Sandra‘s Closet

There are two things I love most, fashion and travelling. When they are combined, it is heaven. Here you see me at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich inside the Gottschalk Suite 672 that gives a glimpse into the mind of German entertainer Thomas Gottschalk. Reserved for him at all times, the suite can also be booked by other hotel guests on request, enabling them to plunge into a design world like no other. With a stylish mix of private pieces, elegant materials and designer furnishings, you indulge into a truly unique urban rock ’n’ roll loft atmosphere.

My look: White printed sweater by Christopher Kane, leather zipper-pocket shorts and fur stole, both by Fendi, black suede knee boots by Prada, and orange Birkin bag by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

When you cry ‘wolf ’, it appears on the dial of the new Arceau Awooooo ! watch. Crafted in enamel, the silver-furred animal stands out against a starstudded backdrop featuring a slim moon crescent. This miniature scene is beautifully framed by a white gold case and a matte graphite alligator strap.

A new character in the bestiary designed by Alice Shirley, the Arceau watch now calls “Awooooo!” with its motif initially created for a line of men’s scarves. The fascinating yet feared white wolf of myths and fairy stories emerges from the woods, gloriously wild and depicted in miniature on an enamel-painted dial.

In reproducing the refined original design, the wolf and its star-studded background spring to life by dint of meticulous workmanship. The artisan crafts both sides of the transparent white enamel dial, then carefully polishes it to achieve a perfectly smooth surface. The outlines of the motif are then traced and, using an extremely fine brush, various enamel powders are applied mixed with natural oils. Then come several successive stages of coatings, interspersed with drying and firing in the oven, before the painting takes shape in all its magnificent realism.

Using a graphic style and subtle shades of grey, the animal is shown in its natural, essentially nocturnal way of life. A starry night and a slim moon crescent also evoke the cycle of nature, within which the predator plays an essential role. The overall tone matches the white gold case, whose round shape topped by stirrup-shaped lugs houses a Manufacture Hermès movement.

Fitted with a matte graphite alligator strap, its classic design imagined 40 years ago by Henri d’Origny accentuates the elegance of this eight-piece limited edition.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Numbered limited edition of 8
DIAL
White gold base enamelled using the miniature painting technique.
Awooooo motif from a Hermès scarf designed by the artist Alice Shirley
CASE
Round, 41 mm in diameter in 750 white gold (≈ 52 g)
Anti-glare sapphire crystal and case-back / Water-resistant to 3 bar
21 mm interhorn width
STRAP
Matte graphite alligator with a 750 white gold pin buckle (≈ 5.34 g), 17 mm
MOVEMENT
Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement/ Mechanical self-winding, Swiss made
26 mm in diameter, 3.7 mm thick / 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
50-hour power reserve / Circular-grained and snailed mainplate
Bridges and oscillating weight satin-brushed and adorned with a sprinkling of Hs,
Hermès Paris engraving.
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès / David Marchon

Last Friday, HERMÈS celebrated the reopening of its store in Gstaad with a cocktail inside the retail space followed by an after party at the Tennisclub.

After 6 months of renovation and expansion, the shop, that was first opened in 1974 in the internationally renowned Swiss Alpine ski resort, offers a brighter and larger retail space of 165 m² with a new entrance and a second floor. Designed by RDAI, a Parisian interior design firm, the team was particularly concerned with preserving the uniqueness of the typical mountain architecture and selecting exceptional materials that emphasize the natural character of its surroundings.

A newly positioned entrance and four large windows along the facade create a sunlight filled interior and offer a beautiful view of the pedestrian area of ​​Gstaad.

On the ground floor you will find the silk collections for women and accessories, while the ties and perfumes for men are arranged on both sides of the main entrance. Moreover there is a spacious area dedicated to leather goods, watches and equestrian collections.

The second floor, which plays with the design codes of the traditional chalet interior, is dedicated to the ready-to-wear and shoe collections for men and women as well as the collections for the home.

Gstaad – come up and slow down – and shop at HERMÈS.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of HERMÈS and © Sandra Bauknecht

Hybrid fashion has been trending for some time now and it is a must when you are looking for refreshing staples. Here you see me wearing a deconstructed sweater that instantly catches your eye. Spliced with a lace-trimmed cream satin camisole through the middle, it slouches off the shoulder and has an adjustable spaghetti strap. The gray wool-blend is knitted with touches of cashmere so it feels soft and cozy. Perfect for a stroll through the city.

My look: Cashmere coat in pink by Prada, paneled wool-blend, lace and satin sweater by Alexander Wang, drawstring shorts by Givenchy, suede overknee boots by Dior, Kelly «So Black» by Hermès, GG jacquard pattern knitted scarf, and rabbit-felt fedora, both by Gucci.

The key to fight the autumn blues is to wear some vibrant colors and to have a glowing complexion. One product I can highly recommend is LA MER‘s new The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20. This all-in-one compact is also a hybrid product, a mixture between powder and foundation, especially great for touch-ups on the go. With healing hydration from Miracle Broth™ and color capsule technology, it gives skin a lift of luminosity—for a fresh, flawless look and a plumper, firmer feel, like cashmere for your skin. Available now for CHF 115.00 including a refill and additional sponge applicator.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Working out of French ateliers, HERMÈS has earned a reputation for using the finest leathers in the world—not to mention, each bag is crafted by the same pair of hands, from start to finish. In partnership with Heritage Auctions, MODA OPERANDI brings you a mix of classic and more contemporary shapes, as well as incredibly rare styles that prove there’s an HERMÈS bag to suit every woman. Think Birkins, Kellys, and more in pretty much every colour under the rainbow and every size produced.

Whether you are in mind to shop or browse, click HERE now to view the collection as styles are selling out. The prices are high, you see, those bags are an investment.
Below are my personal favorites:

Designed in the late 19th century, this was the precursor to the infamous Birkin. You won’t find a more fabulous weekender anywhere else: HERMÈS 40cm Lime Evercolor Leather And Toile Birkin HAC.

If you are a Kelly girl, than this will be a must. The owl print dates back to 1990 and is a one-off, meaning only a few were ever produced: HERMÈS 20cm Rouge Vif Calf Box And Silk Kelly.

My personal favorite: a work of art, only the most skilled artisans are able to weave the delicate wicker (and Hermès no longer makes this size): HERMÈS 35cm Osier And Fauve Osier Wicker And Barenia Leather Kelly Picnic.

Tell your hubby you found an extremely savvy investment: pink in an exotic skin sells for the highest prices at auction: HERMÈS 28cm Rose Tyrien Ostrich Sellier Kelly.

Classic and absolutely beautiful in a vibrant colour: HERMÈS 35cm Blue Zanzibar Togo Leather Birkin.

The bags will ship within two weeks from order date.
Expected to ship Nov 16, 2018 – Dec 30, 2018.

TO SHOP THE LARGE SELECTION OF VINTAGE HERMÈS BAGS, CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Moda Operandi

Mosaic. The very name conjures up images of art and light, the meticulous assembly of multi-coloured fragments of which the combination forms an artistic motif. In a 41 mm-diameter Arceau rose gold watch, 2,200 tiny juxtaposed leather squares form a horse profile inspired by the HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

Set against an electric blue backdrop and matching strap, the colourful fragments are lit up by the rose gold glow of the round case with its asymmetrical lugs and slim leaf-type hands. The slender hours and minutes hands are driven by a self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement that can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. This horological creation imbued with the HERMÈS saddle- and leather-making heritage is issued in a 12-piece limited numbered edition.

It’s all there in a notebook kept safely under lock and key, harbouring the secrets of the Hermès artisan who imagined and developed this exclusive technique. A full year and a half of R&D was devoted to devising a process that her touch alone is capable of mastering. For several weeks, she patiently fashions a miniature work of art composed of thousands of variously coloured leather squares. First of all, no less than 3,500 tesserae are finely cut out from carefully selected full-grain calfskin. Subsequently, to fit inside the even smaller space afforded by the dial,
2,200 leather fragments compose an equestrian motif.

Such a piece of art.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès

Scarf addicts silk it out loud. Keep the carrhythm…
HERMÈS takes its theme of the year «Let’s Play» literally and invites you to play your favorite song and enjoy carréoké-ing in an Hermès F/W 2018 silk scarf (don’t miss the video at the end of this post…).

Scarf dressing has been spotted in all ways on the F/W 2018 runways…

With scarf dressing and revival of the ’80s being major fashion trends, it is absolutely worth checking out the French Maison’s new collection of must-have silk accessories that you can tie as you like for example as bag straps; purse accessories; nontraditional ankle straps or just wrapped around the head.. the creativity is all yours.

And moreover who does silk scarves better then HERMÈS –  the honest answer? Nobody!

Great news is that after Madrid, Rome, New York City, Brussel and Munich, on October 26, 2018, HERMÈS will open the SILK MIX pop-up store in Zurich, which will be inspired by the look of a record store to house the Maison’s men’s silk, presenting a great variety of shawls, scarves and ties along with the power of color that Hermès is so famous for. Carré motifs decorate album covers, tie designs dress cassettes. It is an invitation to let the beats and melodies drive you. Each disc – or cloth – is associated with a part from the soundtrack of the Prêt-à-Porter men’s runway shows of the past eight years.

Silk Mix Pop-Up-Store
October 26 until November 3, 2018
Galerie Nadja Brykina, Sihlstrasse 91, 8001 Zurich / Switzerland

Music is everywhere. For exploring, dancing and singing along.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and Video: © Hermès

For the Hermès’ theme of the year «Lets’ Play» celebration in Paris, I took the «overdressed with a sense of humor» dress code literally and went for this Dolce & Gabbana look. The designer duo takes their inspirations seriously, so it’s no surprise that my gown is stacked with Queen of Hearts-prints. The playing card figure appears also bedazzled on my headpiece while little cars on my earrings finish of the fun ensemble.

My look: Queen of Hearts gown (Look 16 from the S/S 2018 runway), clip earrings with cars and flowers, matching headpiece with veil, and Dolce Box embellished croc-effect and textured-leather clutch, all by Dolce & Gabbana, and red Janis pumps by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let’s Play!

Yes, play! Because playing means being together, because it’s a way of learning about ourselves and others, a way of letting chance have its say, of both controlling and letting go. Because it is joyous, jubilant even. Because play reshuffles the pack. Because play is movement, freedom, imagination, fantasy, seduction, lightness. Where there’s play, there’s hope! But yes! After all, don’t players form a kind of alternative society? Doesn’t play itself form the outline of an utopia? Could we create, could we invent, could we even just imagine if we didn’t play? Certainly not at Hermès in any case, where our first comrade in play was the horse. Who knows, maybe that is the secret of our longevity. For a hundred and eighty years, this house has never stopped playing.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas
Artistic Director of Hermès

Mid June, I flew to Paris as guest of HERMÈS (those who have been following me on Instagram have already seen many photos and impressions), to celebrate the Maison’s theme for 2018 which is «Let’s Play», evoking emotions of whimsicality and playfulness. Each year has a theme that celebrates the French iconic brand’s vision and creative direction. As Pierre-Alexis Dumas said: «This year, Hermès is inviting you to play. It is meant to encourage people to break down barriers, let loose and have fun.»

With Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director of Hermès. Under his direction, the firm has seen its biggest growth in decades, with sales of 4 billion euros in 2014.

The story of HERMÈS’ year themes started in 1987 with the «Year of the Fireworks» to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary and was conceived by the late chairman and chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas. Since then, it has been a consistent feature of the brand and each year, new amazing themes take place.

Past Year Themes:
2012: The Gift of Time
2013: The Sporting Life
2014: Metamorphosis, an Hermès Story
2015: Flâneur Forever
2016: Nature at Full Gallop
2017: Le Sens de l’Objet

The concierge was announcing my arrival at the festivities.

When I was in Paris, HERMÈS turned the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild into a «Play House» and  interpreted the game in all its forms: board games, optical illusions, televised games, charade games, casino, and a musical quiz, just to name a few things that played with our senses that night.

When I arrived, I was greeted by my name by the concierge in the courtyard. Two sphynx-inspired ladies portraying the famous woman-headed lions of greek mythology were guiding us through the hallway up to the playrooms.

The dress code said «overdressed with a sense of humor» and everyone came up with the most amazing, hyper-elegant, extravagant, quirky looks.
It was definitely worth putting some effort in your outfit as the French brand spared no expense in showing its company theme «Let’s Play» by transforming the location into an immersive fun fair. Games were everywhere besides champagne and yummy food, both in the living rooms on the ground floor and the first floor. At each game, there were actors to explain the rules, to bring them to life, to hand out little nuts…

This Hermès Fantasy was equipped with all of the elements you could possibly imagine: from a wheel of fortune to roulette, from an area where you could play «sit and run» to skittle dog.

«We are a traditional company of craftsmanship and a creative company of today,» noted Hermès CEO Axel Dumas. Even he – a sixth-generation scion of Hermès founder Thierry Hermès – isn’t immune to the brand’s playfulness.

With Axel Dumas, CEO Hermès

Stay tuned for the detailed outfit post to follow about my playing cards-inspired look and enjoy more impressions of this fantastic night below.

LoL, Sandra

Time to play…

Get lucky or die trying

Skittle Dog!

Spin the wheel!

So much fun to play musical quiz.

Closet life: posting live from the event.

A huge thank you to Françoise Garnier, Hermès Switzerland, for inviting me and for taking all the photos! We had such a great time together.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Hermès

Before leaving on vacation and working on a fast pace, I wore this fun onesie which is part of the raceway-themed Miu Miu Cruise 2018 collection to a meeting in Zurich. I adore it because on life’s fashion track, a girl likes to sparkle, even when dressing down.

My look: Patch-embroidered jumpsuit with racer girl print by Miu Miu, pink leather belt by Saint Laurent, Cloudbust logo-embossed rubber and leather-trimmed mesh sneakers by Prada, Birkin shoulder bag in Swift leather by Hermès, «So Real» sunglasses and hoop earrings, both by Dior, Tonda 1950 clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Ladies, start your engines!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht