Sandra‘s Closet

Last fall, I attended SAM’s Tribute to Photography Night that took place in St. Moritz at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains. The event started with a cocktail reception, followed by a gala dinner. It was such an amazing evening for me as I was able to meet some of the most renowned photographers of our times such as Lucien Clergue, Jock Sturges (see photo on top to the left with me), Matteo Basilé, Amedeo M. Turello, Steve McCurry and Albert Watson among others.

Let me share my favourite moments with you:

MEET ALBERT WATSON

Personally speaking, I have been adoring Albert Watson‘s work since many many years. Born in 1942, the Scottish photographer is an icon in the world of fashion, celebrity and art photography. He has shot over 250 covers for Vogue magazine around the globe since the mid-’70s and his works have been featured in countless other publications.

His first celebrity photo took place in the year 1973, a portrait of Alfred Hitchcock holding a dead goose with a ribbon around its neck, which he shot for that year’s Harper’s Bazaar’s Christmas issue, became one of the most famous photos around the globe. As well as the iconic shot of Steve Jobs that went around the world after he died. Albert was the official Royal Photographer for Prince Andrew’s wedding to Sarah Ferguson and he photographed dozens of posters for major Hollywood movies, such as “Kill Bill,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” and “The Da Vinci Code.”

He is such a gentleman, in a very charming way, he took me on a tour around his fabulous artwork.

Albert explained me that this shot of a tattooed guy was taken in a penitentiary while the prisoner was working on a damaged car.

Us in front of his famous shot of Steve Jobs.

Albert Watson and Amedeo M. Turello

MEET YOSSI LOLOI

Either you love or hate Italian photographer Yossi Loloi‘s Full Beauty project, for which he has only photographed extremely overweight women. He plays with the idea of beauty and form, fashion and attraction, like and dislike. I couldn’t help but being fascinated by his work from the first second. He told me that he always had a special relationship with larger women, and that he likes how those women bloom in front of his camera, how they enjoy their Rubenesque body.

So it was a true honor for me to give the laudatory speech for the talented photographer.

I was sitting at Monty Shadow‘s table, who founded of the St. Moritz Art Masters. It was the best table, you can imagine, framed by…

…the late Claude Nobs…

…and Jeffrey Deitch, Director Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

What an amazing event! Stay tuned for the photos that Steve McCurry and Amedeo M.Turello took of me during those days and of course the detailed post regarding my outfit.

And save the date! This year, SAM will bring China, its art and culture to the Engadin from August 23 – September 1, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Before leaving for Venice to interview Blake Lively, I spent two days in the mountains for the fifth edition of the St. Moritz Art Masters. So-called SAM has become an integral part of the annual art calendar, attracting many contemporary artists from all over the globe.

Steve McCurry
The Pirelli Calendar 2013
Original making of image printed on Canvas

I was invited to the “Tribute to Photographers” event where I met some of the most distinctive photographers of the world, such as Albert Watson, Amedeo Turello, Steve McCurry, Matteo Basilé and many more. Each artist gave an introductory speech in the afternoon at the Posthaus before being honoured themselves during the “Tribute to Photography” evening at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains. This was very exciting for me because I had the honour to present Yossi Loloi with the award. More about the night to be posted soon.

At the Posthaus: Albert Watson and Steve McCurry

The next day, the two-day photo workshop “The Expression of Identity” started in which renowned photographers such as Jock Sturges, Steve McCurry and Amedeo Turello gave their insights on portraiture, figurative and fashion photography. It was such an amazing experience and I will be showing you so many photos during the next days.

The most exciting part: Famous photographers, Steve McCurry and Amedeo Turello, did each a photo shoot with me which felt like a dream. Experiencing their individuality and visual expression of identity and style was photography in its most exquisite form of art.

Monty Shadow, founder of the St. Moritz Art Masters, is a true visionary. We had tea at Badrutt’s Palace hotel together and I was deeply impressed when he showed me some of his work. He used to be a very successful photographer himself, shot a lot for the Playboy magazine and Anna Wintour started her career as his assistant.

As Leica being one of the main sponsors, there was a photo booth inside the lobby of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains where you could have your photo taken.

My look: Structured tuxedo jacket by Balmain, wool and silk-blend sweater and printed modal and silk-blend scarf, both by Stella McCartney, stretch-leather leggings by Gucci and Tribtoo textured leather pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Steve McCurry