all lashes, even the shorter ones, while adding length and volume. I am using the mascara at the moment and I am completely convinced of its quality.

Mascara Doll Eyes CHF 44

The new mascara is accompanied by four pastel coloured eyeshadow palettes, called Baby Glam, Baby Nu, Baby Romance and Baby Pop to finish off your ­’60s look to perfection.

Palettes CHF 75 each

The campaign that was shot by Mario Testino stars famous supermodels Daria Werbowy, Arlenis Sosa and Elettra Wiedemann.

My personal favourites: Hypnôse Doll Eyes, Palettes Baby Pop and Baby Nu

And that it is definitely worth investing in a beautiful look tells us this quote of the world’s most famous doe-eyed icon:
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

– Audrey Hepburn

To be launched in Switzerland in July, in other countries already available since a few days.

Enjoy your weekend!

LoL, Sandra

It is August and the majority of fall campaigns can be seen now in the new fashion magazines, ads just keep coming out of the woodwork and so I wanted to give you a brief summary of the most important ones and by whom they were shot.
It is funny to see that this world in particular is pretty small and some photographers are ahead of the game.

My personal favourite is Bottega Veneta`s strong expressive F/W 2010 campaign. Shot by the godfather of energetic graphic photography himself: Robert Longo. The artist has became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s with his series „Men in the Cities“ that depicts men and women in business attire contorted in extreme positions.

The winner this season seems to be renowned Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. The dream team that has defined the look of the past decade, shot the most campaigns. Enjoy my preview:

The American photographer and long-time protégé of both Franca Sozzani and Anna Wintour, editors-in-chief of Italian and American Vogue is also a big shot in the world of fashion photography. No wonder, Steven Meisel shot all those gorgeous campaigns.

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinood Matadin, a fashion photographer duo that is well known for their independent art work. Most of their photographs are both critical and slightly disturbing as you can see in the campaigns they shot for F/W 2010.

Italian-born Mario Sorrenti is a photographer and director best known for his spreads of nude models in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino has shot many fashion stories and celebrities. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums.

Hermès has come up with another really beautiful advertising campaign shot by Paolo Roversi. I love his romantic, vintage looking photos that always seem to tell a story. To me, a perfect choice for the French house!

Bruce Weber is a well-known face in the world of advertising photography. His career really took of in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his famous advertising images for Calvin Klein.

Juergen Teller‘s work is extraordinary and with a distinctive design. His raw style makes him one of the most influential fashion photographers working today.

Multi-talent Karl Lagerfeld likes to keep everything in his own hands. So no wonder that he shoots the advertising campaigns for his own collections for Chanel and Fendi.

Steven Klein is an American photographer that shot many high-profile advertising campaigns for various clients. This season he was hired by Dolce & Gabbana to capture a close knit Italian family with Madonna as the matriarchal figure through his lens.
Great job!

LoL, Sandra