Sandra‘s Closet

Finely engraved in yellow gold, the Hermès ship’s colourful unfurled sails and emblematic bow glide beneath a star-studded aventurine sky.

Viewed through a telescope, the Hermès flagship – its hull inspired by the historic boutique at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris – steers its way through the starry night with its blend of miniature painting and engraving. Its bow bearing the effigy of the famous firework maker and its billowing sails come to life at the virtuoso hands of Hermès artisans.

Created in 2015 by Philippe Delhotal, the Slim d’Hermès watch vividly expresses the singularity of the house with its blend of understated elegance and visual balance. Modern yet timeless, its pared-down lines highlight Hermès’ inimitably creative, fanciful touch, offering a subtle interpretation of the patterns adorning its iconic silk scarves.

Produced in a limited edition of 12, the Slim d’Hermès Flagship is inspired by Dimitri Rybaltchenko’s eponymous design for a silk scarf. Surging ahead amid a shower of shooting stars, the vessel reflects the artist’s poetic universe navigating between the imaginary and the real.

After a multitude of layers of micro-paint are applied with a brush and then heat-dried in a kiln, the aventurine dial reveals a bronzed decoration featuring unique nuances, volumes and details. The ship evoking the legendary Parisian boutique is carved in relief by the engraver’s burins and chisels, then handpainted and delicately placed on the night sky. A mischievous star at 4 o’clock comes to life in step with wrist movements. Housed in a slim yellow gold case measuring 39.5 mm in diameter, this eloquent expression of horological expertise beats to the rhythm of the Manufacture Hermès H1950 self-winding movement and is fitted with an elegant abyss blue alligator strap matching the maritimeinspired dial tones.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hermès
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Weekends in Paris are always well spent. The House of Courrèges is known for its chic retro vibe, so you’ll be in for a stylish time. From exploring the iconic landmarks to enjoying leisure strolls along the Seine river, everything is fashionable in the French capital.

If you would like to know more abut the French Maison, that was founded in the ’60s by André Courrèges, click here for a previous post.

My look: Belted short heritage crepe coat, cut-out sleeveless minidress, heritage leather knee boots, and re-edition leather shoulder bag, all by Courrèges, oval-frame acetate sunglasses, and grooved cabochon clip earrings, all by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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Yesterday I had an amazing experience with Christian Louboutin, when I visited his small atelier, the famed L’Atelier Sur Mesure, on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which is reserved for private customers and one-of-a-kind creations. It is located just a few doors from the first-ever Christian Louboutin store.

Most of the footwear is manufactured and produced at his factory in Milan, but here dreams come true as you can enjoy a made to measure service. This is haute couture for your feet. Here your measurements matter when you start a meticulous 8-step process to achieving the perfectly sculpted pair of shoes.

When you arrive at Christian Louboutin’s Paris Atelier, your Cinderella journey starts. Several key points of your feet will be measured. After that, precise, three-dimensional imprints are made by stepping into foam moulds.

You will have to choose which silhouette will be your base, for example the Kate or the Pigalle pumps, and you are then spoilt for choice, with the opportunity to customize your preferred silhouette, heel height, toe shape, desired material and other embellishments.

Three-dimensional foot casts are sculpted, that help the artisans to create the shoe’s first draft by hand in leather before other specialists sew and assemble the final product. This process takes months as these drafts undergo multiple reassessments and adjustments before reaching their final, impeccably finished state. Every shoe is ultimately approved by Christian Louboutin, himself and you as a client are allowed immense involvement in the entire process, through the sharing of ideas and expectation.

I personally experienced the craftsmanship to apply Swarovski crystals to the satin base of the shoe. It is such a difficult procedure and you appreciate the skills of the artisans even more.

Visiting the L’Atelier Sur Mesure was an incredible experience especially as I am obsessed with shoes.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Paris Couture Week is always amazing, especially in the summer, when the weather is nice. One of my favorite places to stay and a true insider tip is the hotel Maison des Champs-Elysées. Located in the heart of Paris’ «Golden Triangle», parallel to the prestigious Avenue Montaigne, this very special non-conformist 5-star hotel teases your expectations, with theatrical elements in a relaxed atmosphere.

Celebrating an elegant marriage of contemporary lines and unobtrusive luxury, the impressive decoration of the hotel can be seen in every detail. It is the result of the collaboration with iconic fashion designer Martin Margiela. Each corner is full of surprises and creates a magnificent setting for your stay in Paris. Offering a peaceful atmosphere and all the facilities of modern luxury comfort for good value of money, the hotel has 57 tastefully furnished rooms and suites. There is also a smoker’s lounge called the «Blind Bar» across from the lobby area that is dressed all in white, and even an outdoor terrace where you can relax and meet from morning to night in the midst of the city.

This month, I stayed at the Gilded Lounge Suite, in which artistic pretence is given perfect expression, whose walls are covered with wallpaper made from black and white photographs of the gilded lounge on the second floor. The perspectives and ornamental richness of the Napoleon III style are thereby reproduced in trompe-l’œil fashion throughout the suite. In the bedroom, a large bookcase filled with books covers the wall above the bed.

Last time, I booked the White Cover Suite. The lower part of the classic Haussmann walls with picture rails, surrounds and plinths breaks with the upper part which consists of large panels of stretched white cotton. The pictures, objects and furnishings are delicately covered with white cotton. A series of Ural alabaster lights on the bedroom ceiling become visible in the evening and frame a broad mirror, creating a magical setting.

The team is so lovely and always very happy to help with anything. I can absolutely recommend the hotel. By the way, I pay my stays and this post is not sponsored, but fully authentic.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Anouk Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Finally, here is my full report about the amazing private party hosted by KILIAN PARIS at Hôtel Plaza Athénée to close out Paris Fashion Week and celebrate its 15th anniversary. The evening was absolutely magical.

With my colleague outside at the bar, Armenia’s 1st blogger, @kamotovmasyan. 

KILIAN PARIS reimagined its festive and ultra-luxurious universe inside the iconic Parisian palace by taking over the bar. An impressive showcase was staging, allowing the guests to rediscover the brand most iconic creations of the past 15 years.

My girls: @annanooshin, @carasantana, and @ms_kuan.

Detailed outfit post coming soon… this is one of my favorite outfits of the season.

From the bar we moved to the party location inside the hotel where a photo call was waiting for us.

Founder Kilian Hennessy and my humble self in the photo booth.

Having fun with my dear friends, super stars from Malaysia @schaalyahya.

Friends of the brand were immersed into KILIAN PARIS’ world by perfectly embodying the brand’s motto «Don’t be shy!» at the red neon content corner while enjoying cocktails inspired by KILIAN PARIS fragrances.

My favorite KILIAN PARIS fragrances on display: Woman in Gold, Good Girl Gone Bad, Love and Rolling in Love.

Lena Mahfouf, the number 1 influencer in France, wrote a message on the mirror.

We could also leave our their best anniversary wishes on a giant mirror with Le Rouge Parfum scented lipsticks as pencils, and the celebration turned out to be beyond expectations.

We danced all night long to DJ Kiddy Smile’s set, who certainly had the perfect recipe to light the dance floor on fire.

With notable guests including Kilian Hennessy, Lena Mahfouf, Natasha Poly, Coco Rocha, Ashley Park, Sir John, Maria Borges, Maye Musk, Ellen von Unwerth, Brooklyn Beckham, Nicola Peltz, Bilal Hassani, Alison Toby, Leonie Hanne, Xenia Adonts and others.

Girls gang: @carasantana, @jessicakroy, @whoiscaitbailey, @xeniaadonts and my humble self @sandrascloset.

Shooting the beautiful anniversary packaging in between for KILIAN PARIS …

KILIAN PARIS family kicked-off this year full of celebrations and surprises around the world. 15 years, 15 locations! Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / KILIAN PARIS / GETTY IMAGES
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On the second day of the three-day extravaganza with KILIAN PARIS to celebrate the Maison’s 15th anniversary, founder Kilian Hennessy invited to an intimate lunch at «La Suite Girafe».

Located on the 9th floor of the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, «La Suite Girafe» or LSG to its friends, was the former flat of the curator who had a private terrace with a panoramic view of the whole of Paris in the 1930s. Today it seats 100 people and is open for lunch and dinner. Famous Parisian interior designer Joseph Dirand created a beautiful space with stunning views over the Eiffel Tower.

In terms of cuisine, the emphasis is on the praise of iodine, with ever more refined dishes that give pride of place to the products. Like a Parisian seahouse, LSG offers a contemporary marine cuisine where seafood, raw and cooked fish in all their forms are combined. Don’t miss the famous pavlova for dessert, it is divine.

«La Suite Girafe» is open to the public (strictly by reservation only) and to members of PH1 (a private members club by Paris Society). It has been one of my favorite restaurants in Paris since its opening in 2021 and I can absolutely recommend it.

La Suite Girafe
1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
75016 Paris
Phone: +33 01 42 25 25 59

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
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The first weekend in October I flew to Paris with KILIAN PARIS for a three-day extravaganza to celebrate the Maison’s 15th anniversary.

We started with cocktails at the beautiful Kilian boutique at Rue Cambon, followed by a dinner at Bonnie, the new hot spot in the French capital, overlooking Paris and its stunning scenery from above. Please enjoy some impressions of the first night. The details of my look and the report about the next days will follow shortly.

«I want to put perfumery back on its pedestal by going back to the truth about perfume; back to the way perfume was made in the late 19th and the early 20th century, but adding a contemporary twist at the same time.» – Kilian Hennessy

Born into one of France’s most illustrious dynasties in fine liquors, Kilian Hennessy translates the sensibility and vision inherited from his ancestors into the realm of perfume. A culture of pursuing ultimate luxury, and his audacious rule-breaking approach, define his name’s sake brand, KILIAN PARIS.

After graduating, he then went on to train with the greatest noses in perfumery and worked for the most prestigious perfume houses such as Christian Dior, Paco Rabanne, Alexander McQueen and Giorgio Armani.

In 2007, Kilian launched his own namesake brand with the ambition of reflecting not only his distinct personality, but also to achieve a perfect alliance between elegance and uncompromising luxury. His «eco-luxe» philosophy that each bottle can be refilled and kept for a lifetime catapulted the brand to the top of the fragrance market and into a niche of its very own.

In 2022, Kilian celebrates fifteen years of perfume making and his foray into decorative cosmetics with a series of celebration around the globe, kicking it off in Paris. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Last Tuesday, I attended the CHANEL S/S 2021 show at the Grand Palais in Paris. Virginie Viard presented a beautiful collection that I will show you shortly. My look was all about CHANEL and I mixed different pieces from different seasons to achieve this kind of ’80s inspired style I truly love.

My look: Short tweed jacket in black (Look 42 Paris – Rue Cambon 31 Métiers d’Art 2020), knitwear top with trompe d’oeil effect (Look 13 Paris – Rue Cambon 31 Métiers d’Art 2020), embellished leggings (Cruise 2020), metal glass pearls leather earrings (Cruise 2020), tweed cap, leather and chain bracelet (S/S 2020), leather and chain logo belt (S/S 2020), small Gabrielle Chanel bag (Paris Cosmopolite Métiers d’Art 2017), and Kangaroo wrap around bow tie lace high heel boots in black (F/W 2016), Coco Crush bracelet in yellow gold, Coco Crush necklace in beige gold with diamonds, and Pétales de Camélia ring in yellow gold with diamond, all by CHANEL, Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watch and LOVE bracelets, all by Cartier, Baroque polka-dot print face mask by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht – Thank you, Hester, for taking them!
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Welcome to Paris: the city of lovers, artists and poets. Paying tribute to the City of Light’s splendor, the CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN launches its new signature tote: The Cabaraparis.

«Paris is my ultimate muse. It’s one of the most visited cities in the world, with some of the grandest architecture. I wanted to capture that fantasy element of Paris, not anchor the CABARAPARIS in reality.» Christian Louboutin

Marking the first artist collaboration on a seasonal tote, the Cabaraparis is typically tongue-in-cheek. Featuring five neoprene panels illustrated by the talented Hélène Tran, the city’s most timeless characters and iconic monuments are brought to life by her inimitable brushstrokes.

To shop the Cabaraparis Day tote, click here please.

Available in two precious strass-embellished styles, the Cabaraparis pays tribute to the City of Light’s two facets. By day, the Cabaraparis takes us on a whirlwind ride through the capital’s streets. Dotted throughout this dreamscape map of Paris, we discover a giant red-soled Corset stiletto pumps, flirtatious chimeras and crazed streetlamps, all more charismatic than the last. In a whimsical twist, love letters written by Christian to his beloved city line the Cabaraparis Day’s interior.

To shop the Cabaraparis Night tote, click here please.

Over on the Cabaraparis Night, the sun has set and the cabaret lights dazzle with their brilliance. Chimeras beguile and enchant Christian, turning him into a Parisian sphinx, half human, half leopard. High in the inky blue sky, a CL star twinkles with strass crystals whilst on rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, the Maison’s flagship boutique illuminates the darkened streets, drawing in curious passersby. On the tote’s lining, a feline Christian meows, «T’shoes me!».

Part of this amazing capsule collection are of course different high heels and sneakers – one pair more beautiful than the other.

A whirlwind of imagination and storytelling, the launch of the Cabarapariswas set to coincide with a retrospective exhibition at the famed Palais de la Porte Dorée, dedicated to the designer’s creative universe. Needless to say, Paris is always a good idea!

TO SHOP CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Christian Louboutin
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Following it’s launch in June of 2019, The Marc Jacobs – the new line from Marc Jacobs International – is opening in Paris’ Le Marais neighborhood. Located at 30 rue des Archives, the store will offer the full range of items across all product categories. The new line celebrates the eclectic and individual approach to getting dressed. «We wanted to do something that is unlike the collections we are already doing, in that it is more ‘item-y.’» said Jacobs.

THE MARC JACOBS opening party in Paris hosted by Michel Gaubert and Olympia Le Tan.

Drawing from the periods, music, art and pop culture that have always inspired, classic silhouettes, true to the spirit of Marc Jacobs, will be reinterpreted with each season creating an on-going and on-growing wardrobe of items. Key collaborations, including the classic Peanuts cartoons, as well as with British artist Magda Archer, are highlights.

THE MARC JACOBS
30, Rue des Archives
75004 Paris
Monday – Saturday 11 am – 7.30 pm / Sunday 12pm – 7 pm
Phone: + 33 1 44 50 23 65

TO SHOP THE MARC JACOBS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Michel Gaubert and Olympia Le-Tan

Photos by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs