Sandra‘s Closet

Last Wednesday, the official opening of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich took place. It was a fun evening filled with lots of fashionable moments and surprises. Many people like to complain that the MBFDZ are not comparable to New York, Paris or Milan and of course they are right, but why should they?

Isn’t it great that we have something like this in Switzerland where you can enjoy runway shows, international designers, drink champagne and enjoy great food (the Park Hyatt Zurich served some amazing dishes) while meeting interesting people and see your friends. I wished all fashion weeks were like that… because in general they are definitely not as convenient as here in Zurich.

The main sponsors of the event, such as Mercedes-Benz, Paul Mitchell, H&M and Etihad Airways, had their own booths in the VIP tent during the Fashion Days Zurich.

An amazing surprise is waiting for you during the next weeks in collaboration with Etihad Airways, L’Officiel Switzerland and Sandra’s Closet. Make sure to stay tuned.

Giving an interview for Glanz & Gloria.

Photo call in front of the Samsung booth where I would reveal the tablet I designed the next day.

Here with the lovely two winners of the contest I posted last week.

Front row with fabulous Theo Grigoriadis (Trois Pommes).

First show of the night: the Berlin-based label Lala Berlin. The desert and nomadism inspired Leyla “Lala” Piedayesh for her S/S 2015 collection. I liked her embellished denim pieces (see picture below).

Swiss designer Julian Zigerli has enjoyed an enormous media attention since being selected a few seasons back by Giorgio Armani to present at the Armani Theater. For S/S 2015, he showed his iconic graphic prints and innovative cuts.

Turkish designer Lug Von Siga presented a fierce S/S 2015 collection at the opening night. Colourful and feminine, many pieces caught my eyes. Definitely a designer to watch!

My absolute favorite show of the night was Bibhu Mohapatra (see the photo below) S/S 2015. His gowns were dreamlike, but also the day offerings were particularly strong this season. Feminine and fitted, eclectic and sophisticated, the NYC-based label is surely on the rise.

I was a little disappointed by Max Mara. The Italian house showed some looks from their F/W 2014 collection and some pieces that are available in the store, which made it feel more like a trunk show than a runway presentation and definitely not like something new. What a pity!

Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon as well as my reports about the other nights.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, © David Biedert Photography © Andrea Monica Hug (Chic in Zurich), © Pascal Uehli Photography, © Ralf Eyertt, © Charles Aellen and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last month, another baby was born: we celebrated the launch of L’OFFICIEL VOYAGE SWITZERLAND at the home of R Selection, the luxurious travel agency in Zurich.

The first issue of our new travel dedicated supplement which is published in German and French is still on newsstands nationwide, along with the October issue gracing Charlize Theron. Some of you might remember when I flew to Paris to interview the blonde actress. If you are interested, you have to hurry. There is not so much time left until our next L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND issue will arrive.

By the way, if you subscribe to L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND, you will get it a day earlier than the newsstands! The travel supplement will come for free with it twice a year.

Enjoy some of the impressions of our launch party below. I have to say that I am a very proud editor in chief and I truly love my job!

LoL, Sandra

Manuela Weber (Cinnamon Circle) with me

Framed by Roman Sägesser (R Selection) to the left and Stefan Hottinger-Behmer (L’Officiel Switzerland) to the right.

Supermodel Patricia Schmid who graced our launch issue came from Paris for the party, here she is with Werner Dirks (La Prairie Switzerland) and my humble self.

Two reasons to celebrate: the lovely Park Hyatt Zurich team, Malte Budde and Laura Amanzi, toast to the launch of L’Officiel Voyage and their own 10 year anniversary.

Photos: Courtesy of L’Officiel Switzerland and © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently I was invited to explore PANDORA‘s new Essence Collection during an extremely yummy lunch at the Park Hyatt in Zurich.

The contemporary concept is featuring a slender sterling silver bracelet with an accompanying assortment of 24 sterling silver charms, hand-finished from precious metals and symbolic stones, each representing an inner value. It taps into current trends for personal and emotional connection, presenting different women that are each expressing their inner values such as joy, trust, passion, confidence, love, courage, faith and wisdom.

The new Pandora Essence Collection is in stores now around the world and a wonderful gift idea for a dear friend, a beloved sibling or your dear mother for Christmas. It is also the perfect way to express the essence of you, something meaningful around your wrist that reminds you every day of the values you care about.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Pandora and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Wednesday, I was invited by Montblanc to DINE & TIME with famous chefs Ivo Adam and Frank Widmer at Park Hyatt‘s Parkhuus restaurant in Zurich. It was a race against or better said with time. Each course of the gala dinner was defined by its maturing or preparation time of the ingredients and served to a certain time matching this number.

Another fun detail was the race between the watch maker to assemble parts of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph and the pastry chef to create a watch-inspired cake.

Jérôme Lambert framed by Raquel Marquard to the right and my humble self to the left.

It was the first official event in Europe to which Montblanc International’s new CEO, Jérôme Lambert, had invited and I felt very honoured to sit next to him.

Great news is: Montblanc’s amazing ‘Signature for Good’ collection, a range of special edition products, has already achieved its goal and raised 1.5 million dollars for UNICEF’s education and literacy programmes for children worldwide. Congrats!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Montblanc

Yesterday, I spent a fun afternoon at the Park Hyatt Zurich filming the short film for this year’s Il Tavolo Food Festival which will take place from June 27 -30, 2013. For more information and to get tickets, please click here.

The movie directed by Gerry Hofstetter will be presented at the opening night that will be held at the Bärengasse restaurant. I am feeling very honoured to be part of this fun event as one of the amateur chefs which might surprise some of my friends. Cooking has never belonged to my biggest passions, but I love to decorate the plates and the table. Nevertheless, you have to challenge yourself sometimes.

Frank Widmer, Executive Chef at the Park Hyatt in Zurich, took me under his wing and with his help, I managed to prepare some very yummy food yesterday. And as you can see, I had a blast and even learned how to sauté the calamari.

Enjoy those behind the scenes photos! They will surely whet your appetite…
If you like my look, click here for the previous post when we shot the ad.

LoL, Sandra

A happy team: Frank Widmer framed by Lucy Tallo (PR/TICULAR) and my humble self. 
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Tuesday night, I attended a very unusual evening in Zurich, so-called SECRET BOUDOIR at Park Hyatt. Along with over 150 influential women, I was invited to indulge in a luxurious ladies only event with top brands like Dior, Acqua di Parma and Valisère.

Dressed in the renowned lingerie label, surrounded by flower creations by Susanne Wismer Blumen, the products were presented in different installations with live models. While enjoying the event, we could indulge in gourmet chocolate from the oldest brand in Geneva, Chocolatier du Rhône. The only thing missing was definitely champagne as most of us were not up for the strong cocktails made with either Tanqueray 10 Gin or the luxurious Vodka, Cîroc.

Copenhagen-based Tine Arentsen Willumsen, from Above & Beyond, who owns the concept Secret Boudoir and is the business woman behind this experiential marketing strategy says: “Luxury has to be lived and felt! – Secret Boudoir is like walking into Vogue…actually participating and feeling the magic as a consumer!”

Park Hyatt Zurich added to the fun by presenting “Sweet Temptations”, delicious “take away” cakes created in the design of handbags and colorful cupcakes.

A fun new concept that ended in an extremely entertaining girl’s night out around the corner…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Secret Boudoir and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, Montblanc hosted a gala evening at the Park Hyatt Zurich to present their ‘Signature for Good’ 2013 campaign to the Swiss audience. I was kindly ask to come on stage to speak about this wonderful initiative and to share some of my most impressive moments during the Montblanc Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

My look: Embellished dragon-print silk-cady dress by Emilio Pucci, Catwalk patent leather bag with crocodile print and bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, 4810 hoop earrings in pink gold with diamonds by Montblanc, Tank Americaine watch in yellow gold with diamonds by Cartier and Gran Gala tights with gold shimmer by Fogal.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently, I participated in the campaign shoot for the Il Tavolo Food Festival in Zurich which will take place in collaboration with the Park Hyatt from June 27 – 30, 2013.

As I was completely free in choosing my outfit, I went for some food inspiration: Lobster print and pasta earrings. Ellin Anderegg, the photographer, liked my bag so much that it immediately became part of the advertising photo. Next to me is Lucy Tallo, owner of PR/Ticular.

My look: Lobster silhouette shift dress (If you like the crustacean theme, have a look at this Lobster intarsia-knit sweater or the Lobster-print cotton-jersey sweatshirt) and Maverick suiting blazer, all by Tibi, cutout patent-leather ankle boots by Lanvin, Miss Sicily wool tapestry and leather tote and pasta earrings, both by Dolce & Gabbana.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, the doorbell rang and the postman delivered some beautiful literally sweet surprises. The Park Hyatt Zurich sent me such a gorgeous cake in the shape of a bag that complemented the new limited edition nail polish shades by Estée Lauder PURE COLOR HEAVY PETALS perfectly.

The new limited edition spring collection of lacquers looks delicious thanks to its inspiration from the famous macaron dessert. The shades are from left to right: Narcissist, Lilac Leather, Coral Cult, Dilettante France, and Absinthe.

To a tasty weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht