Sandra‘s Closet

Bid farewell to the heavy oriental, woodsy fragrances you wore on those cold days. Summer is here, and your perfume wardrobe is due for an update. As you are sporting your espadrilles with your favorite sundress, reach for fresh citruses, florals, and other sparkling uplifting notes to wear on your escapades in the sun, salt, and sand. Below my three favorites that fit the bill.

LIGHT BLUE SUN by Dolce & Gabbana
Inspired by sunny days and romances, this delicious fragrance is conveyed with a summery coconut water accord.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon, Granny Smith Apple, Ozonic Notes and Coconut Nectar
Middle Notes: Jasmine, White Rose and Frangipani
Base Notes: Ambergris, Bourbon Vanilla, Cedar and White Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 68.40 (25ml) and CHF 91.80 (50ml)

RISING SUN by Shiseido
Specially formulated without photosensitive or phototoxic ingredients, this mood-lifting Eau de Toilette can be even worn in the sun.

Fruity Floral
Top Notes: Lemon and Mineral-Marine Accord
Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine Absolute and Rose
Base Notes: Coconut, Mirabelle Plum, Cashmerean and Musk
Eau de Toilette CHF 75.60 (100ml)

ANGEL EAU CROISIÈRE by Thierry Mugler
A new summer edition of the iconic gourmand perfume inspired by the leisure atmosphere of summer cruises and flavours of fruity cocktails.

Fruity Gourmand
Energetic Cocktail Facet (Top Notes): Mango, Grapefruit and Black Currant Sorbet
Voluptuous facet (Base Notes): Patchouli and Pralines
Eau de Toilette CHF 69.00 (50ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht  and Courtesy of the Brands

In 2016, Louis Vuitton ventured into new creative territory: perfume (for the previous post, click here please). Seven singular fragrance trails came into being. Seven compositions conceived like so many invitations on a journey. Seven concentrates brimming with emotion, composed in Grasse at Les Fontaines Parfumées, the creative atelier of Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, Louis Vuitton Master Perfumer.

Today, this collection of exquisite perfumes welcomes a new unprecedented creation. Composed by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, this fragrance radiates luminous optimism. The name of this new olfactory celebration: Le Jour Se Lève, which means literally «the day begins itself». So this what a brand new day smells like… The notes for the fruity floral include mandarin, blackcurrant, jasmine, magnolia, osmanthus and musks.Louis Vuitton Le Jour Se Lève will be available from March 2018 in 100 and 200 ml Eau de Parfum, and in a set of travel sprays (four x 7.5 ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Elegance has always been a defining element of Salvatore Ferragamo creations.
(Get the look: Draped top, skirt, Susi pumps and Gelly bag, all by Salvatore Ferragamo.)

The same goes for the Italian house’s perfumes. An iconic tribute to women, the trilogy of SIGNORINA fragrances celebrate the most refined aspects of femininity. The scents differ and still present one family, a great way to vary on a daily base.

SIGNORINA Eau de Parfum
FLORAL FRUITY

Top notes: Red currant and pink pepper
Middle notes: Jasmine, rose and peony
Base notes: Patchouli, panna cotta and musk

SIGNORINA Eau de Toilette
FLORAL FRUITY

Top notes: Grapefruit and litchi
Middle notes: Rose and rice
Base notes: Cashmeran and milk mousse

SIGNORINA ELEGANZA Eau de Parfum
CHYPRE FLORAL

Top notes: Pear and grapefruit
Middle notes: Osmanthus absolute and almond
Base notes: Patchouli and white leather accord

Great news is that you can win one bottle of SIGNORINA Eau de Parfum 50ml, one bottle of SIGNORINA Eau de Toilette 50ml and one bottle of SIGNORINA ELEGANZA Eau de Parfum 50ml. To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Signorina Trilogy” to . All entries must be received until May 30, 2015. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules.
The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo

Nature’s blooms at their most tempting. The nectarous, pink-fringed pompoms of Silk Blossom. Irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Apricot-fresh with a touch of spice. Airy with clouds of powder-soft heliotrope, nestling on a bed of moss. Fruity and enticing.
JO MALONE has captured spring in a bottle.

FRUITY FLORAL

Top note: White Pepper
Middle note: Silk Blossom
Base note: Moss

Fragrance Combining™: Orange Blossom

Available from May 2014.
(In Switzerland from May 21, 2014 at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva).
Cologne 30ml CHF 68 / £41
Cologne 100ml CHF 130 / £82
Home Candle 200g £42

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Feminine, sophisticated and reminiscent of 1950s elegance, for the new season polka dots returned to the S/S 2014 runway. At Burberry Prorsum they came in a modernized and bold way, while at Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino they appeared smaller in black and white or red – all aptly retro-inspired, especially given Moschino’s special anniversary show.

So cute, a real must-have! Polka dot ‘Pashli’ satchel by 3.1 Phillip Lim

Shop the trendy look and get one of those amazing pieces:

1 Polka-dot cotton and lace shirt by No. 21
2 Febe stretch-mesh balconette bra by L’Agent by Agent Provocateur
3 Polka dot-print stretch-silk dress by Dolce & Gabbana
4 Leather-trimmed polka-dot canvas slip-on sneakers by Katie Grand Loves Hogan
5 Polka-dot linen shirt by Burberry Prorsum
6 Polka-dot cotton dress by Marni
7 Polka-dot silk bow tie by Saint Laurent
8 Chuck Taylor All Star polka-dot suede sneakers by Converse
9  Polka-dot cashmere and silk-blend scarf by Burberry Prorsum
10 Lilico flower-embellished leather sandals by Sophia Webster

There is also a scent dressed in dots living up to the trend. Insolence, one of Guerlain’s iconic fragrances, is adopting a whirlwind of neon pink polka dots. A true collector’s item for lovers of the fruity floral scent or a great way to rediscover it.

Top notes: Raspberry, red berries, lemon and bergamot
Middle notes: Violet, orange blossom and rose
Base notes: Orris, sandalwood, tonka bean and musk

Insolence – Limited Edition Crazy Touch – Eau de Toilette 50ml bottle, CHF 110.00.
Available from March 1, 2014 on all Guerlain’s authorized points of sale.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands

The Jo Malone™ Townhouse is in full bloom. Over 10,000 peonies and swathes of the softest blush suede have transformed the global headquarters for the launch of the Peony & Blush Suede Collection. The new fruity floral fragrance for women, developed by perfumer Christine Nagel, features red apple, peony, rose, honey and suede. Available in September 2013.

Peonies are my favourite flowers and I can literally smell them looking at the beautiful photos…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Expanding his collection of fragrances, which currently includes “Daisy” (2007) and “Lola” (2009), and following his dot-enthusiasm – this month, Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with Yayoi Kusama will hit the stores – Marc Jacobs will be launching a new scent which is young and playful: DOT.

Before leaving for the US, I was invited to the press conference to explore the new fragrance. The composition is floral-fruity, spiced up with exotic notes of coconut and wrapped in soft vanilla embrace. Very young and gourmand.

The bottle is red covered with black dots and reminds me of a cute little ladybug. On top sits a butterfly. It will look great on display in your bathroom.

Top notes: Red berries, pitahaya (dragon fruit) and honeysuckle.
Middle notes: Jasmine, orange blossom and coconut water.
Base notes: Vanilla, musk and driftwood.

DOT Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 81.-), 50ml (CHF103.-) and 100ml (CHF 135.-).
DOT Body Lotion 150ml (CHF 59.-)
DOT Shower Gel 150ml (CHF 48.-)

Available in the US in July 2012 and in August 2012 internationally.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Marc Jacobs Fragrances, Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht

Mother’s Day is around the corner and you might want to think of a little surprise. There are many new fragrances on the market. Here are some of the bestsmelling scents available now.

LoL, Sandra

GUERLAIN AQUA ALLEGORIA – LYS SOLEIA
Eau de Toilette, CHF 109.- (125ml)

Floral Fruity
Elegant and light, perfect for an airy summer night.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and palm leaves
Heart notes: Lily, ylang-ylang and tropical fruits
Base notes: Tuberose, vanilla and white musk

ISSEY MIYAKE  – L’EAU D’ISSEY SUMMER 2012
Eau de Toilette, CHF 86.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Dynamic and refreshing but full of exotics and warmth.

Top notes: Rose, pear and water notes
Heart notes: Carnation and peony
Base notes: Osmanthus and woodsy notes

PRADA INFUSION D’IRIS EAU DE PARFUM ABSOLUE
Eau de Parfum Absolue CHF 118.- (50ml) und CHF 150.- (100ml)

Oriental Floral
Intense, rich – full of seduction, my favourite.

Top notes: African orange flower and neroli
Heart notes: Italian iris
Base notes: White musk, benzoin from Laos, Madagascar vanilla and tonka bean from Venezuela

BIOTHERM EAU OCEANE
Eau de Toilette, CHF 70.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Revitalising, hydrating and refreshing – the power of the ocean in a scent.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and fruity notes
Heart notes: Jasmine and water notes (through Firmenich molecules)
Base notes: Musk, cedar, algae, moss and sand flowers

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the brands