Sandra‘s Closet

Having an apartment in one of the most prestigious cities that has been designed by Roberto Cavalli sounds too good to be true? No, not at all, it will soon become reality. A new luxury tower in Dubai named «I Love Florence» will be the first in the world to carry the «Roberto Cavalli» brand, bringing the glitz and glamour of runway to private homes. For the first time, Roberto Cavalli designs the interiors of an iconic residential tower with a range of exquisite home accessories and ornate fittings from Cavalli interiors.

Gian Giacomo Ferraris, Chief Executive Officer of Roberto Cavalli, said: “We are excited to work on this project that combines the sophistication of fascinating Florence with the famed luxury of dazzling Dubai. The interiors of the lavish 34-storey waterfront skyscraper, located in one of the world’s greatest urban transformations, will offer its residents a refined living experience that also echoes the romantic vibes of the rustic streets of Florence.»

Work on the AED 800 million «I Love Florence» tower, developed by Dar Al Arkan, the largest listed real estate developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and located on Dubai Water Canal in the Business Bay area, will commence in January 2018.
Yousef Bin Abdullah Al Shelash, Chairman of Dar Al Arkan, declared: «When we set out to draw our vision to become leaders in global real estate development, we decided to only settle for the best, hence our choice of Dubai Canal as a location, and the epitome of Italian luxury, Roberto Cavalli, to conceptualise and create truly outstanding living spaces, not only in the residential units, but across the tower’s amenities, including the lobbies, gym, swimming pool, yoga area, outdoor training area, and hallways. Residents and visitors will experience a true Florentine feeling.»

Towering over the 3.2 kilometres man-made waterway, the high-rise will combine stunning views of the canal’s vibrant outdoor and night scenes, with the elegance of the Florence’s Arno riverside, reflected in the interiors sketched by one of Italy’s most famed design houses. This is the first time ever that the iconic «Roberto Cavalli» fashion brand lends its name to a real estate development, anywhere in the world, to present rich interiors that project bespoke living.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

More news from the Middle East, a region that is developing extremely fast at the moment in terms of fashion business. With the launch of VOGUE ARABIA, the new online shop OUNASS that only serves the Gulf markets, operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and a growing loyal customer base in the Middle East for global online shopping destinations such as NET-A-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and MODAOPERANDI, the economy is booming. Many of those online houses are working on localised sites in the region, mostly planned for 2018/2019.

Dolce & Gabbana launched a collection of hijabs & abayas in 2016 with a lot of success.

According to a 2016 Digital Middle East report by McKinsey & Company, the Middle East is on the edge of a massive digital evolution with significant unused e-commerce potential.

Ghizlan Guenez, CEO and Founder of The Modist

Yesterday, the first global online destination for luxury modest fashion, THE MODIST, has been launched. Conceived by Ghizlan Guenez, CEO and Founder, it provides a destination for like-minded women who want in-season, luxury fashion choices while respecting the context of their personal style, spanning all ages, faiths, cultures and ethnicities. 38-year-old Guenez, who is originally from Algeria, has been living in the UAE for the last 20 years which has helped her to profoundly understand her target market. With this launch, she is definitely trying to own the region before anybody else.

“Our mission is to build a strong sense of purpose to empower a woman’s freedom of choice and to acknowledge how similar women across the world are, despite our diverse backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles – a relevant conversation at this time,” notes Guenez. “We aim to break down pre-conceived notions while building a community and dialogue that invigorates, informs and celebrates the fashionable, modern, modest woman“.

THE MODIST is shipping to over 100 countries, it is dedicated to women who dress to express their style in a contemporary, fashionable yet modest manner. The selection includes pieces of over 75 of the world’s leading ready-to-wear and accessories brands including Marni, Alberta Ferretti, Christopher Kane and Mary Katrantzou amongst others.

If you are wondering how pieces from such designers can be modest, you come to the expertise that THE MODIST wants to curate by styling such brands in a more modest way and by proposing many ideas of styling, including clever layering, longer hemlines and sleeves. Being inspired by regional insights to still attract a global audience that is the motto.Combining curated content and commerce, THE MODIST‘s accompanying magazine, «THE MOD» will provide shoppable content, seasonal features, styling guidance, moving image segments, behind the scenes excerpts as well as profiles and interviews. The platform will also include personal styling and shopping tips, an in-house studio and a 24/7 personal concierge all built on an enterprise level e-commerce platform with global logistics partnerships.

Lisa Bridgett, Chief Operating Officer, whom I know from her position as Director of Global Sales and Marketing at Net-à-Porter, adds “The market potential within the modest fashion segment is vast and projected to reach a value of $484 billion by 2019. Our goal is to provide a one-stop, immersive content and shopping destination for the global luxury modest consumer whom we know and herald“.

The team behind The Modist: Sasha Sarokin, Sally Matthews, Ghizlan Guenez, Lisa Bridgett, Dima Ayad.

With offices in London and Dubai, THE MODIST team comprises, in addition to Guenez and Bridgett, international business and fashion industry specialists including Sasha Sarokin, Buying and Fashion Director (former Head Buyer at Net-à-Porter); Sally Matthews, Creative Director (former Fashion and Beauty Director of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia) and Dima Ayad, PR and Marketing Director (former Fashion Designer and Marketing VP).

Another and interesting way of styling the Duritz pussy-bow printed crepe de chine maxi dress by Mary Katrantzou.

Great news is that you get 15% off your first purchase at THEMODIST with promo code MODGIFT.
Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Modist, @ Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

A hijabista is the Muslim equivalent of a fashionista, a trend-loving Muslim woman or girl who dresses stylishly while conforming to the Islamic modesty code. This market is still untapped but for sure very lucrative. Muslim shoppers spent $266 billion on clothing and footwear in 2013 according to a report by Thomson Reuters. That’s more than the total fashion spending of Japan and Italy combined and the number is expected to almost double to $484 billion by 2019.

Dolce & Gabbana has realized the potential and is launching a collection of hijabs and abayas for their Middle East customers. The modest garments have all the flair and iconic details such as lace or prints of any other Dolce & Gabbana collection. They are styled alongside the label’s fantastic accessories like fashion jewelry, oversized sunglasses, and statement bags. I am absolutely convinced that Muslim customers with a taste for luxury fashion will adore this new line.

It will be interesting to see if the collection will only sell in the Middle East or if online platforms such as NET-A-PORTER, MATCHESFASHION and LUISAVIAROMA will take this opportunity as well.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai, a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture and the most luxurious hotel the Middle East has ever seen, has opened its doors this November. Artistic director Donatella Versace has exclusively designed the interiors and furniture for each of the 215 rooms, bringing the opulent universe of Versace truly to life.

Grande Suite

Every detail is exquisite, from the ceilings hand-detailed in gold, to the finest marbles and mosaics.
Throughout the design run the iconic motifs of the Italian fashion house, such as the Medusa head, the Greek Key and the legendary prints, with many designs created exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Dubai.

The impressive lobby.

The grand lobby features an extraordinary 1000sqm marble mosaic floor, with bespoke furniture and textiles decorated with peacocks, falcons and horses.

Vanitas restaurant

For all-day dining, the Giardino has marble flooring and columns, with the walls decorated in a special edition of the iconic Jungle print from Versace Wallpaper collection. Meanwhile the Vanitas restaurant is like a classical Italian palace, with handmade wall decorations featuring the Grottesche Italiane.

Residence Living Room

Palazzo Versace Dubai will also be home to 169 residences, ranging from one to six bedrooms, each decorated and furnished in the true Versace style.

The pool

Situated in the heart of the city, Palazzo Versace Dubai is at the centre of the new Culture Village, located on a prime waterfront plot with unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek.

Palazzo Versace Dubai Executive Suite

This is the second Palazzo. The first, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is the world’s first fashion branded hotel concept. Following the opening of Palazzo Versace Dubai, the next Palazzo will be built in Macau.

Cannot wait to stay there the next time I will be in Dubai.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Versace

Last week, I flew to Abu Dhabi to greet the winner of the amazing contest with Etihad Airways, L’Officiel Switzerland and Sandra’s Closet. Nadya Toncheva from Hamburg won a shopping spree at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island and we truly had a great time.

Abu Dhabi’s premier lifestyle destination offers a world-class shopping experience while absorbing panoramic views of the city’s skyline. Enjoy some impressions of our shopping spree in the Middle East below.

Having fun at Dior

Nadya looking all fabulous in this Ralph Lauren look.

A happy Sandra in shopping heaven who just adores her job!

A must-have for a well equipped closet: a cotton-gabardine trench coat by Burberry London. Nadya fell immediately in love with it!

While shopping at Burberry, I spotted myself on the big screen front row at the S/S 2015 runway show in London.

We browsed almost every store in The Galleria and put many things aside. Then we had a drink and decided which pieces would be the best. Needless to say we had to get the fabulous cotton-gabardine trench coat by Burberry London first.

Nadya was looking for great pieces she could wear during the day for work that would translate easily into evening wear. This tunic blouse by Tory Burch offered both in perfection.

Mission accomplished!

Filming a little behind the scenes video for The Galleria with lovely Maria Bosenko.

Thank you Journey Feng and Maria Bosenko of the hospitality team at The Galleria for accompanying us and taking all the pictures. We had a lot of fun with you, guys!

Our lovely day ended with a yummy dinner at Cipriani and another round of drinks at Iris. Nadya, it was lovely meeting you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – thank you Maria Bosenko for taking them!

While you are reading this post, I am back in the Middle East. This time, I followed Chanel‘s invitation to Dubai. Here, the French house’s Cruise 2015 show will take place tomorrow evening.

The last time I flew with Emirates in their new amazing A380 was in January with Thierry Mugler for the launch of their newest fragrance Alien Eau Extraordinaire. In this post, I will tell you all about this fantastic trip to Oman.

The A380 is an experience in itself. The world’s largest passenger jet has a twin-deck, which means business and first class are on the top floor. Every business class seat has a built-in mini-bar, a personal storage area and a privacy divider. And here comes the best, there is even a real bar on this floor where passengers can mingle and enjoy a drink.

I spent one night in Dubai before leaving on a fun road trip to the Six Senses Zighy Bay resort which is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman.

When you arrive on top of the mountain, you will surely be taken by the breathtaking scenery of this hidden gem. The resort is as spectacular as its setting, with the natural beauty of Oman’s rugged mountain landscape on one side and a sandy beach on the other.

I have to say, I was amazed how fast you find total inner peace here through the power of nature. The resort is built on sand and you throw away your shoes in a second. Feeling the sand beneath your toes, you tantalize your senses, you enjoy an exciting remoteness and a barefoot luxury beyond imagination.

The team of Thierry Mugler invited us to “lâcher price” which means to let go and the Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the perfect surrounding. Being committed to environmental responsibility, the resort offers fresh, organic food prepared with ingredients that are cultivated in the region.

I stayed at a private villa with my own pool, 24-hour butler service and my own bike to drive around the resort. The rural charm of the rooms is amazing and I loved taking an outdoor shower in the morning.

One day, we went on a cruise. We had no cell phone coverage to really let go. It was such a beautiful afternoon that I absolutely enjoyed.

Let’s have a closer look at Alien Eau Extraordinaire, the new addition to Thierry Mugler‘s Alien family, created by Dominique Ropion and Veronique Nyberg.

Pierre Aulas, artistic director at Parfums Mugler, explained me more about this beautiful floral fragrance launch. He is very charming and a genius when it comes to both, marketing and fragrance creating.

ALIEN EAU EXTRAORDINAIRE

Delicate floral notes transport a unique freshness and femininity. Exuding pure optimism, this scent is perfect for summer.

Top notes: Tunisian Neroli, Tea and Bergamot
Middle notes: Tiare Flower and Heliotrope
Base notes: Cashmeran and White Amber

It was such an amazing trip… Stay tuned for my upcoming post from Dubai, this time with Chanel!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tom Ford presents his new fragrance inspired by the mystery and luxury of the Middle East. Evoking the untamed beauty of the Arabian Peninsula, SAHARA NOIR is an ode to the enchanting power of one of that land’s most treasured ingredients: frankincense. The composition is built around this precious desert resin, which can be found at all three main stages of the development of the fragrance. Exclusively available in the Middle East.

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Bitter orange, frankincense, calamus, cistus and cypress.
Middle notes: Beeswax, jasmine, papyrus, rose, frankincense and cinnamon.
Base notes: Ambreinol, balsam, benzoin, labdanum, oud, vanilla, frankincense resin, cedar and agarwood.

Good news is that Sahara Noir is said to launch in Europe this May.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford