Sandra‘s Closet

The launch of VOGUE ARABIA is not only a milestone for the Arab fashion scene, it is a milestone for the world of print and online media itself. In a historic move for a Vogue magazine edition, it first launched as a digital website in October 2016 before focusing on print from Spring 2017.

Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Arabia.

The magazine will be distributed in several Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz is the Editor-in-Chief of the 22nd edition of Vogue. The publication is a partnership between Condé Nast and Dubai-based media company Nervora.

In the beginning of this month, I had the honor to receive the first print edition as an exclusive preview and I absolutely adore this issue, which is published in Arabic and English. The cover features model Gigi Hadid, who is half Palestinian and half Dutch, photographed by Inez and Vinoodh. Visually, undoubtedly this is one of the best Vogue covers of all time.

“In one poised photograph, she communicates a thousand words to a region that’s been waiting far too long for its Vogue voice to speak,” says the Editor-in-Chief, Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz.

Arabia’s fashion awakening is here. Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Vogue Arabia, © Sandra Bauknecht and © Marcy Swingle for The New York Times

Jo Malone will launch Incense & Cedrat in February. The new fragrance was inspired by Omani incense and joins the Cologne Intense Collection. Celine Roux, Fragrance Director, says: “It’s the most historic and precious incense in the world. We loved the way it’s so intrinsic to Omani culture, often layered with other scents. This made complete sense to us as the philosophy of Fragrance Combining™ is an intrinsic part of our DNA.“

Omani incense has never before been captured in perfumery before. Marie Salamagne, Master Perfumer, explains the technique behind: “The really special thing about this project is that we used NaturePrint™. We spent months scouring Oman for the finest incense before bringing it back to the laboratory. When I smelt the NaturePrint™ note it was instantly inspiring. It was so close to nature. The traditional smokiness was there but there was also a freshness, something illuminating.“

The Omani incense, which is harvested from the Bowsellia sacra tree, is found in Dhofar, Oman. Incense is extracted by incising the bark. At certain times of year the trees are cut with special knives releasing tears of fresh resin which are left to dry in the sun. At the beginning of April, as soon as the temperatures start to rise, the incense gatherers cut the frankincense trees in many places. The first ‘cut’ consists of paring off the outer bark of the branches and trunk. Then three more follow. The process requires great skill and the same families work on the harvest for centuries.

Incense & Cedrat features a headspace note from the Boswellia sacra (frankincense) tree. Additional notes include lemon, pepper, elemi, labdanum and benzoin. Jo Malone Incense & Cedrat will be available as 100 ml Cologne Intense for CHF 165.00 from February 2, 2015 in Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

A great tip regarding Fragrance Combining™ comes from Marie Salamagne: “In combination with another Cologne Intense, Oud & Bergamot, it develops a sophisticated woody note that’s hypnotic and masculine. And for a completely different mood, try layering Incense & Cedrat with Red Roses. It creates a multi-faceted rose fragrance, spicy and sensual with incense.”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

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

Last week, I spent some magic days at the Zighy Bay Six Senses hotel in Oman with Thierry Mugler fragrances that I will tell you all about very soon. The last evening we went to the resort’s mountaintop restaurant Sense on the Edge and enjoyed a very memorable evening.

My look: Glittery trim jacket, crystal-embellished mesh and crepe mini dress and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, all by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch, necklace and rose diamond ring, all by Piaget, Falabella crystal-embellished faux leather clutch by Stella McCartney and Twenties stay-up by Wolford.

LoL, Sandra

Photos taken in my pool villa: © Sandra Bauknecht