Sandra‘s Closet

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. Make those last days of winter count. Regardless of where you live, welcoming the spring season is something out of a dream. It is just a little bit closer to the yearly summer solstice that so many of us look forward to. I enjoyed the winter season at my beloved Gstaad Palace, where we took those photos outside the spa.

My look: Glitter jumpsuit (Look 21 F/W 2021), cardigan with neon pink thread (S/S 2020), tweed bag with chain logo (S/S 2020), chain creole earrings (S/S 2021), pearl necklace, sunglasses with chains, black pearl necklace with smiley emoji (F/W 2016), white headband with camellia (S/S 1995), fur boots (F/W 2021), and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
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On Thursday I flew to London as guest of UBS to watch the UK premiere of «The Mother», a powerful narrative dance production based on Hans Christian Andersen‘s dark tale, choreographed by Arthur Pita and starring super ballerina Natalia Osipova, principal of the Royal Ballet, alongside multi-award winning dancer Jonathan Goddard, that was accompanied by an amazing original live music performance.

My look: Tempest ballet dress by Zimmermann, vintage shocking pink quilted heart-shaped vanity case and key necklace, both by Chanel, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent and  Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

With my lovely host Gabriel Cohen, UBS Wealth Management, …

… and with primaballerina Natalia Osipova at the gala dinner.

After the ballet, I was invited by UBS to join the gala dinner at Skylon restaurant in the presence of the two dance superstars. A true pleasure to meet those outstanding talents in person, especially for me as I used to dance ballet professionally when I was younger.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

It’s Oscar weekend, which means party time in my favorite city in the world. Here you see me at the famous Sheats-Goldstein House, one of the sexiest properties in all Los Angeles. The cave-like concrete-and-glass residence – which is located in Beverly Crest to be precise – was designed by John Lautner and played in many movies, such as in «The Big Lebowski» or «Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle», and served as the setting for a gazillion of fashion editorials.

Photo of James Goldstein and me via his Instagram @jamesfgoldstein

There were two subsequent owners before the mysterious multi-millionaire businessman James F. Goldstein purchased the residence in 1972, in a state of some disrepair. Goldstein commissioned John Lautner to work on the transformation of the house; a series of remodelings that would encompass the entire house over a period of more than two decades. Goldstein himself looks famous and likes to dress in head-to-toe leather always combined with a hat. His favorite brands are Balmain or Saint Laurent.

Goldstein’s personal hat collection in his house.

Goldstein loves to surround himself with celebrities, the house is plastered with memories of those encounters.

Coming back to the Sheats-Goldstein house. It  is probably the most dangerous house I have ever been in. Never get drunk there for sure! There aren’t any rails around the patio or along the outdoor hallway and boy, it’s steep. Everything is glass and even that I knew, I ran against it once, ending up with a huge bump on my forehead.

My look: Cropped suede jacket, patchwork printed silk-georgette dress, Anita fringed suede shoulder bag, suede ankle boots and brown studded belt, all by Saint Laurent. Rose diamond ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Since many years, I have been invited to SIHH, which is the year’s first gathering of professionals in the watchmaking segment and I love going there. Held in January, it sets the tone for the twelve months to come as it rolls out the latest trends. By visiting the glamorous watch fair, you are not only treated to champagne, 5-star hotel accommodation (I stayed at the beautiful Four Seasons in Geneva), but only amazing events with tons of celebrities visiting the prestigious event. 2018 has been one of the fair’s most interesting yet with incredible watches being unveiled and new exhibitors presenting their novelties.

New to the fair is French luxury house Hermès who is showing at SIHH for the very first time.

CEO Piaget Chabi Nouri with me

Altogether there are 35 exhibitors with many newly on-board CEOs such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget. The latter’s new CEO Chabi Nouri presented her fresh direction and won my vote for best booth at the fair. The beautiful tropical island themed decorations featured real lush palm tree embellishments, an indoor pool, and even a simulated skylight.

The brand’s new Altiplano Ultimate Concept, which is with only 2mm of exceptional horology the thinnest watch in the world, was one of the talking pieces of the fair. Personally speaking, I have fallen for Piaget‘s turquoise-colored Limelight Gala watch and some other favorites that you will find below:

LIMELIGHT GALA WATCH BY PIAGET
White gold, set with diamonds
Turquoise dial
Manufacture Piaget quartz movement 690P

PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER
Mini model
18k pink gold
Case set with brilliant-cut diamonds
Triple-loop bracelet

ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD SELFWINDING BY AUDEMARS PIGUET
Selfwinding manufacture calibre 3120
Centre seconds, date,
37mm, dial comes now in pink gold
18-carat pink gold

TONDA 1950 BY PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
PF702 ultra-thin automatic movement with micro rotor
48-hour power reserve
Hand-beveled bridges
18ct rose gold case
Available in stones dial and with diamond setting
Alligator strap

FIFTY-SIX COMPLETE CALENDAR BY VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Precision moon phase
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
18K pink gold
40 mm diameter, 11.6 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Alligator strap

The watches are getting smaller and so are the prices… many watchmakers are opting for less expensive models as Piaget launches for the first time watches in steel, as well as Jaeger-LeCoultre does for the so-called «Polaris» collection. Vacheron Constantin will be making a ladies line and Panerai is releasing a new range of 38mm timepieces, the smallest Panerai watches ever.

Roger Dubuis showed me a novelty for the ladies range that I have fallen in love with immediately but I am not allowed to talk about it until February…!

TONDA 1950 GALAXY by PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
PF702 ultra-thin automatic movement with platinum micro rotor
48-hour power reserve
Hand-beveled bridges
18ct gold case with diamond setting, 064ct
Blue Aventurine dial
Hermès alligator strap

The color to opt for is blue. There was not one booth that didn’t show a variety of azure, indigo, sky or cerulean. As there were so many, I decided to write a separate post about it which will be published soon…

Stay tuned! So much more to come!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On the streets of Milan on my way to a business meeting…

My look: Perfecto leather biker jacket, Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, and star-appliquéd leather ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent, floral print lace dress by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, rose diamond necklace, ring and Limelight Gala watch, all by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last month, when I visited Milan with my daughter, I took her to the Teatro alla Scala, the famous opera house in Milan, which is regarded as one of the leading theatres in the world. Most of Italy’s greatest operatic artists, and many of the finest singers from around the world, have appeared at La Scala. We enjoyed the German opera «Der Freischütz» by Carl Maria von Weber. Being considered the first important German Romantic opera, especially in its national identity and stark emotionality, it was a true pleasure to see it in our mother tongue surrounded by the stunning ambiance of La Scala.

My look: Ruffle-trimmed single-breasted wool coat, ruffle bow dress, embellished leather pumps, and Sylvie mini buckle leather shoulder bag, all by Gucci. Choker with evil eye symbol by Chanel, diamond rose ring and Limelight Gala watch, both by Piaget.

My scent: Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum, which is the first fragrance developed wholly under Alessandro Michele’s creative vision and blended by master perfumer Alberto Morillas. The beautiful powdery floral scent features tuberose and jasmine combined with rangoon creeper, also called Chinese honeysuckle, which is a unique flower discovered in South India that is being used for the first time in perfumery to create a rich fragrance that transports its wearer to an imaginary garden.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
A big thank you to my daughter for taking them!

On Tuesday evening, I went to the Swiss premiere of «Fack Ju Goethe 3», the last part of the famous trilogy. If you have the chance, please watch it. And Ladies, not only because of super handsome Elyas M’Barek, who plays one of the main characters, it is great German entertainment and now in the cinemas.

My look: Cropped snakeskin jacket, star print blouse dress, pink leather belt, pink silk crepe lavaliere and Paris ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent (S/S 2015), printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana. Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Ballet goes fashion – the dancer trend is officially in full swing. Many designers have drawn inspiration from the aesthetics of graceful ballerinas. Since sporting a tulle skirt and a jumpsuit around the city might not feel like the most natural thing in the world, it is still absolutely up-to-date. And at least you can bring designer fashion to your next ballet class.

My look: Jersey jumpsuit by Valentino, Saffiano double handle mini satchel by Prada, lace-up leather ballet flats by Miu Miu, tiara and tulle mini skirt, both by Saint Laurent, cuff by Chanel and Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the Cannes Film Festival. I always have a great time there and have so many wonderful memories such as the dinner I attended with the lovely film crew of «High Strung» and Swarovski. As I am a ballerina myself, I absolutely adore this movie.

Dancing with the main actors: Jane Seymour, Nicholas Galitzine and Keenan Kampa.

The plot is about a hip hop violinist is busking in the New York subway. When he encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.

My look that night: Black embellished cocktail dress and cutout leather platform pumps, both by Saint Laurent, embellished clutch by Balmain, Limelight Gala watch
 by Piaget, leather bracelet by Hermès, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Greenery is the Pantone Color of the Year 2017, a fresh and vibrant yellow-green shade that is considered as nature’s neutral evoking the first days of spring. For me, it is  full of hope and energy and I like it the playful Gucci way.

My look: Ruffle trimmed single breasted wool coat, crêpe-jersey and georgette dress, embroidered leather knee boots and Dionysus embroidered leather hobo bag, all by Gucci. Ring «Diorette» and matching earrings, both by Dior Haute Joaillerie, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht