Sandra‘s Closet

KILIAN HENNESSY inherited a taste for creation from his family’s generations-old cognac business. His namesake perfume collection BY KILIAN epitomizes both luxury and modernity, using some of the world’s finest raw materials and rare essential oils. The elegant bottles and boxes are all refillable and reusable. His newest launches «Body Pleasures» include shower gels, body lotions as well as scented hair and body oils. I met with the irrevocably French fragrance-maker who gave me some amazing tips for his favorite place on earth.

Your favourite city?
PARIS – It is the most beautiful city for me, full of culture. It inspires me, helps me to create. I was born there and then raised from 1-7 in Cognac. At the age of 7, I returned to Paris. As of now, I haven’t found a better city.

Your favourite hotel?
LE BRISTOL – It is the perfect hotel for a romantic weekend with exceptional service.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 53 43 43 00

Your favourite restaurant?
CAVIAR KASPIA – It is owned by a couple which are good friends of us. The food is absolutely excellent and it has a fun vibe. We are always there for Russian New Year’s – the most exciting place to be! The waiters are dancing on the table, they even get naked. We always have a blast.
17 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 42 65 33 32

Your favourite dish there?
POTATO CAVIAR – It is a baked potato with a huge amount of caviar on top.

Your favourite bar?
MATHIS BAR –  The most elegant and handsome bar in Paris.
3 Rue de Ponthieu, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 42 25 73 01

Your favourite nightclub?
CLUB RASPOUTINE – The only club in Paris for people my age. They play house music, kind of hardcore, but a lot of fun.
58 Rue de Bassano, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 47 20 02 90

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
LA VICTOIRE DE SAMOTHRACE at the LOUVRE. I cannot go to the Louvre without stopping by to see her. It is a sculpture that was at the bow of a ship which you can still see in the exhibition. The woman has wings with a veil that is covering her naked body. Looking at her, you imagine the wind that is pulling the fabric to show of parts of her body. It is very sensual, you can feel so much strength. If I don’t have any more elan, I go see her.
Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Your favourite park?
I don’t do parks.

Your favourite shop?
MR PORTER – Even that there are still a few brands missing. I love that it is shopping with no hazzle. Just trying at home and if it doesn’t fit, they pick it up. So easy.

Your must-have accessory?
It would be MY SCENT. Otherwise I just got this amazing BLACK SUEDE TOTE BAG by SAINT LAURENT that I cannot live without anymore.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
IL VENAIT D’AVOIR 18 ANS by DALIDA – I cannot live without. It’s part of my culture, such a gorgeous song.

The scent of Paris?
ECCENTRIC – All excesses blend well in Paris. Here women have a posture to look beautiful in a «negligée way». The message they convey is «I kind of work on it but I didn’t do anything». This is FRENCH CHIC. So the scent would be a gorgeous tuberose, jasmine like VOULEZ-VOUZ COUCHER AVEC MOI. For example in the States where women tend to be more made up, the scents are more subtle.

TO SHOP BY KILIAN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Thank you, Kilian, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via The Telgraph, ©Mathieurivrin, Courtesy of the Locations, Mr Porter, © Kilian Hennessy and © Sandra Bauknecht

RENE ZIBOLD

The PR and Communication Manager for H&M Switzerland has great style and many loyal followers on instagram (@monsieurené) who enjoy his daily fashion updates. Being fluent in four languages, he loves to travel. Other places inspire him, with the City of Light leading the way.

Your favourite city? La merveilleuse ville lumière: PARIS!
It’s the most beautiful city in the world, where I can find everything I really love!

Your favourite hotel? HOTEL ATHÉNÉE, a small, romantic and very elegant boutique hotel in the center of Paris. If you love Jacques Garcia’s interiors, you’ll adore it!

Your favourite restaurant? The CAFÉ RUC, in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Honoré. The interior is also made by Jacques Garcia. The Suprême de volaille “minute” with “purée maison” is a must have! Dessert? Of course the Gâteau au chocolat!

Your favourite bar or nightclub? The GEORGES at the Centre Pompidou, also excellent for dinner. The view over Paris by night is breathtaking!

Your favourite sightseeing spot? The LOUVRE. I can spend hours in front of each masterpiece of Eugène Delacroix!

Your favourite park? The JARDIN DES TUILERIES next to the Louvre and after a walk I always enjoy a coffee and the delicious “tarte fine aux pommes“ at CAFE MARLY.

Your favourite shop? The DRIES VAN NOTEN men’s store at the Quai Malaquais. I just love the interior of the store and of course Van Noten’s beautiful men’s collections. Can’t wait to buy there the Fall 2013 collection!!!

Your must-have accessory? No matter if it’s summer or winter and where I am… I usually wear ETRO SCARVES. They really are my must-have accessory!

The best soundtrack for this destination? Jean-Claude Pascal: PARIS AU MOIS DE SEPTEMBRE. I’m in love with this song!

The best book to read while being on vacation there? I always buy ART or FASHION BOOKS in Paris. The BOOKSHOP at the PALAIS DE TOKYO has a fantastic selection.

Thank you, René, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra

As promised less than two weeks ago, here is the new fragrance, that I was telling you about: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake – the perfume that moves you.

The launch event took place at the Louvre in Paris with a very different und beautiful presentation. Dressed in pleats of every colour, models leaped and danced, twirled and spinned, motivating the audience to join in the fun.

The designer Issey Miyake is known known globally for his signature pleats – a look that went around the world in more than 80 colours; it is contemporary yet timeless. Today, the iconic line Pleats Please Issey Miyake has its own fragrance. It is a scent that pays homage to a seminal fashion creation: an infusion of emotion and olfactory ode to joy.

The iconic L’Eau d’Issey and L’Eau d’Issey Pour l’Homme burst forth from the fountain of Issey Miyake fragrances; clear and shimmering, the waters heralded Issey Miyake’s first foray into perfumery.
Pleats Please is completely different, a joyous, light-hearted scent with meticulously sculpted facets created by perfumer Aurélien Guichard. For this new fragrance, the exuberance and heartiness of a floral bouquet was a must – flowers to define the femininity of a subtle delicate composition.

Perfumer Aurélien Guichard

Top Note: Nashi (a hybrid fruit that oscillates between pear and apple, with the pear note predominating).

Middle Notes: Peony and sweet pea. Indole adds a fleshly, voluptous touch and „gives substance to the note“, the perfumer explains. The accord is warm and vibrant, like „an invitation to fluidity“. (Remember Roja Dove who explained me the sexual power of indole. Click here if you would like to know more.)

Base notes: Cedar, patchouli, vanilla and white musks.

Available from September 2012. The product range comprises a trio of eau de toilette in three formats: 30, 50 and 100 ml. The EdTs are supplemented by two derivatives infused with the notes of Pleats Please: a creamy, body lotion and a deodorant spray.

The bottle is very interesting. Its shape is reminiscent of a bag that is put down on the floor. The cap takes the form of a floral calyx, a finely pleated abstraction that symbolises both a white flower and the Pleats Please fabric.

In his quest for the timeless and functional in fashion, Issey Miyake found his answer in pleats. Fashion keeps moving, and so does fragrance!

It was such a beautiful presentation at the Louvre! For more details about my look, please click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I flew for one day to Paris for the launch of a beautiful new fragrance which will be launched officially in September. Stay tuned as, of course, I will tell you all about it in the next days to keep you ahead of the game.

Unfortunately, the weather was not so good with some scattered showers during the day. The event took place at the Louvre and before that I had some coffee with other journalists at the charming Hotel Regina across.

My look: Pink rain coat by Chloé, Mathilda wool-twill blazer by Stella McCartney, rosette-embellished silk top by Lanvin, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci, Crossword tote bag by Fendi, Daisy necklace by Dior Haute Joaillerie, cowboy ankle boots and thin red patent leather bow belt by Prada.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Yolanda Di Mambro – © Sandra Bauknecht