Sandra‘s Closet

My favorite season is spring and I truly adore those first sunny days when you can feel the warm weather is on its way, slowly but surely. Here you see me in Zurich at the lake, enjoying some free time in between my travels.

My look: Floral print with tiger sweatshirt, skinny denim pant with embroidery and feline earrings with crystals, all by Gucci, cotton collar by Carven, Sac Du Jour leather tote and Janis pumps with studs, both by Saint Laurent, «Tank Américaine in yellow gold and diamonds» by Cartier and «Diorette» ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and sunglasses «Oeil de Chat» by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars…” – what a great motto! The quote and my outfit, both totally suited my birthday mood. Be ready to show your gun license!

My look: Gun Pop jacquard dress and shearling bag, both by Saint Laurent, fake fur coat by Miu Miu, leather boots by Prada, bra by Victoria’s Secret and Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My visit to the Biennale des Antiquaires last week was absolutely amazing. I was surrounded by outstanding beauty, extraordinary antiques and exquisite jewelry. Karl Lagerfeld has staged, decorated and created the visuals for the event as well as the backdrop. And being such a talented artist, he came up with a temporary world within the Grand Palais (the home of his Chanel shows) that was as beautiful as the thousands of objects d’art.

My look: Structured tuxedo jacket by Balmain, floral and cherub-print dress by Dolce & Gabbana, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford, Rockstud suede and leather ankle boots by Valentino, cuff by Céline, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, Diorette earrings and ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie plus Velvet de Luxe 66 tights by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This summer is all about print, preferably from head to toe. Print silk pants are among the season’s must-haves and I recently combined those two trends in one very comfy look:

Blue leo print top, matching pyjama silk pants, scarf, slippers and bag, all by Louis Vuitton, ring “Diorette” by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch “Lady Excalibur” by Roger Dubuis.

Do you remember the bag? It was a gift from my girlfriends for my birthday. I think the coral is the perfect addition to the blue – a wonderful colour combination.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, I went to the Zurich Opera Ball. This is a black tie event taking place once a year at the opera house which marks a highlight on Switzerland’s event calendar.

My look: Cobalt blue silk-crepe gown by Stella McCartney, silk-organza floral collar (such a versatile piece that instantly transforms even the simplest of looks) and Angelica silk-satin appliquéd clutch, both by Gucci, Tribute violet suede sandals by Yves Saint Laurent, statement bracelet by Louis Vuitton, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis and Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

I truly like those colours, cobalt blue mixed with different berry shades, together.
What do you think?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look last week for a lunch meeting in Zurich. I love the colour combination of pink, brown and light grey – always preppy.

You might remember the dress because I wore it to the Gucci S/S 2012 show last September in Milan. For the previous, more colourful look, please click here. Good news is that this pink dress is on sale 50% off now and with its vibrant colour a great investment piece for the next season.

My look: Two-tone silk crepe de chine dress, alpaca and wool gilet, grey python bag, brown leather boots, all by Gucci, pink bleached denim scarf by Louis Vuitton, ring Diorette by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

On my lips: Rouge Allure Velvet 37 L’Exubérante by Chanel, a wonderful matte pink tone.

LoL, Sandra

I love this bleached denim scarf from Louis Vuitton’s S/S 2010 collection.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

„Who said that real jewels have to be boring?“
Victoire de Castellane

Barbara Hutton wearing the 55-carat Pasha diamond and the Vladimir emeralds

When it comes to fine jewelry, Dior’s Victoire de Castellane is the designer that I truly admire for her amazing creations that are for me the most beautiful and outstanding pieces in the world. Often imitated but never equalled, Victoire is the lady of the rings.

Bold, chunky and huge are her designs that appear more like pieces of art than jewelry.

Born into an aristocratic Parisian family, her first experience with making jewelry happened when she dismantled her grandmother’s (Sylvia Hennessy from the cognac family) charm bracelet and transformed it into a pair of earrings, much to her mother’s dislike. As a young girl, her grandma and her best friend heiress Barbara Hutton involved the little girl in their love for enormous gems. A passion was born.

Victoire de Castellane started her career at Chanel working alongside Karl Lagerfeld as costume jewelry designer for fourteen years. In 1999, she was appointed by Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, as designer of the first ever collection of Fine Jewelry for the house Dior that allowed her to create her own daring and dramatic style that shook up the staid Place Vendôme from the very first beginning.

Each collection tells a story or evokes a place. The French aristocrat is inspired by the exuberance of technicolour, bright and fluorescent. Her designs are known for the best quality enamel with gems and semi precious stones.
“I prefer huge coloured stones instead of diamonds. And I like to wear and design things that look fake; like costume jewelry, but real” , says Victoire.
The collection Milly Carnivora, includes pieces that can open up to show the amazing inside creation. Love those surprises!

The Coffret de Victoire collection for Dior has some of the most unusual and original rings crafted from the finest gems, golds and materials. It includes creations with skulls, cameos and sealife inspirations – a reflection of world travels and exotic adventures with flavours from the ocean and the orient.

This year, the rose flower, which played a big role in the life of Christian Dior, has inspired Victoire de Castellane to create a new jewelry collection for Dior, so-called „Bois de Rose“.

This month, I was lucky to enjoy a presentation of how the rings are crafted at the Dior boutique in Zurich. After having seen the craftmanship and having talked to the goldsmiths who came from Paris for the event, I value Victoire’s designs even more.

Those fanciful wonders sometimes take months to be finished depending on the design. Every little detail is made by hand. I am truly fond of the jewelry’s bold presence.

If you are interested, please visit the Dior homepage for further information and store locations.

So lovely Ladies, think big and enjoy the little forest on your finger…

LoL, Sandra

One of my favourites: Bague Diorette