Sandra‘s Closet

«Where do his tennis dresses, his sailor dresses come from? Where did he find them? On the steps of Delphi. In the wardrobe of Electra. They are modern and they are antique.»
Violette Leduc ‘Is Courrèges Wearable?’ Vogue, 1965.

Courrèges S/S 2016

September marked Courrèges‘ first runway show in 13 years, and the House’s new designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant offered a fresh take on the iconic «Space Age» classics. The LVMH Prize finalists got down to the basics, a great start to revive André Courrèges’ famous label of the ’60s. Unfortunately, Monsieur Courrèges, who retired from his vocation in the mid-1990s, won’t experience this relaunch to the fullest. Last week, he lost his 30 year battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 92.

André Courrèges

Born in 1923 in France, Courrèges was a major force in ’60s fashion and helped define a generation. After graduating in engineering, he studied fashion and textile design which got him a job at . He Balenciaga for ten years, where he developped his great skills in cutting garments. In 1961 he launched his own eponymous fashion house.

Space Age coat by Courrèges, 1964

His breakthrough came with his 1964 «Space Age» collection. Stars such as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve loved the designer’s ground-breaking geometry, plastic miniskirts and futuristic textiles.

Moschino’s S/S 2013 show was a copy of Courrèges’s 1965 collection (here seen at Audrey Hepburn).

Courrèges left, Moschino S/S 2013 right

His favorite silhouette was known as «Moon Girl» look, that he embellished with oddities such as googles and astronaut helmets.

His famous miniskirts

Courrèges was also known for his extremely short angular mini skirts and trouser suits in black-and-white. Over many years, there was a dispute with Mary Quant, who claimed to have first popularized the miniskirt. Regardless of who came first, his skirts were definitely the shortest and his creations came to symbolize the Swinging Sixties.

1968: Models pose in red and white looks

Andre Courreges at his S/S 1973 fashion show.

New owners: Frédéric Torloting and Jacques Bungert

In 1967, Courrèges married his assistant, Coqueline Barriere who took over artistic direction of the company upon his retirement. In 2011, the couple sold a majority stake of their company to two Frédéric Torloting and Jacques Bungert, the two former co-presidents of the Paris branch of Young & Rubicam.

Courrèges x Estée Lauder make-up collection

Last Spring, Estée Lauder and Courrèges collaborated and launched a 12-piece make-up, including the first false lashes for the beauty giant, and added Kendall Jenner as their face. To shop, please click here.

French President Francois Hollande paid tribute in a statement that described Courrèges as a “revolutionary designer” who “made his mark on French haute couture.”

Another fashion icon has left our planet. Rest in peace, Monsieur Courrèges and thank you!

TO SHOP THE NEWEST DESIGNS BY COURRÈGES ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Courrèges, Estée Lauder, via Vogue, AGIP/RDA/EVERETT COLLECTION, Getty Images 

Lipsticks are certainly back this fall and not only on handbags (Monogramme lipstick printed textured-leather clutch by Saint Laurent). Let your lips do the talking and pay homage this season to the beauty icon in rich and trendy shades. From blood-red to smudgy, just-kissed stains, you choose the intensity. From left to right:

Goth Girl

Chanel Rouge Allure
N°109 Rouge Noir
A classic since 1994, this shade dresses lips with an unmistakable attitude.
CHF 48.00

Vampire Red

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Collector Kiss & Love
N°1 Le Rouge
Being part of YSL’s Holiday Look 2015, this lipstick comes with kisses all over.
CHF 48.00

Fine Wine

Shiseido Perfect Rouge
N°RS 656
Intensive ultra-pigmented color that moisturizes your lips.
CHF 40.00

Dangerous Colour

Clarins Joli Rouge
N° 742 Joli Rouge
A classic red in a rich and creamy formula.
CHF 34.50

True Blood

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick
Matte Bad Blood
A classic suede-like finish – careful, it is highly addictive!
CHF 27.50

Dark Passion

Clinique Pop Lip Colour & Primer
N°21 Rebel Pop
Rich color plus a smoothing primer in one.
CHF 33.00

A Statement in Red

Estée Lauder Modern Muse «Le Rouge»
An oriental floral fragrance inspired by the color red, seductive and ultra feminine as a lipstick itself.

Top notes: Red currant, raspberry, pink pepper and saffron
Middle notes: Bulgarian rose, may rose, jasmine and magnolia petals
Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver, madagascar vanilla and ambrette

CHF 68.00 (30ml), CHF 98.00 (50ml) and CHF 138.00 (100ml).

This post is also available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Tuesday evening, I attended the Estée Lauder press conference in Zurich at the Metropol restaurant. The famous house celebrates this years its 50th anniversary in Switzerland and has been since decades the number one beauty brand in the country. Therefore we were spoilt with this yummy cake and amazing products.

Many new launches will take place during the next months but two have absolutely caught my eyes and I couldn’t wait any longer to share them with you.

The new ENLIGHTEN range is designed to work as a trio to provide prevention and treatment for pigmentation, day and night. It includes a moisturizer, a serum and a completely new product, the EE (Even Effect) cream. Yes, after BB and CC creams, there is now an EE cream, not a double D! It gives you an even skin tone while defending environmental stressors, protecting against UV rays with a SPF 30 and building a barrier against pollution and free radicals. I have been sold immediately!

Enlighten Serum CHF 95.00 (30ml) and CHF 142.00 (50ml)
Enlighten Moisturizer CHF 95.00 (50ml)
Enlighten EE Cream in Light, Medium and Deep CHF 52.00 (30ml)
In stores from October 22, 2014.

The house’s new flanker fragrance MODERN MUSE CHIC is a warm and sensual scent that I personally like much more than the original Modern Muse that had been launched last year.
Please click HERE for the interview with the face of the campaign Arizona Muse.

FLORAL WOODY MUSK

Top notes: Plum and artemisia
Middle notes: Jasmine sambac, tuberose and lily
Base notes: Cashmere wood, agarwood, labdanum, patchouli, ebony tree, musk, madagascar vanilla and suede

Modern Muse Chic Eau de Parfum Spray is available from September 2014 for CHF 68.00 (30ml), CHF 98.00 (50ml) and CHF 138.00 (100ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

Attention, ladies! This new limited edition minaudière filled with amazing beauty essentials by NY Fashion Designer, Derek Lam, and Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, who was in charge for the runway show’s makeup look, will be flying off the shelves.

Previewed during New York Fashion Week, the look inspired by the runway for lips and eyes includes: The Mascara in Black Black, The EyeShadow in Smoked Gold, The Kajal Crayon in Near Night (a navy pencil liner), The LipColor in Smoked Blush and The Gloss in Barely Gold.

All tucked inside this beautiful Derek Lam navy satin clutch that features the designer’s signature dumbbell clasp.

In Switzerland the gift set is available at Jelmoli for CHF 98.00.

LoL, Sandra

Liu Wen at Derek Lam’s S/S 2014 runway show
Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder unveiled Modern Muse, the new fragrance inspired by the intriguing duality of today’s woman, with a spectacular muse-themed party held at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum during New York Fashion Week.

The glamorous event was attended by fashion, art, design, media, and film industry luminaries and their muses and I felt very honored to have been invited.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by The Dolls: Mia Moretti and Margot, who curated an unforgettable musical experience, in celebration of all modern muses, with live vocals by Margot and the debut of their new single “Southern Swing (Ft. The Original Pinettes).”

Enjoy my photos from this amazing night and see all the celebs which were there!

The face of the campaign:

Gorgeous Arizona Muse (Click here to read the interview I did with her).

Designer Olivier Theyskens and his muse Anouck Lepère.

Estée Lauder’s spokeswomen: Hilary Rhoda and Joan Smalls.

Carolyn Murphy

Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, with Carine Roitfeld and the Olsen Twins.

Actress Drew Barrymore

Linda Evangelista

Joan Smalls with me

Talking to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen whom I just saw again in London for an event with net-à-porter. The post will be coming up shortly. So please stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Co. all came to watch Opening Ceremony‘s runway debut that took place yesterday evening at Pier 57 in New York City. The runway felt like a scene of Fast & Furious when the audience spotted a row of very luxurious cars of which the models were exiting.

The collection was, of course, ultra-cool, coming from designer duo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (who are also the masterminds behind Kenzo’s success) and inspired by street-racing with layers, buckles, visible zippers, and parachute-like shapes.

I had the honour to go backstage before the show and to meet Carol Lim in person.

Another amazing highlight was the interview with Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, who was in charge for the runway show’s makeup look.

I love Tom, he is so sweet with his very charming French accent. It is always a pleasure talking to him and listening to his beauty secrets. I had interviewed him already two years ago (For the previous post, please click here).

Estée Lauder and Opening Ceremony have teamed up to dress Estée Lauder’s beauty advisors around the globe. Please tell me a little more about it.

It was a big challenge. You need to create clothes for different countries, different characters, bodies, you have to be able to wash and dry them easily, best without ironing, so you have to find the right material. Makeup should be like that, too.

What do you hope that stands out the next season?

Beauty and indivisuality. The makeup is not about looking good is about feeling good. My job is to bring a proposal, like every fashion brand does. Afterwards you will have to decide if you like to embrace it. I don’t like to dictate a rule.

Is there a special reason why you give a kind of massage to the models in the beginning?

The models are working very hard, much harder than we do. They need a little bit of love, it is a great way to connect, to relax. You do a better job if the person on the chair feels good. When you do a massage, you relax all the muscles, you activate the blood circulation. By performing the massage, in terms of skin quality, you get a much better result. The makeup stays longer, the complexion looks more radiant.

The cheeks for your look seem very contoured?

Yes, because the young girls with their baby cheeks love to have a little bit of contour.

Do you have a favourite product right now?

Every day is different, every model and skin texture is different. A good concealer, a nude lipstick, a white and black eye pencil are among my essentials.

Do you think the red lips will stand out the next season?

The red lips will always be in. Orange will go, red will stay. It is pure femininity.

Personally speaking, what are you doing to find always new inspirations?

I work with talented people. I have been working for three decades and I am terribly afraid to work by myself. I love to meet new people, like Humberto and Carol, Derek Lam, all such creative people. The sharing is the most important thing.

MAKEUP: Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder

Eyes: Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint in Halo, Pink Zinc or Chained (Matched with Skintone)

Lips: NEW Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Insatiable Ivory – launching March 2014

Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer (Matched with Skintone)

Brows: NEW Double Wear Stay-in-Place Brow Lift Duo – launching January 2014

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup
Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder in Transparent
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer

Skin: NEW Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme – launching November 2013
Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II Male

NAILS: Naomi Nails for Estée Lauder

Nails: Nail Lacquer in Blue Blood
Overlay design: White and light blue acrylic paint

The hair was kept in a low tousled ponytail for the show. I have just loved every single detail of this look and hope that you have enjoyed it, too.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Getty and Estée Lauder

If you think that the emerald makeup trend is too vibrant for you, you will love today’s post featuring the most alluring nude and bronze products for this summer.

Above you can see my personal must-haves that are all part of the new collections hitting the stores now.

1 CLARINS Shimmer Body Oil – CHF 49.00
2 CLARINS Summer Bronzing Compact – CHF 49.00
3 CLARINS Colour Quartet & Liner Eye Palette – CHF 62.00
4 ESTEE LAUDER Pure Color Nail Lacquer So Vain – CHF 34.00
5 ESTEE LAUDER Pure Color Nail Lacquer Diabolique – CHF 34.00
6 ESTEE LAUDER Dual Ended Liquid Liner Black Sands – CHF 40.00
7 YVES SAINT LAURENT La Laque Couture N°37 Taupe Maresque – CHF 38.00
8 TOM FORD Bronzing Powder Gold Dust – CHF 82.00

CLARINS Splendours Summer Makeup Collection

Amazing, that was the first word that literally came into my head when I unpacked the stunning summer makeup collection from Clarins. Splendours is themed around a harmony of glistening gold shades for the perfect warm natural summer glow. Available now.

ESTEE LAUDER Pure Color Nail Lacquers French Nudes

Suiting every women’s skin tone, Makeup Director Tom Pecheux created these muted nudes that look elegant and sophisticated. In stores now.
From left to right: Diabolique, Nudité, Bittersweet, So Vain and Ballerina Pink.

YVES SAINT LAURENT Saharienne Heat

Lindsey Wixson, the face of the ad campaign, shows how gorgeous the variety of colours in this collection look: bronze and nude combined with shades of purple and emerald.
The perfect alternative for those who would like to add a splash of colour to their natural look. And with the golden Moroccan arabesque designs on top of the compacts, it is a pleasure to open them every day. In stores now.

TOM FORD Beauty Summer 2013 Color Collection

Tom Ford’s summer 2013 makeup collection brings some interesting essentials to the table. Beautiful nudes and bronze shades that will give you that natural-looking glow we all want to achieve during the warm weather months, for a skin that is bathed in sunset light.
In Switzerland available Mid May 2013 exclusively at Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Estée Lauder has launched the limited-edition makeup collection for spring 2013 PRETTY NAUGHTY. Optimistic yet not overly sweet, the world of watercolor pastels is taken to new heights by infusing an urban synthetic vibe for a youthful and modern twist. 
All products are in stores now.

PURE COLOR SHEER MATTE LIPSTICK
Naked, Rock Candy, Rebel and Demure – CHF 40.00
Skip the lip liner. Shape lips with the slim edge of Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Rock Candy instead. Apply the Naked shade for a soft matte mix.

PURE COLOR ILLUMINATING POWDER Tease – CHF 58.00
Start blushing slightly below the highest point of cheek and blend down and away.
PURE COLOR FIVE COLOR EYESHADOW PALETTE Pretty Naughty – CHF 72.00
Play with the five shades that work for day and night.
PURE COLOR SHEER NAIL LACQUER Insatiable – CHF 34.00

Be creative with your nails. Here are some inspirations:
The spring nail pairings techniques combine 2 or more shades to the most stylish newest looks. Nail colours are from the Pretty Naughty and the Heavy Petals collections.

SKINNY DIPPER
Brush nails with Absinthe. Brush Dilettante over it, from mid-nail to tips. With a toothpick, draw 3-4 thin horizontal stripes of Blue Blood, as fine as you can make them, across the nails.

PRETTY NAUGHTY
Paint nails with Insatiable from the Pretty Naughty Collection. Then add Chaos in a half “moon” on the right and left sides of each nail, base to tip.

I’M WITH THE BAND
Brush nails with Coral Cult. Add a broad horizontal stripe of Absinthe across middle of nails.

PURPLE MOON
Stroke Lilac Leather on nails. Brush Smashed on moon area only.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

The beginning of 2013 marks the launches of many new mascaras. As you know, I went to Paris for the new DIORSHOW ICONIC CURL which I absolutely love. Mascaras are such an individual product. Therefore it is hard to recommend one as everybody applies it differently and a formula or brush that works best for me might not be applicable for you. So here is my IT-LIST (from left to right) with comments. I am sure, you will find one that suits your lashes best.

BEST CURL
DIORSHOW ICONIC OVERCURL by Dior

Dramatic volume and curl in a stroke. The new brush adapts perfectly to your lash line. One of my favorites. (For more information on the product and the photo shoot for it, please click here).
In stores now. CHF 48.00

BEST TEXTURE
SURREALIST EVERFRESH by Helena Rubinstein

A true mascara revolution with 4 exclusive patents pending. Its innovation? Due to its ideally-gliding texture and brush, it is the first mascara ever on the market that doesn’t try out, feeling like a brand new mascara every day. 
Available in Switzerland from March 2013. CHF 53.00

BEST WATERPROOF FORMULA
SUMPTUOUS EXTREME WATERPROOF by Estée Lauder

This lash multiplying volume mascara offers deep, rich color. Its smooth, non-clumping formula leaves lashes feel soft and light, which is unusual for a waterproof product. With a good eye makeup remover, the removal is not a problem and no scrubbing is neccessary. I am not a fan of waterproof mascaras, but I could warm towards this one.
Available in Switzerland from April 2013. CHF 45.00

BEST FORTIFYING APPLICATION
SO INTENSE by Sisley

Another one of my absolute favorites. The very thin brush might take you some time to get used to it. But once you can handle it, you will thank me forever. This mascara instantly thickens, coats and separates lashes in just one stroke. Its fortifying formula, enriched with a vitamin-packed peptide, helps you to achieve fuller, longer, more beautiful lashes from day to day. Amazing product! (To see me wearing it, please click here).
In stores now. CHF 57.00

BEST VOLUME
LE VOLUME DE CHANEL by Chanel

The application of Chanel’s newest volumizing mascara is amazingly simple due to its unique, patented “Snowflakes” brush that coats lashes from root to tip in an instant. Your lashes are longer, plumper, thicker and more intense. The result is undeniable: eyes are defined and look bigger with a wide-open effect.
In stores now. CHF 47.00

BEST SCENT
CILS D’ENFER by Guerlain

As its names applies, this mascara is bombastic, creating maximum volume, curl and hold. The formula is nice, lightweight and doesn’t smudge or flake. Its application is a true pleasure due to its beautiful rosy scent.
In stores now. CHF 44.00

I hope that I could help you find your new favourite mascara to achieve an unforgettable look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, the doorbell rang and the postman delivered some beautiful literally sweet surprises. The Park Hyatt Zurich sent me such a gorgeous cake in the shape of a bag that complemented the new limited edition nail polish shades by Estée Lauder PURE COLOR HEAVY PETALS perfectly.

The new limited edition spring collection of lacquers looks delicious thanks to its inspiration from the famous macaron dessert. The shades are from left to right: Narcissist, Lilac Leather, Coral Cult, Dilettante France, and Absinthe.

To a tasty weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht