Sandra‘s Closet

Right now I am enjoying my holidays in Saint Tropez to the fullest. After a very long night at Les Caves du Roy, and only 3 hours of sleep, I pulled myself together and joined my dear Barbara Sturm and Ayda Field Williams at Dr. Sturm’s new St. Tropez Spa, located at 6 Traverse de la Gendarmerie, for an anti-inflammatory morning with cold pressed juices and mini express facials.

Inside the new Dr. Barbara Sturm spa in St. Tropez

On display was also the absolutely amazing new luxury activewear line AYDA launched by Robbie Williams‘s wife Ayda, who is as sweet as she looks. Designed with the most buttery fabrics, high-performance details, and athlete-tested functionality, those pieces will help you reach peak joy. Her motto is «Fucking Fantastic», life is too short for camel toes and visible panty lines! For sweats that make you feel sloppy or sports bras that feel like jail. Say bye bye to muffin tops and hello to odor-eating, sweat-wicking, equal pay promoting, always-has-your-back performance gear that never lets you down… and always holds the girls up!

Ayda is luxury activewear dedicated to bringing JOY into the everyday motions of life.

The idea for AYDA has bounced around founder Ayda Field Williams’s brain for years. After being stuck at home and in athleisure 24/7 during quarantine made her realize that she could work with a team to improve on what was out there. The voice that said «Yes!! You can!!» finally grew louder than the voice that said «No, you can’t.»

Team Ayda set out to create clothes that could seriously perform but didn’t sacrifice on the playfulness. Bright, bold colors. Inventive details. Undeniable comfort. Clothes that brought joy. Clothes that make you wanna skip. Clothes that feel like rainbow sprinkles!!

Having fun with Ayda Field Williams and Barbara Sturm.

There’s so much to love about every piece in the collection. Everything from the power mesh panels that elevate while providing support and stretch, to the adjustable velcro straps that are both comfortable and forgiving for those days when you need a little more. Team Ayda scoured the universe for Goldilocks of fabrics: soft, sculpting, with great recovery to last and last. You will surely love the collection as much as I do!

It was a fucking fantastic morning with many amazing women… thank you, Barbara and Ayda for having me!

LoL, Sandra

With amazing Kinga Lampert, who is the co-Chair @bcrfcure the highest rated breast cancer organization in the US and largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide.

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash also enjoyed the morning.

Presenter and model Sylvie Meis 

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © ShopAyda
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Last night, I arrived in Cuba and was greeted by CHANEL in my hotel room with a lovely surprise: a very cute straw hat created in collaboration with Maison Michel, the famous hat-maker and milliner that was acquired by the House of CHANEL as one of its specialty ateliers.

The first thing popping up in my mind was, how is this shape called? Is it a Panama or a Havana hat, a feodora or a trilby…? Here is a little guide for you so that you will become a real insider.

The easiest thing to remember is that the rim of a fedora curls up while the rim of a panama hat is straight. A trilby is a narrow-brimmed type of hat which in shape resembles the Tyrolean hat.

Straight rim: straw Panama hat by Rag & Bone.

The rim curls up: grosgrain-trimmed woven paper fedora by Melissa Odabash.

Narrow-brimmed: gradient trilby hat by Diesel.

Trendy, the floppy brim: sunny sequined straw sunhat by Eugenia Kim.

Straw hats in all shapes have already become a must-have accessory for fashionistas everywhere as they are the perfect addition to a summery look. So ladies, hold on to your hats, many exciting things are waiting for you during the next days!

Ernest Hemingway wears the look of the successful novelist in Paris, in 1927, just after his book, “The Sun Also Rises,” hit the bestseller list. (AP Photo/Charles Scribner Sons)

I am leaving now an a Hemingway tour which will take me on a journey, following the footsteps of one of the worlds greatest writers here in Cuba. In 1940 Hemingway, with his new wife Martha, purchased a home outside Havana where he would live for the next twenty years. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

What an exciting collaboration.
Melissa Odabash‘s signature flattering cuts combined with a touch of Julien Macdonald‘s high-octane glamour, what else could we have asked for?! In search of the perfect bikini, former model Melissa Odabash decided to launch her own line. Her exotic swimsuits, and embellished kaftans are a hit with the A-list, and as fit is just as important as design, the beautiful blonde teamed up with her friend Julien Macdonald to ensure all her creations look and feel fabulous.

My favorite piece is this Hilary embellished silk-georgette kaftan.
Beautiful getaways in mind, you can shop this amazing collection exclusively HERE.

Yesterday I flew to Dubai and today, I will be off to Oman. The sun is shining and I wished, those amazing pieces would be in my little suitcase…

LoL, Sandra

Me with Julien and Melissa at the Rodial Beautiful Awards 2013.
Photos: Courtesy of Melissa Odabash, © Sandra Bauknecht

Two weeks ago, I flew to London to attend the 4th annual Rodial Beautiful Awards held at the trendy St. Martin’s Lane hotel. I was invited by Marionnaud which carry the brand exclusively in Switzerland.

It was such a star-studded night. On the red carpet arrived some fab celebrities including Sadie Frost, Savannah Miller, Amber Le Bon and Melissa Odabash, all of which are embodying the awards’ philosophy in perfection to celebrate women of beauty, style and elegance.

Rodial had put together a truly impressive judging panel, including Mary Katrantzou, Stephen Webster and Jade Jagger. Among the winners were Rita Ora for “Most Edgy Look” and Camilla Babbington for “Freshest Face”.

Me with the lovely Isolde Burtscher (Marionnaud Switzerland)

On display was the latest Rodial launch BEE VENOM that will hit the shelves later this spring in Switzerland. I was lucky to test it already and can only recommend this new anti-aging range. 
A donation will be made from its proceeds to Children on the Edge, a charity dedicated to children in need.

Top Secret! The new must-have range exclusive to men has been revealed during the event with a hilarious video showing the team looking for the perfect Nip+Man! It is said to provide targeted solutions to everyday skin and body concerns, such as tired skin, sore muscles, or abs in need of a lift! Hitting the stores in May 2013.

Fashion designer Julien Macdonald was the host and the birthday boy of the night. He did such a fabulous job, being very funny and entertaining. Later, we were all toasting to him with the yummy gin-litchi cocktails served at the event…

Let me share with you some impressions of the awards ceremony:

Fashion designer Ben de Lisi

Savannah Miller, sister of Sienna Miller, handed the award in the category “Best Beauty Pages Long Lead” to Marie Claire magazine. Being a former fashion editor for German Marie Claire magazine, I couldn’t have been happier.

Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial, with the winner in the category “Best Make-up Artist” Lisa Eldridge to her left.

Swimwear designer and former model Melissa Odabash to the right with Amber Le Bon, daughter of Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon and Yasmin Le Bon, who accepted the award in the category “Classic Glamour” for her mum.

Two who like each other: Sadie Frost and hairdressing royalty James Brown, who both honoured Kate Moss with the “Special Rodial Beautiful Award”.

The amazing evening ended in true style with a DJ set from the cute Amber le Bon. I had so much fun and after having met the wonderful Rodial team, I am even more in love with the brand! Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Julien Macdonald, who is half-Welsh and half-Scottish, surprised me with his F/W 2011 show that I truly liked. The presentation took place in a church. The goth athomosphere was amazing, especially with the head-banging soundtrack and light effects rocking the show.

The designer started off with some black looks, followed by delicate layers of spiderweb-like fabrics. My absolute favourites were the beautiful embellished long flowing gowns, romantic but edgy and the lace-up boots. Truly ethereal!

Please enjoy my photo coverage and check out the celebrities who were sitting front row.

LoL, Sandra

Me front row at Julien Macdonald

Me with American actress Juliette Lewis

Model Amber Rose framed by other "ladies" in red

Hilary Alexander, Fashion Director of the Daily Telegraph, going ethno

Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash with me

British socialite Tamara Beckworth with her daughter Anouska that she had at the age of 17 - they look like sisters.

Aren't those Manolos to die for?!

Let the show begin:

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Probably you are a little like me. I am always very fast in buying fashion for the next season. So I do not mind starting to get my summer clothes in December. But there is one thing that is always fairly traumatic for me: Trying on a bikini in January when I am all pale in the fluorescent lights of a small dressing room. Somehow those mirrors do not seem to flatter anyone and have the magical power to eliminate the highest self-esteem. They should serve a mandatory glass of champagne to anyone swimsuit shopping when the temperature outside is freezing cold.
Therefore I always wait until the last minute when I am already a little tanned to get my bathing apparel. Probably online shopping is anyway the best way to go.

This year, my object of desire is a monokini, a bikini with fabric linking the bottom and top. The absolute must-have this summer! You could also name it a cutout swimsuit. Reminding me of the 80s, it looks so stylish and surprisingly modern. My favourite is the printed one by Emilio Pucci. The only disadvantage is the pattern that the crisscrossing panel is going to leave on your skin…

LoL, Sandra