Sandra‘s Closet

Last month, I had the absolute pleasure to fly to Paris with Hublot for the launch event of the House’s collaboration with DJ Snake, who has such a huge presence in today’s musical landscape that he needs no introduction. The electronic music star first came to public attention with the track «Turn Down For What», released in 2013. Since then, the hits have racked up: «Lean On», «Loco Contigo», «Let Me Love You» with Justin Bieber, and «Selfish Love» with Selena Gomez. Diplo, Kanye West, Lil Jon… the collaborations keep on coming!

Framed by Ricardo Guadalupe to the left and DJ Snake to the right.

He became the first French artist to have two songs with over a billion plays on Spotify, and the awards have rained down: Billboard Music Awards, MTV Music Awards, and no fewer than three NRJ Music Awards. Hublot and DJ Snake have been partners since January 1st 2018, when he presided over the decks at Hublot’s closing evening during the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

There is something else that needs no further introduction… when Hublot invites, there is always a dazzling party. The evening started with a cocktail reception at the Accor Arena in Paris.

The big reveal during the cocktail reception.

The exclusive Hublot Big Bang DJ Snake was revealed at exactly at 9:30 p.m., when Hublot CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe and the watch’s namesake, DJ Snake, presented the 100-piece limited model for the first time to the invited guests, among them Adriana Lima, Iris Mittenaere, Didi Stone and Richard Orlinski.

Afterwards, DJ Snake, the most streamed French artist in world and Hublot ambassador since 2018, heated up the crowd with his international hits.

«To be able to wear – and also offer my fans – a watch which reflects my personality is something that has been very important to me since the start of my partnership with Hublot. I am delighted to have been able to combine my inspiration with the expertise of the fantastic watchmakers and technicians at this Swiss brand.»
DJ Snake

The Big Bang DJ Snake is a vibrant watch boasting myriad facets, just like the talented artist who inspired it. The instantly recognisable iconic design of the Big Bang here gleams with a thousand coloured reflections. The bezel and the six titanium components of the 45-mm case are adorned with a «Newton’s Rings» effect. This process, which is technically similar to a black PVD treatment, is achieved through charging with colours and precisely orienting the components to a certain position to obtain the required colour.

At the DJ put: DJ Snake wearing the Big Bang DJ Snake and me wearing the Big Bang Unico Summer.

The result is an optical effect in which the colors change depending on the light and when viewed from different angles. Not only that, but the surface of the parts was hardened before the iridescent treatment in order to improve its adherence. This operation is a complex one as it is difficult to obtain the same gradation of colour on each of the 100 watches being produced. The cut-outs on the outer edge of the bezel were designed by DJ Snake himself. These notches make the Big Bang DJ Snake immediately recognisable, distinguishing it from other collections. An illustration of the «Art of Fusion» philosophy so dear to Hublot!

The upper face of the sapphire dial features a map of the world in the same colours as the case. This globe acts as DJ Snake’s signature. A nod both to his travels across the planet for his concerts and to the fact that his hits have made the world his home. The lower section is skeletonised and treated to create sections with a black fumé finish.

This semi-transparent finish allows a glimpse of the famous calibre HUB1242 UNICO movement, a flyback chronograph with a power reserve of 72 hours.

Limited to 100 pieces, the Big Bang DJ Snake will be supplied with two straps which are easily interchangeable thanks to the patented One Click system. The first is made from rubber, with a grey, black and purple camouflage pattern which echoes the myriad colours reflected by the watch case. The second, also rubber, has a black ribbed structure. The clasp on these straps also features the same «Newton’s Rings» effect as the case and bezel.

I am loving it and hope, that you will do too. Please enjoy more impressions of that fantastic night below. I feel so honored to be photographed by famous photographer German Larkin for Hublot.

LoL, Sandra

With German Larkin who photographed…

Adriana Lima and…

and my humble self for Hublot! I love those photos.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Hublot, © German Larkin

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