Sandra‘s Closet

After conquering the world of fashion, fragrance and film, Tom Ford has brought his impeccable vision to the world of beauty. His first cosmetics collection features a complete range of colour and skin treatments.

It all started last September in New York with a lipstick… my first beauty product by Tom Ford was the Lip Color 07 Pink Dusk, a lovely soft pink shade that goes with everything. The texture is truly amazing, leaving your lips moisturized while providing them with rich colour.

The next time I was back in the States, I couldn’t resist to get more. I truly recommend the eyeshadow palettes. The colours stay on the whole day and you can play with the effects as the textures can be built up, from soft to bold. The glittering shades can be tapped over the lid for an overall glamorous look, perfect for New Year’s Eve.

From left to right:
Eye Color Quad 01 Golden Mink, Lip Color 14 Sable Smoke, Lip Lacquer (a great way to let your lips shine, it works with all shades or can be worn alone) and Lip Gloss 02 Rose Crush.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

From left to right:
Cheek Color 01 Love Lust (a perfect peachy tone), Eye Color Quad 09 Violet Dusk and 10 Titanium Smoke, Nail Lacquer 10 Viper and 09 Plum Noir.

Those nail polishes are amazing! They stay on forever without loosing their brilliance!

In Europe, Tom Ford Beauty is available aready in selected stores, such as Harvey Nichols in London or Printemps in Paris. In Switzerland, the complete range will be available in March. At the moment, you can buy only the lipstick collection.

Please enjoy the photos of Tom Ford’s beauty campaign photographed by famed duo Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott featuring supermodel Lara Stone and designer Tom Ford himself, plus some stills. I love those pics! Isn’t Lara looking absolutely stunning and flawless?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

For F/W 2011, many new fragrances will or have already hit the market just recently. Today, I would like to give you a brief summary of what is worth getting your nose on. Enjoy!

SENSOUS NUDE – Oriental Floral

Sensuous Nude is a new version of the original perfume Sensuous from 2008 and a fragrance reminiscent of the summer due its beautiful coconut accord.

Top Notes: Bergamot, pink and black pepper and mandarin

Middle Notes: Lily of the Valley, jasmine, coconut water, white honey and musk

Base Notes: Sandalwood, vanilla, amber, helioptrope and woody notes (that were created with a new technology, so-called Melted Wood Nature Print, for a more natural scent experience)

Sensuous Nude EDP, 30ml (CHF 60), 50ml (CHF80), 100ml (CHF114)
Sensuous Nude Body Veil – rich body cream 200ml (CHF 60)
Sensuous Nude Touch On Fragrance – light silky serum 10ml (CHF 54).

Advertising campaign was designed and executed by photographer Craig McDean, and advertising face is Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, who posed on Californian beaches for this campaign (first photo on top). The fragrance is in stores now.

VIOLET BLONDE – Floral Woody Musk

Tom Ford has launched a new fragrance, named Violet Blonde which is based on powdery notes of violet and iris.

Top Notes: Violet leaf, pink pepper and Italian mandarin

Middle Notes: Tuscan iris absolute, Tuscan orris butter and jasmine

Base Notes: Musk, vetiver, suede, cedar and benzoin.

Tom Ford Violet Blonde EDP, 30ml (CHF 90), 50ml (CHF132), 100ml (CHF200)

Lara Stone was chosen to feature the campaign of the whole line that was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. In stores in Switzerland Mid September 2011, in the US already available.

BURBERRY BODY – Chypre Fruity

Burberry Body is a feminine and effortlessly sensual fragrance with an eclectic combination of refined ingredients.

Top Notes: Green absinthe, peach and freesia

Middle Notes: Rose absolute, iris and sandalwood

Base Notes: Woody cashmeran, creamy vanilla, amber and musk.

Burberry Body is available in a wide range, featuring EdP Intense in different sizes, EdP in different sizes, Body Oil and Body Milk.

Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley features in the new campaign shot by Mario Testino to promote the range, wearing nothing but a gold trench – and a few drops of the scent of course that is in stores now. 
The scent has so far been featured on Facebook, giving fans a chance to preview the scent. The page has had a staggering 8 million ‘likes’ as the brand continues to push the boundaries of digital media. The new fragrance is available since beginning of September.

PRADA CANDY – Oriental Vanilla

Prada has launched a new feminine perfume called Candy. As for me, this is the most surprising new scent on the market, very sweet , very girly and very unusual for the Italian brand.

Top Notes: Musk

Middle Notes: Benzoin

Base Notes: Caramel and vanilla.

Prada Candy EDP is available in three different sizes (30,50 and 80ml), with shower gel, body lotion and peeling.

The face is young French actress Léa Seydoux known for her role in The Beautiful Person (La Belle Personne) shot by Jean Paul Goud. Prada Candy is in stores now.

VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND – Floral

Versace started its perfume line inspired by crystals in 2004 with Crystal Noir, and then launched the lighter and fruitier Bright Crystal in 2006. In 2011, a new addition is presented, “a crystal that turns into a diamond”: Yellow Diamond, a transparent and airy floral scent.

Top Notes: Neroli, lmon, bergamot and pear sorbet

Middle Notes: Orange blossom, freesia, mimosa and water lily

Base Notes: Amber, musk and guaiac wood.

Versace Yellow Diamond is available as 50 and 90 ml EdT, with deodorant and body lotion.

The face of the campaign is Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw, shot by Mario Testino in Paris.

TOMMY HILFIGER EAU DE PREP TOMMY GIRL – Floral Fruity

The Tommy Hilfiger Group is launching two new fragrances – Eau de Prep Tommy Girl and Eau de Prep Tommy (for men). The fragrances reflect the preppy lifestyle which means sporty yet elegant. Let me give you more facts about Eau de Prep Tommy Girl:

Top Notes: Pink peppercorn, green apple and pear

Middle Notes: White roses, violet and hawthorn

Base Notes: Sandalwood, patchouli and musk.

Eau de Prep Tommy Girl EdT, 30ml (CHF46), 50ml (CHF76), 100ml (CHF96)

The fragrances will launch in Switzerland starting October 24, 2011.

SISLEY EAU D’IKAR  for Men – Woody Aromatic

Let me introduce you to the first ever masculine fragrance from Sisley named Eau d’Ikar. The composition is based on the note of mastic, a Mediterranean tree that grows in Corsica where the d’Ordano family’s origins are. A wonderful new composition for men.

Top Notes: Mastic, bitter orange, bergamot, lemon and carrot seeds

Middle Notes: Mastic absolute, iris, jasmine, orange pekoe tea, reeds, leather, wood and spices

Base Notes: Green cistus, sandalwood and vetiver.

Eau d’Ikar EdT, 50ml (CHF90), 100ml (CHF145)

The artwork bottle, symbol of a myth revisited, was designed by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Krzysztof. The new fragrance will be available from October, 1, 2011.

Have fun exploring those new fragrances in real and stay tuned for more releases to come! My personal favourites are Sensous Nude and Eau de Prep Tommy Girl!

LoL, Sandra

I am completely in love with Miu Miu’s S/S  2011 womenswear collection and the campaign that evokes the spirit of performance and stage.

Models Querelle Jansen, Sasha Pivovarova and Kasia Struss were photographed in London by renowned duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, styled in the manner of barely breathing mannequins, all slicked back hair and crimson mouths.
Far from passive, however, it wouldn’t be Miuccia Prada if there wasn’t a message and this time it is her reflection on a society that is obsessed with celebrity.

Inspired by on-screen costume, flower, flame, snake and star prints are re-invented to suitably stylised effect. It is a study of feminity that is as playfully inventive as it is alluring.

To support this idea, Miu Miu presents the “Miu Miu Women’s Tales”, a series of short movies directed by international female filmmakers that explore their fantasies about the brand.

The first one has been directed by Zoe Cassavetes (Broken English) and is called “The Powder Room”, an enchanting and dramatic short film set in London’s Claridges hotel.
It is a beautiful how Zoe Cassavetes were able to capture the luxury codes of the Miu Miu universe. I especially like her close-ups. To view the movie, click here.

The next directors will be announced soon. Another interesting approach to adverstising and communicating a brand. But as always, Miuccia is leading the way…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

The American actress and singer and her two-year-old twins, Max and Emme, star in a special ad campaign for Gucci Kids that was shot in Malibu by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
Gucci donated $1 million to UNICEF and $50.000 to Jennifer’s charity, the Maribel Foundation, which focuses on medical care for women and children worldwide.

The fashionable trio looks so adorable on the beach. Jennifer wears pieces from the absolutely gorgeous Resort 2011 collection. The theme of Frida Giannini’s cruise creations is “stylish travel“. Working with a neutral palette of khaki, rust, and army green, the designer also included elements of the equestrian world. This collection is super-wearable with a bit of military and a lot of urban cool. The safari looks present the sexy attitude and glamour Gucci is known for.

It is not surprisingly that I couldn’t resist. One of my favourite pieces is the military green silk jumpsuit. I rolled up the legs and teamed with some vintage Gucci sandals and a vintage Ralph Lauren belt. The  long 70s inspired earrings are from Chanel Cruise 2011.

Moreover, I truly adore the brand’s iconic saddle-printed silks in dégradé, a dip-dyed hem. The printed silk-crepe mini skirt (see below) had to be mine. I already wore it with a greige sweater by Stella McCartney, a patchwork Chanel bag and my beloved suede overknees by Gucci, all from F/W 2010. This is a great way of working your new cruise pieces into your winter wardrobe.

The Gucci resort 2011 collection is available now at Gucci stores or at www.net-à-porter.com.

LoL, Sandra

It is August and the majority of fall campaigns can be seen now in the new fashion magazines, ads just keep coming out of the woodwork and so I wanted to give you a brief summary of the most important ones and by whom they were shot.
It is funny to see that this world in particular is pretty small and some photographers are ahead of the game.

My personal favourite is Bottega Veneta`s strong expressive F/W 2010 campaign. Shot by the godfather of energetic graphic photography himself: Robert Longo. The artist has became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s with his series „Men in the Cities“ that depicts men and women in business attire contorted in extreme positions.

The winner this season seems to be renowned Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. The dream team that has defined the look of the past decade, shot the most campaigns. Enjoy my preview:

The American photographer and long-time protégé of both Franca Sozzani and Anna Wintour, editors-in-chief of Italian and American Vogue is also a big shot in the world of fashion photography. No wonder, Steven Meisel shot all those gorgeous campaigns.

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinood Matadin, a fashion photographer duo that is well known for their independent art work. Most of their photographs are both critical and slightly disturbing as you can see in the campaigns they shot for F/W 2010.

Italian-born Mario Sorrenti is a photographer and director best known for his spreads of nude models in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino has shot many fashion stories and celebrities. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums.

Hermès has come up with another really beautiful advertising campaign shot by Paolo Roversi. I love his romantic, vintage looking photos that always seem to tell a story. To me, a perfect choice for the French house!

Bruce Weber is a well-known face in the world of advertising photography. His career really took of in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his famous advertising images for Calvin Klein.

Juergen Teller‘s work is extraordinary and with a distinctive design. His raw style makes him one of the most influential fashion photographers working today.

Multi-talent Karl Lagerfeld likes to keep everything in his own hands. So no wonder that he shoots the advertising campaigns for his own collections for Chanel and Fendi.

Steven Klein is an American photographer that shot many high-profile advertising campaigns for various clients. This season he was hired by Dolce & Gabbana to capture a close knit Italian family with Madonna as the matriarchal figure through his lens.
Great job!

LoL, Sandra