Sandra‘s Closet

Last night, the 84th Academy Awards 2012 were held in Los Angeles. Question is who won but even more important who wore what! Here is your fashion recap from the Oscars 2012:

White ruled on the red carpet! The sparkling hue of winter worn by Rooney Mara, Milla Jovovich and Cameron Diaz, among others, emerged as one of the evening’s top trends like a fashion blizzard.

My favourite of last night was stunning Gwyneth Paltrow, who totally nailed it in a striking white cape dress by Tom Ford. The “Contagion” actress kept the rest as sleek and elegant as her gown, a sparkly cuff bracelet and her hair held back in a low ponytail. She definitely deserves the Fashion Oscar of last night!

H.S.H Princess Charlène, wife of H.S.H Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco,was dressed in an Akris couture gown created by Swiss designer Albert Kriemler and carried a matching Mini Allegra bag. Her appearance marked the first time a member of Monaco’s royal family is in attendance since Grace Kelly won the Oscar in 1955 as best actress.

Needless to say, red is always a great choice for the red carpet. Best seen on Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman and Emma Stone.

Whatever happened, those ladies came already like the Oscars and one took it even home! Stacy Keibler, love of George Clooney, is quite literally a trophy girlfriend in her golden Marchesa gown, don’t you think?

Dressed in matching black outfit, the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stood out on the red carpet. The couple knows how to draw attention and that does not only mean showing your leg!

The Academy Awards winner of last night were:

Best Picture: The Artist (Thomas Langmann, Producer)

Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

Actress in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Directing: The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius)

LoL, Sandra

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I have put together a Valentine’s gift guide for you with small tokens, grand gestures and everything in-between. Gentlemen, have a closer look and delight your loved one! Wrap up something special and wow your Valentine.

And Ladies, I recommend sending a not-so-subtle hint! In case you are single, why not treating yourself to a fabulous gift?!

Swatch‘s numbered limited edition Valentine’s Day collection:
CATCH MY HEART GZ264S and LOVELY MINE GZ265S, each CHF 60.- (in Swatch stores only)

You can’t go wrong with Ladurée‘s special edition macarons for Valentine’s Day. Starting February 10th, you’ll be able to buy the grapefruit-flavored treats in a special pink-and-blue box.

What about this cute little bag by s.Oliver? €15.95

Sigg‘s famous drinking bottles come in a Valentine’s Limited Edition. A great surprise for your little girl.
Valentines Special / Art. Nr. 8341.70 / 1.0 L / CHF 27.-
Dear Deer / Art. 8322.40 / 0.6 L / CHF 25.-

Alternatively you can surprise your boyfriend in a cool shirt by New Yorker, CHF 16.95.

What about a little game on Valentine’s Day? Agent Provocateur‘s Charades is just perfect for the occasion, CHF 60.-.

Write a love letter with Montblanc‘s Bohème white gold fountain pen with a red heart-shaped ruby (CHF 23.100.-)…

…preferably with Montblanc‘s Love Ink in red (CHF 13.40).

Needless to say, famous fashion houses have jumped on the Valentine’s trend and have come up with many gift ideas, such as Gucci that offers a whole collection of little goodies.

I love this Miu Miu handbag (CHF 990.-) and the matching bracelets (CHF 290.- each).

How cute is this pocket mirror by Louis Vuitton?
Available now for €240.-.

Prada‘s adorable key chain with the little Kara bear trick will surely break some hearts (CHF 190.-).

Give a little love… your iPad will thank you for such a sweet cover (CHF 290.- each)! And spending money might be even more fun with Prada’s heart-print wallet (CHF 450.-).

Chanel offers a more subtle colour palette for their Valentine’s collection.
I am so in love with this cuff, please be mine!

LoL, Sandra

Destination: Summer. Blazing sun, cloudless skies, infinite possibilities. A dip in the sea? A pause by the pool? A spot of shopping or sightseeing? Take a sunbath. Pull up a deckchair. Roll out a beach towel. Take your place in the sun with Louis Vuitton’s new summer 2012 collection.
London’s It-girl Poppy Develingne is heating up the cold temperatures outside in these sunny photos shot by David Roemer in Playa Del Carmen.

Poppy is a regular fixture on the fashion circuit. No wonder, with her mother Pandora being the head of personal shopping at Selfridges, Poppy’s keen fashion sense has always been pumping through her veins.

Capturing the relaxed spirit of summer to perfection, the season’s must-have cotton canvas totes come in chic neutral shades of beige and indigo or else in fruittee red or yellow stripes, always printed with a bold vintage-style label vaunting Louis Vuitton’s articles de voyage.

Coordinating with the travel-print totes, chunky wedges in navy, beige or red suede calf leather with natural leather trim exude relaxed sophistication, while flat sandals lend themselves to sightseeing.

Alternatively, stylish cork wedges or laid-back thongs in new summer shades of Monogram Vernis dazzle in combination with matching cross-body bags or the diminutive Alma BB.

Launch date in Louis Vuitton stores on April, 15th 2012.

I am so much looking forward to those glorious golden days in the company of the summer collection by Louis Vuitton and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

I dedicate this post to my family and wonderful friends! Yesterday was my birthday and as I am crazily busy at the moment, I had sadly no time to organize anything. What a bummer because I love being the birthday girl.

One of my best friends spoiled me with a surprise luncheon after our yoga class. You should have seen my face when my friends were waiting for me. I had truly no idea. They treated me with so many beautiful and fun gifts, among them a red wig. What do you think of me being a redhead?

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the most stylish present ever! This amazing coral-coloured Louis Vuitton Croisière 2012 bag that I was so keen on having.
Thank you girlfriends! You rock!

When I came home, some more surprises were waiting for me. One PR lady sent me this “Blogger Oscar” with the following engraving: “The best blogger in the world”. I love it!

And as the best gift of all comes from the heart, I would like to show you my daughter’s breakfast table decoration for me. Isn’t it so sweet?

Thank you all for making my day so special for me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

From today until the end of March 2012, works of the young New York based artist, Scott Campbell will be exposed at Galerie Gmurzynska, Zurich.

One of the most exciting artists working today, Campbell will present an installation of works from the past few years at Galerie Gmurzynska’s Zurich location, “Bless this Mess”. This will be Campbell’s first European solo exhibition.

Bless this mess, 2011

Known for his intricate works in a variety of unusual and exciting mediums Campbell is at the forefront of young artists reintroducing craft and technique to art.

In Zurich, Campbell will present works created in a variety of mediums, including paintings, sculptures and, arguably his best-known works, low reliefs fabricated from uncirculated U.S. currency. In this time of economic turmoil, his works created with laser cut currency have acquired a variety of sentiments and meanings.

Burnt Butterfly, 2010

Included in the exhibition is a group of rare works created during a Mexico City exhibition in 2010. After an argument with the gallery owner Campbell set the already sold artworks he was exhibiting on fire, destroying all but a few of them. Those that survive hold beautiful burns and smoke designs from the action.

Untitled (Black with White Butterfly), 2011

Campbell will debut a new series of works in Zurich, the Fuse Paintings. Completed with designs drawn with gun powder and then lit they continue his artistic exploration into drawings, iconography and cutting edge mediums.

In addition to his artistic career Campbell maintains an active practice as one of the most renowned tattoo artists in the world. His living designs can be seen on Marc Jacobs, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Nan Goldin, Elizabeth Peyton and Richard Prince among many others.

Campbell was born in 1977 and raised in a Louisiana fishing camp. He studied biochemistry at the University of Texas before moving to San Francisco to pursue his life long passion for drawing pictures. He was able to realize this by becoming a tattoo artist and creating everlasting, movable images on skin. This practice led him to live around the world, including Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles and South America.

Scott Campbell was invited by Marc Jacobs to participate in Louis Vuitton’s artist collaboration series for the men S/S 2011 collection. Past participants have included Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. He has also recently collaborated with Pirelli, designing a motorcycle, tires and accessories.

In February 2012 Rizzoli will publish a monograph on Campbell, “If You Don’t Belong, Don’t Be Long”, which explores tattooing, art and the human body.

LoL, Sandra

Huge I’ll start my diet tomorrow, 2011

Last month, I was invited by Clarins to Paris for the launch of their newest products (stay tuned for the upcoming post on those amazing new beauty must-haves). I stayed at the Royal Monceau where the presentation and dinner also took place. One of the reasons why Clarins chose this newly renovated hotel that was re-imagined by the famous Philippe Starck is their amazing My Blend by Clarins (a new revolutionary approach on personalized skincare) spa.

Le Royal Monceau has always embodied “Parisian elegance” in all its spontaneity, culture and sagacity. Philippe Starck captured the spirit in perfection. The Royal Monceau is one of the nicest hotels I stayed in recently and I can only recommend it. Please see for yourself!

My look: Patchwork coat by Louis Vuitton, silk-crepe top by Vionnet, alpaca and wool gilet by Gucci, stretch-leather leggings by The Row, scarf by Chanel, Pistol leather ankle boots by Acne and animal-print Boston bag by Céline.

I travelled for the first time with my new Victorinox Spectra trolley (Thank you!) that works as a carry-on luggage perfectly and has a lot of space.

Some impressions of my room.

View from my hotel room.

Clarins Spa offers 4 new spa body treatments with 18 new exclusive PRO formula products. The Body Sculptor, The Moisture Quencher, The Firming Age Corrector and The Body Polisher are based upon a selection of masks, supplements and pure plant body oils from the PRO range, chosen by the therapist to meet your skin’s individual needs. The Clarins PRO products are truly amazing and are totally working their magic. All treatments are done manually which is the best to me. To search for the Clarins institut nearest to you, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look last week for a lunch meeting in Zurich. I love the colour combination of pink, brown and light grey – always preppy.

You might remember the dress because I wore it to the Gucci S/S 2012 show last September in Milan. For the previous, more colourful look, please click here. Good news is that this pink dress is on sale 50% off now and with its vibrant colour a great investment piece for the next season.

My look: Two-tone silk crepe de chine dress, alpaca and wool gilet, grey python bag, brown leather boots, all by Gucci, pink bleached denim scarf by Louis Vuitton, ring Diorette by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

On my lips: Rouge Allure Velvet 37 L’Exubérante by Chanel, a wonderful matte pink tone.

LoL, Sandra

I love this bleached denim scarf from Louis Vuitton’s S/S 2010 collection.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Good news for S/S 2012, everything’s coming up roses (and orchids, and daffodils, and daisies). Head to toe floral prints are one of the season’s biggest trends and were seen all over the runways.

My all-time favourite Mary Katrantzou who is known for her bold prints and vivid colors, showed this trend in perfection, flowers and print – the perfect combination of her strengths. Her runway was divided by a field of carnations. Please click here for the previous post.

Take a peek at the most fun garden party of the season! Floral prints, extreme edition!

The colours range from fabulous bright colours reminiscent of a tropical vacation to soft neutrals and stunning pastels. Lilac and light green are among summer’s favourites.

As if the floral prints weren’t enough, the designers went and attached 3-D flowers and embellishments to the fabrics. A season’s must! Best collection: Louis Vuitton!

I’m betting it won’t be long before a style icon like Alexa Chung is spotted in this cool Chloé or Prada outfit!

If you didn’t think you could wear a head to toe look printed with multi-coloured florals and still look cool, Erdem just proved you totally wrong.

From the necklace, to the shoes, to the bags, to the earrings, this S/S 2012 trend is a complete floral explosion!
Stay tuned for more to complement this look…

LoL, Sandra

Are you looking for a last minute gift? Have a look at Louis Vuitton‘s Christmas 2011 collection. You will find plenty of possibilities in different price ranges, from traditional leather goods to high end jewelry pieces.

Welcome to the Louis Vuitton Circus!

My personal favourite is Louis Vuitton’s new release of small leather goods decorated with authentic vintage advertising illustrations from Louis Vuitton’s archives, so-called “Les Illustrés” collection.

The new limited edition collection is available on Monogram, Damier, Damier Graphite and Damier Azur canvas. The lining comes in beautiful sorbet colours, such as lilac, rose and mint green.

Mini Pochette Les Illustrés
£190 / € 210

Les Illustrés Key Holders
£140 / €155

Les Illustrés Key Holders
£140 / €155

Small Ring Agenda Cover Les Illustrés
£ 225 / €245

Small Ring Agenda Cover Les Illustrés
£ 225 / €245

Zippy Wallet Les Illustrés
£460 / €500

Zippy Wallet Les Illustrés
£460 / €500

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Here is your sneak preview of the Louis Vuitton advertising campaign for S/S 2012 that captures the essence of this amazing collection perfectly and that is definitely among my favourites. It was shot by Steven Meisel who did also the Prada S/S 2012 campaign.

“The spirit of our S/S 2012 collection is reflected beautifully in this new ad campaign,” says Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Marc Jacobs. “All the tone and texture of the collection – the lightness, the prettiness, the broderie anglaise, the millefeuille layers of organza – are recreated in these wonderful images by Steven Meisel. It is all very soft and very sweet, yet at the same time very bold and very graphic.”

In an intriguing echo of the previous season, the Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 advertising campaign once again takes up the narrative of the fashion show, continuing it from the point where the woman steps daintily off the pure white fairground carrousel and into the pastel pink paradise of a nearby ice cream parlor.

Up-and-coming models Daria Strokous and Kati Nescher are the lucky pair chosen to sample the parlor’s assorted delights while wearing some of the season’s standout looks, including romantic broderie anglaise dresses, ladylike shifts embellished with strass, studs and 3D flowers, and sorbetcoloured suits with white lace collars. Accessories, too, feature prominently in the nine visuals, foremost among them the Lockit bag in sheer nylon voile that opened the runway show, the Speedy in powdered, whitewashed crocodile, and the pointed-toe mules in pastel shades with metal toe caps, dainty laces or rows of tiny buttons.

“The whole ambiance is very pretty, very special and very magical,” says Marc Jacobs, “and I’m sure it will look just delicious and fresh come the spring.”

The Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 advertising campaign will break in the February 2012 issues of magazines worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton