Sandra‘s Closet

This weekend, the 31th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place which celebrates artist-driven filmmaking and recognizes the finest achievements of today’s independent filmmakers. I am once more guest of Piaget and couldn’t be anymore excited about it. If you have a look at this post about last year’s event, you will understand immediately what I am talking about.

One year ago, the sun and stars were out on a Saturday afternoon at the 30th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, co-hosted by Piaget for the eighth consecutive year and held on the beach in Santa Monica. The event paid tribute to some of this year’s most important films and also attracted the biggest names in Hollywood, including the Swiss brand’s international brand ambassador and Best Supporting Female nominee for «A Most Violent Year,» Jessica Chastain, along with Michael Keaton, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Matt Bomer, Emma Stone, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Oprah Winfrey, Olivia Munn, Miles Teller, Andy Samberg and Emmy Rossum.

I am sure that you are curious how such an award ceremony takes place. So let me walk you through the different steps.

Click here to get all details of me look.

First, it takes place during the day in Santa Monica. Many people are waiting outside of the fences at the beach to spot their favorite celebrities. You arrive and walk the red (in this case pink) carpet and feel like a star yourself…

Cate Blanchett in Schiaparelli Couture on the pink carpet

Julianne Moore dazzled in Dior Couture

Emma Stone donned a lace Monique Lhuillier dress.

With CEO of Piaget Philippe Leopold-Metzger

CEO of Piaget Philippe Leopold-Metzger framed by Swiss girls Lauriane Gillieron, Alizée Gaillard and myself.

Before the award ceremony itself takes place, you can enjoy the start of the event in Piaget’s VIP lounge. Featuring modern, luxurious details and a grand piano in the center, winners, nominees and friends of the House joined Piaget CEO Philippe Leopold-Metzger for a celebratory glass of champagne and a peak at the High Jewellery Mediterranean Garden collection.

Actor Eric Roberts at the piano inside the lounge.

Piaget was the jeweler and watchmaker of choice for many of the attending stars, including my humble self, who wore stunning earrings from Piaget’s Mediterranean Garden collection, along with my Limelight Gala watch and a rose diamond ring.

During the Independent Spirit Awards, you can get really close to the stars and have a chat with them.

Ethan Hawke

I did an interview with Jessica Chastain (if you are interested in reading it, click here please).

Kerry Washington, who plays the Olivia Pope in «Scandal»

«Magic Mike» star Matt Bomer

Long-time friend of the House Emmy Rossum

Anne Heche

Sylvie Meis

Marcia Cross wore a long Piaget Rose sautoir in rose gold.

Inside the award tent.

As the ceremony takes pretty long in general, you are very thankful for food and drinks.

Cate Blanchett won Best Female Lead in 2014 and is nominated again tomorrow for «Carol», in 2015 she was presenting Best Feature which was «Birdman».

In 2015, Best Female Lead was the title for Julianne Moore for her amazing performance in «Still Alice».

 Jessica Chastain and Andy Samberg presented the winner of Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton for «Birdman».Patricia Arquette won as Best Supporting Female in «Boyhood».

 Oprah Winfrey introducing the clip from «Selma».Scarlett Johansson was presenting Best Director. Richard Linklater won for «Boyhood.»

And yes, there is a prompter in the tent…

… which everyone including the hosts of the ceremony, Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen, were using.

Alizée Gaillard, Mousse Jacquier and Lauriane Gilliéron

But the best about this trip is always to treasure the fun moments with your girlfriends and of course with you, my dear readers. I am so excited being back in my favorite city in the world and for tomorrow’s event! Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and © Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Piaget

Last month, the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards took place on the beach in Santa Monica. Now in its 29th year, the awards are a celebration honouring films made by film-makers who embody independence and originality. I was invited by Piaget, co-host of the star-studded event for the seventh consecutive year.

With several of last year’s most noteworthy films being independent productions, the event drew some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Jared Leto, Jon Hamm, Lupita Nyong’o and Reese Witherspoon, among others. Therefore a gazillion of photographers were waiting for the celebrities to arrive.

Jared Leto had obviously as much fun on the red (in this case blue) carpet as I did…

…and I admit that I could totally getting used to it.

Throughout the afternoon and following the ceremony, award winners and guests celebrated in Piaget’s exclusive backstage lounge where some of the maison’s newest jewelry, as well as rare vintage creations were on display.

From left to right: Lauriane Gilliéron‎ (Miss Switzerland 2005), Mousse Jacquier (Piaget), Nicole Suess (Piaget) and my humble self had fun in the tent.

Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, Angela Bassett, Philippe Léopold-Metzger, CEO of Piaget, and his wife Catherine.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are like the road to the Academy Awards, held one day before with an outstanding guest list. The spirit winners below also won in the same category at the Oscars 2014.

Best Female Lead
WINNER
Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (2013)

The blonde actress wore a dress from Roksanda Ilincic‘s Fall 2014 collection.

Best Supporting Female
WINNER
Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Thanking her mum for her never-ending support, Lupita Nyong’’o holds her award for best supporting actress for “12 Years a Slave“, the movie that won big at the Independent Spirit Awards, taking home five trophies including best feature.

Me with Brad Pitt who also stars in the historical drama film about slavery.

A pic with Brangelina… that is pretty cool, don’t you think?!

The two stars of AIDS drama Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, took home acting prizes, as they did on Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Best Male Lead
WINNER
Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Best Supporting Male
WINNER
Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Keanu Reeves with me

Angela Bassett looked so radiant and sparkled in white gold and diamond Piaget Rose cutout drop earrings.

Piaget’s global ambassador, Gong Li, dazzled photographers and fans in a stunning pair of Piaget Rose Passion torsade earrings and a Rose cocktail ring, both in white gold with diamonds.

Anthony Chen with me

Anna Kendrick wore a matching suite of Piaget Rose jewels, that looked divine in combination with her white dress and clutch by Dior.

On stage: Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon

Jason Bateman with me

Very handsome is Mad Men actor Jon Hamm.

It was an amazing experience and I am truly thankful for Piaget’s invitation! Stay tuned for my outfit post coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Piaget, Michael Kovac/WireImage and © Sandra Bauknecht

On Wednesday last week, I went with Piaget to the beautiful Château de Malmaison. Located at the gates of Paris, the former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress Joséphine, has a large variety of porcelain collections, paintings and furniture on display.

The Château de Malmaison, purchased by Joséphine in 1799, became her permanent home after her divorce in 1809 and she lived there until she died in her bedroom in 1814.

Madame Bonaparte was famous for her interest in the field of botany and created magnificent gardens. Joséphine grew many rare species of plants and cultivated 250 species of roses, her favourite flower. Unfortunately, her heritage is not present today and the fields lie fallow. But this will be changing soon because the rose has a history that Piaget is committed to preserving.

Yves Piaget, scion of the company’s founders, has been celebrating his love of roses since over 30 years. The house’s Rose jewelry collection is a tribute to this dedication. The famous Yves Piaget Rose is named after him which was beautifully put on display at lunch. For Monsieur Piaget, “the rose is a symbol of love, joy and peace.” He explained, “that he was fascinated  by the rose breeder’s mutual challenges, beauty and performance,” and went on about “the two passions in his life: The Piaget company and the rose.”

Yves Piaget with me

Philippe Léopold-Metzger (to the left), CEO of Piaget, announced that Piaget will finance the rebuilding and reconstruction of Château de Malmaison’s rose garden that is meant to be completely finished in 2014. Then, it will present 750 rose bushes from the First to the Second Empire, enhancing the knowledge of the botanical work of the Empress. Amaury Lefébure (to the right), Director of Château de Malmaison, expressed his gratitude to the house of Piaget as this support “is something that very seldom happens in the life of a curator.”

The Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweler will also be involved in the restoration of some of the original gowns worn by Joséphine. “Another chance to bring back the beauty to the castle.”

After we had enjoyed a great tour around the property and the chateau, we were treated to a beautiful and delicious lunch. Didn’t my sweater match the Yves Piaget Rose décor perfectly?! Stay tuned for a detailed outfit post coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Ad Campaign Photos: Courtesy of Piaget