Sandra‘s Closet

So much traveling behind and ahead of me and I am loving it. Here you see me two weeks ago on my way to a fantastic night at Annabel’s in London enjoying the live performance of famous DJ Black Coffee. After that I left to Saint Tropez (definitely with this clutch in my suitcase) for some fun time with friends, followed by my school reunion in Frankfurt. Yesterday, I was back in Zurich, today I am in Wimbledon and then tonight off to Johannesburg. No matter where I am and what I am doing, my motto is shine and sparkle and enjoy life to the fullest.

My look: Sequinned flared tulle jumpsuit by Halpern, St. Tropez beaded leather clutch by Aquazzura, Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci, silver-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, sunglasses by Celine, and laser-cut leather corset belt by Alaïa.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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I am happy as a bug back in my London home. The city has grown so much on me with its diverse and vibrant flair and I have made amazing friends here. Good vibes, good life!

My look: Braided metallic checked wool-blend bouclé jacket, silk-satin jacquard shirt, and matching cropped silk-satin jacquard wide-leg pants, all by Gucci, crystal drop choker necklace by Alessandra Rich, wallet on chain, and loafers with logo buckle, both by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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Greetings from South Africa! Sea Point is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Cape Town, and it’s easy to see why. The neighbourhood offers stunning views of the ocean and the famous Lion’s Head, as well as some fantastic restaurants and pubs. Being an affluent neighbourhood, it is situated between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean with the popular promenade on the edge of the shore stretching all the way into Mouille Point passed Green Point. Here you see me at Queen’s Beach, which is more secluded than those beneath the main stretch of the promenade right after I arrived in my travel outfit. Cozy, comfy, yet stylish – ready to conquer the rest of the day! Do you sea my point?!

My look: Zipped GG-appliqué jacket, GG logo print knitted top in blue, Rhyton logo-print leather sneakers, and cat-eye marbled-acetate sunglasses, all by Gucci, black wide drawstring pants, (Look 33 Pre-collection Summer 2021) and wallet on chain, both by CHANEL, «Coaching» Forever Scarf 90 by Hermès, Tank Française 25.05mm medium 18-karat gold and stainless steel watch by Cartier, and Coco Crush bracelet in yellow gold, all by CHANEL Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Breaking news before the weekend: Valentino has named former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele its creative director. Only a week after designer Pierpaolo Piccioli exited the Roman couture house after 25 years, including 8 years as its sole creative director.

The brand will not show menswear or haute couture in June. Michele’s first show for the brand will take place during Paris Fashion Week in September.

«I feel the immense joy and the huge responsibility to join a maison de couture that has the word ‘beauty’ carved on a collective story, made of distinctive elegance, refinement and extreme grace,» Michele said in a statement.

Gucci S/S 2016 designed by Alessandro Michele

Rumors were that Michele would head to LVMH, so the news come a little unexpected. Valentino is owned by Mayhoola, the fashion group backed by the Qatari royal family that also owns Balmain and Pal Zileri. Last year, Kering acquired 30 percent of Valentino for €1.7 billion – implying a valuation worth of €5 billion – as part of a broader partnership with Mayhoola. The agreement gave Kering the option to acquire 100 percent of Valentino «no later than 2028». The former Gucci designer – a brand that also belongs to Kering – is a is known for its maximalist aesthetic that helped triple sales at the megabrand.

The designer will work once more with chief executive Jacopo Venturini, who previously led Gucci’s merchandising efforts alongside Michele and then-CEO Marco Bizzarri before joining Valentino.

«The reinterpretation of the maison’s couture codes and the heritage created by Mr. Valentino Garavani, combined with Alessandro’s extraordinary vision, will bring us moments of great emotion and will translate into irresistibly desirable objects,» Venturini said.

Kering chairman François-Henri Pinault added in a statement: «With his creativity, culture and versatile talent, Alessandro Michele will be able to interpret masterfully the unique heritage of this magnificent house and make it flourish.»

Valentino S/S 2024 ad campaign

It is an interesting choice and I am really looking forward to seeing how Michele will interpret the House of Valentino, which stands for sophistication, femininity and great tailoring.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Chapman’s Peak Drive is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic Cape Town scenery, with sheer drops to the sea below and towering mountains rising above you. The twists and curves in the road seem endless and it is a photographer’s dream.

My look: Amy cowl-neck knotted asymmetric midi dress by Diane von Furstenberg, 1955 Horsebit small shoulder bag in red by Gucci, Jodie suede platform sandals and Loulou heart-shaped acetate sunglasses, both by Saint Laurent, vintage chain silver and gold necklace by Prada, Tank Française 25.05mm medium 18-karat gold and stainless steel watch by Cartier, and Coco Crush bracelet in yellow gold, all by CHANEL Fine Jewellery.

Hout Bay, situated on the northern side of Chapman’s Peak Drive, is a twenty-minute drive from Cape Town.

Noordhoek Noordhoek, at the southern end of Chapman’s Peak Drive, is a vibrant rural and artistic community village.

I ended the drive at «JAKES on the Common», that is nestled at the foot of the iconic Chapman’s Peak Drive. The restaurant is stylishly decorated with comfortable funky furnishings and plenty of detail without being intimidating. I can absolutely recommend it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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My avid readers know how much I enjoy being up in the air and exploring new places. I absolutely adore flying. The sky is my happy place. Most of the time, I try to fly with hand luggage. However it is not always possible. The past summer, my suitcase got lost five times. I always found it again thanks to some little features I added to my luggage.

I got myself Rimowa’s Petal collection.

First of all, I recommend personalizing your suitcase. Choose a fun color that stands out of all the grey and black luggage that most people use. You can already spot it easily when it is loaded on the plane and you can spot it from far on the carrousel. It is also great for the ground staff when they have to identify a missing piece.

If you would like to take it up a notch and make your piece absolutely unique, I recommend stickers. They are not only absolutely fun but also great to personalize your suitcase. Here are some of the most fun and stylish ones available at the moment.

Sticker Set by Gucci

Sticker Sets by Rimowa

Hotel Postcards Labels Set by Louis Vuitton

In order to be able to track your suitcase yourself, put an AirTag in it. It saved me so many times … Last summer, when many suitcases got stranded, I went in the hall at the airport and played the sound. Like this, I easily spotted it under piles of other suitcases.

If you are not in the mood of doing the artwork yourself, have a look at Louis Vuitton‘s S/S 2024 runway «Side Trunk MM Elysee Palace Hotel MNG» bag that is inspired by the Maison’s first hotel that will open its doors in 2026 on the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées in Paris.

I cannot wait for my next trip … stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht
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GUCCI TO PRESENT ITS NEXT CRUISE COLLECTION IN LONDON NEXT MAY
London, where everything started. The House will showcase its Cruise 2025 collection, designed by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, in London, on May 13. The choice of location pays tribute to Gucci’s profound connection to the British capital, intrinsically linked to the brand’s heritage, and offers new opportunities to delve into the integral role the city has played in shaping the brand’s narrative throughout its storied history as a world-renowned symbol of Italian craft, visionary creativity, and innovative design.

Gucci Creative Director Sabato De Sarno

GUCCI AND LONDON
The story of Gucci began in London in 1897 when a young Guccio Gucci took a job as a luggage porter and liftboy at the city’s exclusive The Savoy hotel. Carrying guests’ luggage through its famous revolving entrance doors and operating the lift up to the rooms and suites, the teenage Guccio encountered up close the tastes and lifestyle of the international elite, absorbing – as if by creative osmosis – new ideas, broader horizons, and more worldly cultural concerns. Inspired by these experiences, and with a new-found aspiration to make his name synonymous with the art of luggage making, Guccio returned to Florence and in 1921 founded his eponymous leather-goods house, followed by the first Gucci store on the city’s Via della Vigna Nuova.

LoL, Sandra

Rodolfo and Guccio Gucci in front of their Florence store in the late 1940s.

Photos: © Gucci
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Remember … you are the star of your own life! Make the most out of it! Bondage is only for fun – no one should live a life in chains. The secret to living is giving and even forgiving. What seems to be negative at first sight might end up as your biggest blessing! To a fantastic 2024!

My look: Black latex bondage gown by Christopher Kane, Kelly Pochette Cut clutch in black Swift leather with gold hardware by Hermès, large CC logo gold Goossens earrings by CHANEL (Cruise 2011), and Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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This weekend I went to Barbados and had the best time. It’s no secret that that the Caribbean island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with aquamarine waters and soft sands. The weather was changing between being sunny and light rain showers, providing a dramatic scenery. The perfect surrounding to sport this beautiful look.

My look: Colours Of Palccoyo jersey maxi dress by Johanna Ortiz, Bromelia 100 metallic canvas espadrille wedge sandals by Castañer, sunglasses with golden frame and burgundy lenses by Gucci, small messenger flap bag in Tiffany blue by CHANEL, Oscar seashell choker by Isabel Marant, Rose Céleste necklace, and Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, both by Dior Fine Jewellery, and coral earrings by Oscar de la Renta.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Right now, I am in Florence as guest of Farfetch and Gucci for an outstanding private client experience. I will share many amazing moments with you, starting with an amazing dinner at the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura restaurant headed by the Italian three-Michelin-star chef.

The restaurant is part of Gucci Garden, that is also home to the brand’s gallery space. Opened in 2018 , it is situated in Florence’s central Piazza della Signoria, that also neighbors the Gucci Giardino 25 café and cocktail bar.

With lovely Liz Parmar from the Frafetch team.

One of the key figures in the new Italian cultural Renaissance is Massimo Bottura of three Michelin star Osteria Francescana in Modena. He inspired Karime Lopez, who is ist the helm of Gucci Osteria in Florence, to free her creativity and evolve her cuisine beyond tradition: to be more imaginative, more open and more inventive. From Mexico City, to travelling the world and now Florence, she cooks Italy through her experience, full of travel, discovery and dazzling insights.

I was blown away by this amazing culinary experience in this beautiful location that comes with a contemporary spirit of an historic space. Karime Lopez creates her own culinary universe by interlacing the colours and flavours of Italy and beyond, with irreverent and poetic surprises.

Purple Corn Tostada
Purple Corn Tostada with Adriatic Marinated Bonito, a hint of spice & citrus

Taka’s Bun
Steamed Bun & Pork Belly of Cinta Senese

Memories of a Summer in Versilia
Crispy cod & Mediterranean flavors

Shining Through
Panettone, Clouds & Zacapa Rum

Still Hungry
Tortelloni with Parmigiano Reggiano Cream

I personally adored that the pasta dish was enjoyed after the dessert. That is a specialty of Massiomo Bottura.

In case I vetted your appetite, please find herewith the details of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura:

Piazza Della Signoria, 10
50122 . Firenze . Italy
T. +39 05575927038
M. gucciosteria.

More to come from Florence.
TO SHOP GUCCI X FARFETCH, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!