Sandra‘s Closet

I love Hermès scarves. This essential accessory complements any outfit. It can be worn many ways – around your neck, as a top, at the waist or as a headscarf!

This year, for the first time, the French Maison is launching the so-called «forever scarves» (carrés de toujours). They are heritage scarves, authentic and alive, that honor the original design in a unique and emblematic color. Neither reworked nor redesigned, they are presented in all their simplicity, true to the original drawing of the artist.

Each year from now three designs will follow, in 2023 those ones below are available:

GRAND APPARAT Forever Scarf 90
Designed by Jacques Eudel in 1962
Color: Crème / Gold / Multicolore

This design showcases various pieces of ceremonial harnesses and saddles, which were adornments used for parades and celebrations. The luxuriousness of these embossed leather ceremonial harnesses, trimmed with fringes or braids and adorned with bronze elements, laurel leaves, royal emblems and coats of arms, indicates the nobility of the person being transported as well as the importance of the event. Held together by pyramid studs and braiding, the central picture was inspired by the design of a horse harnessed to a carriage, which was created for the coronation of Louis XVIII.

COACHING Forever Scarf 90
Designed by Julie Abadie in 1976
Color: Rouge / Vert / Blanc

This design is composed of different elements used for harnessing a horse. It depicts Hermès’ original expertise as a harness maker, as well as the elegant equestrian world for which the Maison has become renowned. The background features a blanket lined with a wide wool braid. In the lower right and upper left corners, dress sheets are revealed: blankets which are thrown over horses after exercise or racing to protect them from the cold. In the 17th century, coaches were imposing horse-drawn carriages driven by coachmen that transported passengers and luggage.

ASTROLOGIE Forever Scarf 90
Designed by Françoise Façonnet in 1973
Color: Bleu Cobalt / Vieil Or / Blanc

It was in Mesopotamia that the first calendar was born, around the third millennium BC, followed by the signs of the zodiac. They segmented the sky into twelve sequences which the sun takes one year to pass through. Linked to the lunar cycle and particular planets in the galaxy, they inspired many beliefs and shaped our measurement of time. Here, Gianpaolo Pagni adds stamped motifs to an emblematic scarf designed in 1963 by Francoise Faconnet, inspired by a Renaissance-era astrological table conserved at the Musee de l’Observatoire in Paris. The Italian illustrator’s geometric prints overlap with complex symbols which only the enlightened can decipher.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Hermès
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This feed was in terrible need of some Vitamin Sea. Who else is excited for those carefree days at the beach?! I love wearing vibrant colors that complement sun-kissed skin the best. A great way to protect your hair from the wind, while looking super stylish, is a silk scarf tied around your head. I sported this styling trick a lot at the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands resort.

My look: Jeannie terry midi dress by Zimmermann, Almost Bare metallic leather sandals by Aquazzura, Colorama flap bag in quilted watercolor (S/S 2014) by CHANEL, cutout acetate butterfly sunglasses in shiny black smoke by Fendi, long beaded tassel earrings in forest green by Oscar de la Renta, shell and beaded bracelet by Isabel Marant, Oyster Perpetual 36 with a turquoise blue dial by Rolex, and «Le Géographe» vintage silk scarf 90 designed by Sandra Laroche (1992) by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht taken by Munko at Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
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Adventure time in my new cruelty-free fake fur coat that still captures the luxurious appeal of mink. Nadja Axarlis, founder of FAZ, produces her luxury pieces at a small Parisian atelier. I had a lot of fun taking these photos in the snow outside of the Gstaad Palace hotel.

By the way, the sweater features a travel destination that is on top of my bucket list, can you guess which one it is?

My look: The Cool belted faux fur coat by FAZ, Ines embroidered cashmere-jacquard sweater, and Diana suede leather tote, both by Gabriela Hearst, printed jersey track pants by Dolce & Gabbana, «Vicky» hat in black by Hermès, green rubber boots with logo (F/W 2022 Runway), earrings with red and turquoise stones (Métiers d’Art 2014 Paris – Dallas), and sunglasses, all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography 
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Here is the outfit that I wore for the first night to celebrate Kilian‘s 15th anniversary in Paris. The dress code for the three-day extravaganza? Don’t be shy! You don’t need to tell me twice.

My look: Black playsuit in double black sablé, cropped python and leather jacket, and suede-trimmed crystal-embellished fishnet knee boots, all by Saint Laurent, Constance 18 Mini noir black alligator mat with lizard buckle by Hermès, leather, faux pearl and crystal choker, and silver-tone, crystal and faux pearl clip earrings, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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This week, Hermès celebrated its theme of the year «Vive la Légèreté» in Zurich in an intimate celebration at Kunsthaus. The motto was translated in multiple ways into a breathtaking setup, from the airy clouds decorating the swings where you could take a photo to the dreamlike pegasus installations at the open ceiling. Yvonne Leuthard, Press & Influence Manager Hermès Switzerland, explained to me that those pieces were used at another event in Paris before. Sustainable luxury is something very dear to the French Maison.

Ease became a subject of inspiration to which creatives and craftsmen were invited to respond. Hermès has always been a house dedicated to the quality and sensuality of materials and textures. Known for its precision and artistic complicities, a plethora of its offerings feature silk, soft and light as air.

Thierry Outin, General Director Hermès Switzerland, Sara Mathivet, Store Manager Hermès Zurich, and Florian Craen, Executive Vice-President Sales & Distribution, who had flown in from Paris for the night, welcomed the guests. Dancers dressed in floral costumes performed at the cocktail reception as well at the dinner and made the celebratory event a success.

The food was vegetarian with several outstanding courses prepared by Franzoli, from a fresh herb consommé to a «fir branch» to an amazing pavlova that was presented in a shape of a mountain. The titles of the courses were very pictorial, «the lake», «the undergrowth», «the meadow», «the glacier», «the forest», and «the summit», all inspired by Swiss landscaping.

The culmination of the night was a «golden rain» from above that gave this feeling of lightness and hope. Lightness is when the everyday becomes miraculous, it is in the gentleness of a smile, the tenderness of a touch, the gracefulness of a gesture and the beauty of a night like this.

Thank you, Hermès, for having me!

LoL, Sandra

My outfit was perfectly matching the theme with my winged heels and the cloudy skirt.

The Hermès crocodile gang.

With Kim Dang from NZZ

Photos:  © Sandra Bauknecht
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He is heroic and solitary, midway between comic book character and Greek divinity. With Super H, Hermès opens up a new playful and creative interlude of Time as a new object from the House.

Slim d’Hermès Minuit au Faubourg plays on the worlds of pop art and Paris to create a light, offbeat horological miniature, produced in two series of 24 timepieces each. Its theme is derived from a silk scarf designed in 2014 by Dimitri Rybaltchenko.

The Eiffel Tower stands out against a sky streaked with clouds and studded with aventurine stars, majestically overlooking the legendary sloping zinc Parisian roofs that reflect the bluish gleam of the moon and the rosy glow of the setting sun. The dome of the Invalides can be seen in the distance, along with its neighbouring obelisk on Place de la Concorde. A few streets away, the wings of the Moulin Rouge spin in the summer wind. But the essential element lies elsewhere.

Where? 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. This is where «Hermès Sellier» – as mentioned on the wall sign – took up residence in 1880.
On the top floor sits a secret garden surrounded by a column-lined terrace. At the call of his name, beamed as an H from the top of the Eiffel Tower, Super H is ready to take flight. His cape flutters in the wind, revealing his initial: an orange-brown «H». A superbly proud and majestic comic-strip Pegasus, he stirs the imagination: what will happen? Why was he called? Where will he fly to?

One thing is for sure: Super H will fly off draped in a soft luminescence, thanks to the artisans at Hermès Horloger. A beam of light made of Super-LumiNova is projected from the Eiffel Tower. At night, it sparkles near the dial surface, tracing the outlines of the Super H banner. All around it, the Parisian scene is hand-drawn in micro-painting. Its multiple layers – particularly the thicker one in Super-LumiNova – give the dial a slightly grainy texture, like a canvas.

Entirely hand-crafted and resulting from more than 50 hours of work, each dial will be unique, framed by a 39.5 mm white gold case and powered by the Manufacture Hermès H1950 self-winding movement. Numbered limited edition of 24.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès / David Marchon
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Firmly embedded in the masculine universe of the House, the Hermès H08 watch combines tension and fluidity, robustness and delicacy. This recent signature with its assertive style flaunts its pluralistic nature in an intense shade of blue.
Created in 2021 by Philippe Delhotal, Creative Director, Hermès Horloger, the Hermès H08 watch combines rigorous discipline with high standards. As sporty as it is elegant, it features a strong aesthetic dimension and plays with shapes and materials.

The Hermès H08 watch is a finely balanced object embodying the harmonious interaction of opposites and contrasts. Shaped by attention to detail and accurate skills, it is distinguished by a graphic connection between all its components that represents a true style signature. Its geometric lines reveal a bold style involving a circular dial with singular typography, framed by a case with softened edges.

Its deep blue titanium case is topped by a black ceramic bezel and screw-down crown. A play of textures and finishes highlights the blue PVD-treated dial, punctuated by white Arabic numerals and orange accents. The black hands indicating the hours, minutes and seconds, as well as the date between 4 and 5 o’clock, are driven by the Manufacture Hermès H1837 mechanical self-winding movement.

A blue rubber strap with a black DLC titanium buckle underscores its sporty spirit and creates an urban and contemporary look echoing the world of Hermès men’s ready- to-wear.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès
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It’s not an April’s fool. I just got back from NYC to visit the Watches & Wonders fair in Geneva (so many incredible things to show you… if you have been following my Instastories, you know what I am talking about) and now I am packing again and will be off to Boston this weekend. I couldn’t be more excited as I am visiting my daughter for her birthday.

What to pack for Boston is always a challenge as the weather can be so unpredictable. You can have a beautiful sunny day followed by a snow storm 24 hours later. So layers are always a great way to be prepared for all possibilities. My teddy coat is one of my favorites to travel with. It is so light, yet so warm.

The photos were taken in several places, on the new pedestrian bridge that connects two ends of Northeastern university campus, on one of the most photographed streets in the city, Acorn Street, that is reminiscent of a colonial Boston, as well as in front of the famous bronze ducks located in the Public Garden.

My look: Teddy Bear Icon camel hair and silk-blend coat by Max Mara, Dioraura cashmere sweater by Dior, FF-jacquard shearling-lined ski headband by Fendi, fringed checked cashmere scarf by Burberry, Kurt high lace-Up boot by Celine, low-cut skinny jeans by Polo Ralph Lauren, Twilly Doll «La Folle Parade» by Hermès, and Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Over the past fortnight, the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag has become a familiar sight of solidarity. By wearing this color combination to the Bold Woman Dinner with Veuve Clicquot, I wanted to send one straight and bold message: spread love not war. The world could be so beautiful if we learnt to live with each other in a peaceful way no matter our skin color or nationality.

I wish we had more female leaders – I am convinced, the world would be a better place.

My look: Blue puff-sleeve flared faille midi dress by Alexander McQueen, royal blue silk satin bow tie pumps by Aquazzura, necklace by Alessandra Rich, Constance 24 in Evercolor Lime with palladium hardware by Hermès, Maillon de Cartier 16mm 18-karat white gold diamond watch, and Clash de Cartier bracelet MM in white gold, both by Cartier, and vintage blue sapphire earrings by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

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

In times of quarantine and lockdowns, during holiday season or just for fun, board games  are always a welcome distraction of the day. If you have a fellow fashionista friend, this could be a great gift idea. Board games have been rendered in a variety of shapes and materials by several fashion houses, from luxe crystal-embellishments to sturdy wood. I have gathered some of the most beautifully designed chess sets and game boards that are sure to delight everyone from game novices to Kasparov-level players.

LoL, Sandra

Lambskin, resin and silver metal, black and ecru checkers set by CHANEL (Métiers d’Art 2021 Le Château des Dames) (FYI, the Zurich store has one set left)

Chess set by Prada

Acrylic chess set by Jonathan Adler

Horsecut chest game by Hermès

Crystal-embellished Dominoes game by Rosantica

K/Ikonik monogram card game by Karl Lagerfeld

Barocco Medusa puzzle game by Versace

Decorative backgammon set by L’Objet

Nudes tournament size backgammon set by Alexandra Llewellyn

Helios mahjong set by Hermès

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht
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