Sandra‘s Closet

As promised here is the new dual-step treatment system to rejuvenate ageing skin. Every La Prairie product is backed by 90 years of cellular science, and the Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Mask is a milestone in skincare research. The Platinum Multi-Peptide and Cellular Complex help restore youthful skin, giving you visible plumping with the brand’s patented Micro-Infusion Technology. This unique advancement means that hyaluronic acid and collagen can permeate the skin barrier to create results akin to sought-after aesthetic procedures without needles.

Apply in the evening to the face, neck and décolleté as the finishing touch to your skincare routine. La Prairie recommends using the mask at least once a week and up to three times a week.

• Enriched with platinum
•  Macro-Infusion Technology delivers large biomolecules for immediate benefits
• Designed to improve skin texture, plumpness and bounce
• Helps to reactivate the skin’s own rejuvenating process

The LA PRAIRIE Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Mask (20ml) is available from Mid November 2023 for €1579.00
TO SHOP LA PRAIRIE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

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

While being in London, I had the pleasure to be invited by NET-À-PORTER and La Prairie to a beautiful dinner at Daphne’s restaurant.

Renowned Swiss clinic La Prairie first opened its doors in 1931 – since then, the brand has expanded to offer innovative skincare with the same effects as its in-office treatments. Backed by over 90 years of cellular science, the range uses proprietary active ingredients including its patented Exclusive Cellular Complex, an anti-aging elixir that boosts skin’s natural rejuvenation process.

During the evening, we learned a lot about the powerful ingredients and indulged in an extremely yummy caviar themed dinner. A new must-have product will launch in November that I will tell you all about in the next post.

TO SHOP LA PRAIRIE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

With Newby Hands, Contributing Global Beauty Director Net-A-Porter

With Daniel Stangl, Director Innovation bei La Prairie Group

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

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, La Prairie announces lead patronage of Niki de Saint Phalle‘s most substantial U.S. retrospective at MoMA PS1 in New York.

On view from March 11 to September 6, 2021, Niki de Saint Phalle: Structures for Life will feature over 200 works created from the mid-1960s until the artis’s death, highlighting Saint Phalle’s interdisciplinary approach and engagement.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Californian Diary (Order and Chaos). 1994

La Prairie honours Niki de Saint Phalle’s audacious and visionary feminist spirit – her defiance of social norms and her willingness to break the codes both in her personal life and work. The work of Niki de Saint Phalle has a particular resonance for La Prairie as it was her striking use of cobalt blue that was the inspiration behind La Prairie’s iconic Skin Caviar Collection colour.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Flaçon de parfum. 1982

In 1982, Niki was developing her eponymous fragrance from her atelier in a shared design studio in
New York where La Prairie’s team would often engage in creative exchanges. When La Prairie
encountered Niki de Saint Phalle’s cobalt blue – her favourite colour that she describes «as the colour
of joy and luck» – the link became clear: only cobalt blue would do. A fortunate encounter that would
spark a bond with the House of La Prairie and seal it forever.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Collection

Just as Niki de Saint Phalle raised awareness on modernist, progressive views, La Prairie’s founder paved the way to pioneering discoveries. Dr. Paul Niehans was a dreamer, a seeker of beauty. Art was central to his science, central to his dream to hold time in his hand, central to his pioneering spirit. A spirit mirrored in Niki de Saint Phalle’s inner flame of audacity. She expressed a new femininity, one which stood in opposition to the conventional influences and values of society.

Niki de Saint Phalle working on the set for The Travelling Companion at her studio near Milly-la-Forêt. 1977.

Through her lifetime, Niki de Saint Phalle used her platform as an artist to bring attention to various issues advocating for women’s equality to provoke and trigger conversations – a legacy that today continues to inspire new generations of artists and women beyond. Niki de Saint Phalle also shaped art movements such as Nouveau Réalisme. As the only woman in the 1960s-founded group, she offered a unique perspective and proved her art was as innovative as her male counterparts.

Niki de Saint Phalle. La femme et L’oiseau fontaine. 1967–88

«Niki de Saint Phalle created artwork that explicitly rejected patriarchal values and artistic convention. Her Nanas confront Western standards of femininity and decorum: they are brash, ecstatic, and embrace sexuality. She created her Nanas at such a large scale specifically so that they could dominate – literally tower over – men. Saint Phalle was also an iconoclast in her personal style and way of life,» according to Ruba Katrib, Curator of the exhibition.

Last Night I had a dream, 1968-1988

This collaboration with the upcoming exhibition at MoMA PS1 in New York is an opportunity for the Swiss luxury house to enable the world to experience Saint Phalle’s revolutionary work. It is also an expansion of La Prairie’s support of art and culture by creating new connections with the world of art and its various representatives, whether emerging or established artists or cultural institutions. A commitment that continues to flourish and to build on the House’s existing partnerships with art fairs Art Basel and West Bund Art & Design and the iconic Fondation Beyeler in Switzerland.

More information at moma.org/ps1. I would love to see this exhibition and truly hope that we will be able to travel to the U.S. soon again.

LoL, Sandra

Niki de Saint Phalle with La Fontaine Stravinsky

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie, © 2021 Niki Charitable Art Foundation
© Michiko Matsumoto, © Leonardo Bezzola Estate

La Prairie, the luxury skincare house, has comissioned award-winning Swiss artist Douglas Mandry to produce a series of images of Swiss landscapes that highlight the beauty of Swiss nature and its inherent fragility.

«Capturing Swiss nature is a testimony of its sublime essence. Looking at a landscape, I start to simplify shapes. Once I have captured this piece of nature, I transform it. This is the starting point of my creations: merging my experience of nature with my cultural background.»

For the collaboration with La Prairie, Douglas Mandry traveled throughout Switzerland to capture the wild environment and impressive landscapes of his homeland.
«After hours of walking, sometimes I just happen to be at a place which strikes me. Capturing this nature is for me a testimony of its sublime essence. Afterwards, I try to re-appropriate this untouched and unspoiled environment and make it my own. So the whole process is about merging my experience of nature with my cultural background,” explained Mandry.

Experimenting with both traditional photographic techniques and pioneering new processes, Mandry uses the medium as a raw material, stretches it, reworks it to go beyond the qualities of the original photograph. By manipulating his photographs in this way and combining them with non-photographic elements, he creates a new typology of objects that rests somewhere between two- and three-dimensionality.

With this new venture, La Prairie proudly continues to collaborate with Swiss artists. Douglas Mandry’s inspiring tribute to Swiss nature speaks to La Prairie’s own tireless pursuit of timeless beauty. A pursuit that has become a purpose, for the luxury house who supports initiatives promoting culture and science through the prism of Switzerland as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Left: The three unique works that will be auctioned off. Right: Mandry at work.

To that end, three unique works, the striking result of La Prairie’s collaboration with Douglas Mandry will be auctioned online on Artnet Auctions from November 4-18, 2020.
The proceeds of the sales will be donated as part of the brand’s ongoing support for ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) through its ETH Foundation. Their pioneering work in the field of climate studies, glaciology and environmental conservation is shared with La Prairie’s overarching commitment to protecting and preserving its land of origin.

Please enjoy this little interview with Douglas Mandry:

Tell us more about yourself an as artist. What is your background?
I was born in Switzerland and work in Zurich today as an artist and photographer, where my studio is based. I graduated in 2013 from Lausanne’s ECAL University for Design and Art with a specialisation in photography.

What are your main sources of inspiration?
I do read a lot. I am inspired basically by any possible thing. I try to cultivate a background in image paintings, philosophy, and a bit of technology too. My work is a response to society, to different aspects of the society I have grown up in and I live in. My own experience of life has become a tool for inspiration.

Please share some insight about your creative process. What is the idea behind «breaking/manipulating» reality?
The way we experience reality is so complex and has many layers to it. As a photographer, if you think of representing reality, you think of constructing a certain reality through photography. When I was studying and doing my own photographs, I realised that I was more interested in constructing my photographs than actually taking them. The whole process before I take the picture is, for me, as — if not more — interesting than taking the picture or enjoying the result. Photography has so many aspects to it: between the moment you create or you have an idea of creating an image, until the way you or someone else experiences it, it’s actually a lot of steps. It is a succession of steps and each one is equally important to create a result.

What is your definition of Swissness?
To me, Swissness has two sides to it. On one hand, a high respect for tradition, knowhow and craftsmanship. And on the other hand, an advanced interest for progress in technological precision and development. Two sides which work really well in one concept.

How was your collaboration with La Prairie? What does the brand evoke to you?
La Prairie evokes to me many Swiss qualities, such as a close connection to nature but also a certain very precise know-how and elevated craftsmanship. This is what I consider the essence of Switzerland to be.

Do you think that art and beauty are related? How?
I believe beauty is everywhere. Art can be used to question beauty or to establish beauty standards across time and different cultures. They are more than related, they flow with each other.

Tell us about your future projects.
I am currently developing a project focusing more specifically on the topic of Swiss glaciers, working both with archive photographs and experimental image-making tools.

Thank you, Douglas!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © La Prairie

Last week, Art Basel took place, that brings the international artworld together, with leading galleries  from all over showing the works of over 4,000 modern and contemporary artists. Creating an exciting, region-wide art week, Art Basel is one of three shows – others are taking place in Hong Kong, and Miami Beach. I went there for the First Choice Preview on Tuesday, that you can only visit by invitation only, wearing one of my favorite outfits of the season.

My look: Lace-trimmed printed silk-twill bustier top, printed stretch-jersey leggings, and gold-tone and printed silk-twill earrings, all by Versace, black oversized tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, classic Paris D’Orsay pumps with bow and metallic-trimmed leather clutch, both by Saint Laurent, Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Inside the fair, there is also the Collectors Lounge, where the event’s main sponsors have their dedicated areas and which you can only visit by invitation. As guest of UBS, I enjoyed my time at the UBS Lounge that was decorated by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero. Later, I went for a glass of champagne at the Ruinart Lounge that showed the artworks of Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Luxury beauty brand La Prairie partnered with three up-and-coming Swiss female artists to interpret the beauty, the mystery and the enduring timelessness of the gaze, resulting in the creation of three photographic installations.

I got asked what my favorite artwork is and I replied: «I love fashion – for me that is wearing art on my body». But of course, there were many amazing pieces to be discovered. Enjoy!

A big thank you to my hosts Gabriel Cohen, UBS Wealth Management, and Natascha Lander, UBS Chief Investment Office, Wealth Management.

I hope you like my look and the little excursion into the art world…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

We can say with clear conscience that Perfumery Osswald is one of Zurich’s most traditional and iconic places to shop beauty must-haves. Opened in 1921 at Kreuzplatz by pharmacist Boris Dreiding, it was the place to get products from major brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein or Guerlain from the beginning. Dreiding also had the formula for Chanel N°5 that he produced for the Swiss market at that time.

The Dreiding family: Boris, Jago, Tamara and Tanja

After the Second World War, his son Jago Dreiding took over the business and moved the location to Bahnhofstrasse 17, where it is still based today. In 1980, he founded the «Salon de Beauté», the beauty spa, in the basement and successfully directed the perfumery Osswald until 1992. Thereafter, his widow Tamara Dreiding continued the business, until her daughter Tanja Dreiding Wallace took over the helmet in 2014. In 2012, the dynamic brunette had already opened the first international branch in New York’s Soho district (for a previous post, click here please). Being based in the US, she talks and e-mails daily with her team in Zurich and flies back to Switzerland at least once every second month.

Tanja Dreiding Wallace with me yesterday in the newly renovated store.

When in the beginning of 2018, the opportunity came up to rent more space in the back of the building, managing director Tanja Dreiding Wallace did not hesitate to give the iconic place a makeover and to enlarge the retails space.

«Today, our customers want more than just shopping. They want you to have an exceptional experience and a perfect 360-degree service to be offered. Thanks to the renovation and expansion of our business premises, we can now fully respond to these wishes.»
– Tanja Dreiding Wallace, CEO Perfumery Osswald

The world’s first La Prairie Lounge in the new design of the brand.

The idea for the interior design came up with the decision to integrate the world’s first and extremely exclusive La Prairie Lounge in the new design of the luxury brand. The premises are designed in warm natural colors and earthy tones, creating a homely yet elegant ambience. The carefully curated offer of selected niche fragrances, makeup products, luxury toiletries and accessories got more space are presented in a sophisticated way inviting customers to stroll through the corridors.

When you enter the store, new launches will be presented on round tables.

 Bahnhofstrasse 17, 8001 Zurich
Phone: +41 44 211 20 30
www.osswald.ch

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Osswald and © Sandra Bauknecht

«The aura given out by a person is as much a part of them as their skin,» proclaimed renowned 20th-century portraitist Lucien Freud when discussing his artistic aspiration to capture the complexion of his subjects. A perfect, glowing complexion is, after all, the incarnation of timeless beauty, the picture of health, the very essence of youth. But the portrait of beauty is only as perfect as its canvas — there can be no perfect complexion without perfect skin.

Are you looking exactly for this perfection? Then I would recommend that you try LA PRARIE‘s new Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation, the first compact foundation infused with Caviar Water, the brand’s exclusive cellular complex, that is combined with technologically advanced pigments and SPF 25 broad spectrum. The result is a fluid, hydrating emulsion that provides natural-looking complexion enhancement, smoothing and essential protection all in a single, perfect product.

Housed in a sleek portable compact, it is the beauty must-have for on-the-go touch-ups with sun protection that leaves skin with a refined texture, while buildable light-to-medium coverage offers a seamless, natural-looking finish.

Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation is available for CHF 225.00 (2 x 15ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie
@laprairie #skincaviar #artofcomplexion #caviarinmybag

This is literally the caviar among skin care, the ultimate luxury for your facial care.
LA PRAIRIE’s White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire is a lavish cream infused with a potent brightening serum to fight the appearance of discolouration and age spots. Drawing its unrivalled power from a new, breakthrough molecule, this luxurious formula goes beyond mere brightening to unlock the power of light. It diffuses shadows and leaves the skin looking immaculate with extraordinary luminosity.

Following years of research that included screening 50,000 active ingredients to find the single most powerful brightening ingredient, the molecule Lumidose was identified by the scientists at LA PRAIRIE as the most effective in supporting the inhibition of melanin production.

White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire works at the speed of light. The formula’s optimized concentration of active ingredients helps it to reach the source of discolouration, providing an extraordinary brightening effect.

Effects include a marked reduction in the visibility and intensity of age spots; improvement in the appearance of dull, discoloured skin; an evened complexion; and the firming and refinement of the skin’s texture. Skin feels smoother, and its elasticity and moisture levels are improved.

White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire provides measurable results in 2 weeks, visible results in 4 weeks, and extraordinary results in 8 weeks.

I have been using it for around four weeks now and was amazed that last weekend a dear friend commented on the disappearance of my pigments that were caused the combination of sun and the anti-baby pill. Looking closer at night in the mirror, I realized that they were absolutely gone. WOW!

In stores now for CHF 788.00 (60ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie @laprairie #whitecaviar #poweroflight 

My avid readers know how much I love London. Personally speaking, a weekend trip to the British metropole is one of my favorite things to do, as the city offers everything you can dream of, culture, shopping, nightlife, and great restaurants.

Happy me at The Lanesborough wearing Mary Katrantzou .

One of my favorite hotels to stay is THE LANESBOROUGH that belongs to the Oetker Collection. Perfectly positioned between Knightsbridge and Mayfair, just a short walk from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and London’s exclusive Sloane Street, this grand mansion overlooking Hyde Park Corner has undergone an inspired renovation by the famed interior designer Alberto Pinto. The hotel is home to 93 luxurious suites and bedrooms, Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant, the vibrant Library Bar and Garden Room and the magnificent Lanesborough Club & Spa.

About the latter I would like to tell you a lot more as this is one of the many reasons to stay at this hotel! It is a true sanctuary of health and relaxation in the city and was crowned the World’s Best New Hotel Spa 2017 at the World Spa Awards™. This private 1600 m² members’ fitness and health clubs and spa with its divine interior, is offering members and hotel guests access to internationally recognised experts in the fields of fitness, beauty and wellness.

The spa’s hydro pool area

A must for all spa lovers: the steam room and sauna.

Beautifully designed: the ladies’ changing room

A sanctuary of relaxation in the city: the private area for spa members

The so-called «Painting Room» serves for manicures and pedicures.

You can enjoy some of the finest spa therapy treatments with products from much-loved spa and beauty brands ila and La Prairie, as well as the expertise of facial and beauty expert Anastasia Achilleos. Good to know is that for non-members, day passes can also be combined with treatment bookings for access to the exceptional facilities.

The restaurant and bar of the Lanesborough Club & Spa

Moreover, The Lanesborough Club & Spa has its own restaurant, offering all-day healthy dining, developed by Michelin-starred Chefs Eric Frechon and Executive Chef Florian Favario in collaboration with Clean & Lean nutritional guidance from Bodyism founder James Duigan. High-protein snacks, smoothies and juices are available throughout the day, and all personal training sessions will finish with a bespoke blended drink to complement each members’ workout.

The hotel’s exquisite rooms and suites, are all uniquely refurbished with stylish, luxurious interiors and responsive technology seamlessly interwoven, including in-room tablets and powerful WiFi. Each room, not only suites, has a round-the-clock, dedicated butler service so that you can be assured that your needs are well served.

The seven-bedroom Royal Suite is a residence fit for a king, queen or head of state.

If you love food, you will enjoy the hotel’s Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant (see photo below) with its richly decorated dining room in light blue and yellow hues, naturally illuminated during the day by a domed glass roof.

Beautiful ambiance at the Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant

Moreover, I recommend the award-winning afternoon tea service, the seductive Library Bar and for the cigar aficionados among you one of London’s best cigar and Cognac lounges – The Garden Room. You see that THE LANESBOROUGH caters to all tastes…

I love having breakfast in the room… the first thing that makes my day…

One of my favorites in London is tea time which is served at the hotel’s «Withdrawing Room».

I am a big fan and hope that you will enjoy your stay at THE LANESBOROUGH as much as I do!

And if you become a fan, I recommend getting this beautiful Globe Trotter The Lanesborough Suitcase, that is only available at Eden Being.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Lanesborough Hotel and © Sandra Bauknecht

Ladies, let’s be honest! When it comes to skincare, to maintain or achieve youthful, radiant skin, the struggle is real. Therefore I would like to introduce you to the newest wonder potion on the planet: La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion. I had the honor to try it for one month before the official launch and love its power. This outstanding pearl elixir transforms your skin in just four weeks. For real!

Think of this new skin miracle as liquid light in a bottle. I am talking about protection against environmental factors and skin stressors, plus dark spot correction. And whilst admittedly, it’s not cheap, it will do wonders for your skin. Brighten, lift, recapture the luminosity of younger-looking, healthier skin with White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion.

How does it work?
The scientists at La Prairie have developed a new proprietary breakthrough in the complex science of brightening skin as they discovered that skin’s uneven tone and loss of luminosity are due not only to melanin-induced spots but also to redness and dullness. Therefore they developed a formula – the first of its kind – that works to fight not one but all three types of skin chromatic disorders revealing luminous, healthy skin.

Everyday stress can lead to permanently irritated skin expressing signs of inflammation and redness. Stress factors include: lifestyle-induced cortisol, UV light, pollutants and chemicals that damage the skin’s natural protective barrier. Atmospheric and domestic pollution that assaults the skin, particularly in urban areas, contributes to a grey, dull complexion. Mature, dry or sensitive skin types are especially vulnerable to pollutants. The shell of the caviar pearls in White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion shields the skin from these harmful particles, forming a protective “second skin”. Its unique structure allows active ingredients to penetrate the skin while shielding it from particles and heavy metals that can damage cells and contribute to a dull appearance.

In stores now for CHF 558.00 (30ml). And trust me, you’ll love the results!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie Switzerland