Sandra‘s Closet

During my recent visit to the 27th Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris, I spotted a wonderful jewelry trend: the Opal is a stone on the rise. Gleaming with all the shades of the rainbow, the colour spectrum that these spectacular gemstones cover is breathtaking. The world’s finest opals originate from the Australian outback. Their constantly changing play of colour is known as “opalising“, and the versatile combination of colors is key to the stones’ enduring appeal.

Dark or light, pale or bright, here are the most opulent new opal jewelry pieces to fall in love with this season:

BOUCHERON Indian Palace Ring
Inspired by the colored pools found on the grounds of ancient Indian palaces, this opal ring from the house’s new Fleur des Indes collection sparkles like the surface of water.

PIAGET Extremely Piaget Cuff Watch
Set with 1,699 brilliant-cut white diamonds that are surrounding an opal dial, this outstanding cuff watch houses a Piaget 56P quartz movement, with no doubt one of the highlights of the 70s-inspired Extremely Piaget collection.

CHAUMET Lumieres d’Eau High Jewelry Ring
The opal as the center stone glistens with a pale, almost iridescent, wash of color and is offset by the intense violet of the sapphires. The white gold cocktail ring is part of the Lumières d’Eau collection and set with a 18.58ct cabochon-cut white opal from Ethiopia, an oval-cut violet sapphire, round violet sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.

LOUIS VUITTON Acte V Genesis Earrings
Featuring Australian black opals, star-cut diamonds and sapphires, those earrings belong to the house’s fifth high jewelry collection, so-called Acte V.

CARTIER High Jewelry Royal Bracelet
Cartier is a passionate observer of beauty throughout the world, always hunting for rare, unique stones. Now the house has created a new collection of High Jewelry: the Cartier Royal Collection. Part of it is this breathtaking bracelet in platinum with a 57.95 carat opal from Australia, colored sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.

So much beauty in one post… I hope that you have enjoyed looking at it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

The new sexy look is sophisticated and ultra-feminine. Hints of lace, curve-hugging dresses and even cutouts define this season’s mature seductive mood – for the Femme Fatale in you.

My look: Caroline cutout lace dress by Stella McCartney, ‘Jane’ sandals by Saint Laurent, satin clutch and earrings, both by Prada, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For a true fashion lover, Azzedine Alaïa is a must in a closet. An Alaïa dress is a seasonless wardrobe wonder piece that never lets you down. I bought my first item by the Tunisian-born designer probably 20 years ago and it still looks up to date. His designs play with discreet luxury, they are comfortable and ultra feminine. For the Bally x L’Officiel event I wore this look and played with the color combination of dark blue and black which I adore, it is so chic.

My look: Blue heart motif stretch-knit dress, black cropped fine-knit cardigan and corset belt, all by Azzedine Alaïa, Dirty ’50s stretch-denim jacket by Saint Laurent, dark blue suede strappy sandals by Miu Miu, Kelly So Black bag by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond necklace by Piaget, diamond ring and bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

Monsieur Alaïa, you have my whole heart…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, we had a sunny weekend in Switzerland and I got to wear some of my S/S 2014 pieces that had been left untouched in my closet due to the dreadful weather of the last weeks. Here you see me strolling through the city of Zurich on Saturday.

My look: Printed cotton-poplin bustier dress, floral print long cardigan and lace sandals, all by Givenchy, small ‘Sac de Jour’ tote by Saint Laurent, sunglasses by Céline, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

© Sandra Bauknecht

Dear September, a warm welcome from my side! I hope that you will save the Swiss summer 2014. Like probably most of you, I had constant clothing dilemmas with this sort of dreadful, end-of-days weather we have been getting this year.

As you see, I have started to wear my new Pre-fall 2014 pieces already in August, adding some vibrant colors to lighten up the mood and my new diamond ring makes me feel like the sunshine is at least wrapped around my finger. Whenever I look at it, my heart beats a little faster… isn’t it just a dream?!

My look: Geometric print cotton sweatshirt, LTN printed crepe skirt and printed modal and cashmere blend scarf, all by Peter Pilotto, Paris fringed suede ankle boots and Monogramme embellished shopper tote, both by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, diamond earrings by Cartier and baguette diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Friday one week ago, I went to the iconic Rive Gauche Summer Party at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. The theme of the beautiful event was “ARIGATAU LAC – A NIGHT OF ASIAN DELIGHT“. With many enchanting performances, yummy food and lots of champagne, it still keeps its crisp flavour of freshness as the first social event after the summer break when everybody in the city enjoys the “to see and to be seen” part a lot! The dress code was “Asian Cocktail, Tokyo-Chic, Dress to Impress the West.” I didn’t want to wear a traditional cheongsam (Mandarin gown) as I was sure most of the guest would show up in something similar so I went for this origami-inspired gown spiced with some Chinese ideographs on my bag.

My look: Draped jersey dress by Givenchy, Jane sandals with chunky silver-tone studding by Saint Laurent, “Take Away” bag by Chanel, diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget, necklace and earrings by Dior.

For the photos of last year’s Rive Gauche Summer Party, please click HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

On Saturday evening, I attended the Zoofäscht 2014 one of the highlights of Zurich’s social calendar. The black tie event takes place every second year and collects money to support the Zurich Zoo. This time, CHF 850.000 were collected for the new Yak-enclosure.

My look: Striped tiered feather jacket by Givenchy, cutout crepe gown by Alexander McQueen, Jane leather sandals by Saint Laurent, satin clutch by Prada, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget, earrings by Chanel and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

With my dearest friend Dusa Bibus at the Zoofäscht 2014

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s photos were taken at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany. The probably largest and longest-lasting open air gallery in the world is actually an international memorial for freedom. With 1.3 km, it is the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall, located near the city centre on Muehlenstraße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, next to the river Spree.

The East Side Gallery consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, painted in 1990 on the east side of the Berlin Wall.

Inspired by yesterday’s post about Rihanna who’s sporting the military trend for our September 2014 cover of L’OFFICIEL Schweiz/Suisse, here is a gun salute to the revival of military chic fashion this fall. Therefore I went through my closet to look for my S/S 2010 Balmain pieces – the season when it had been up-to-date the last time.

My look: Military shirt and khaki tank top, both by Balmain (from the S/S 2010 collection, for the new F/W 2014 pieces, please click HERE), pants by Alexander McQueen (similar ones HERE), sneakers by Prada Sport, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, sunglasses by Valentino and Boy Bag with chains by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Hitchhiking with Chanel

One of the most impressive paintings at the East Side Gallery: Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing by Dmitri Vrubel.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Personally speaking, I am crazy for Hedi Slimane‘s designs for Saint Laurent. His cult rock-chic aesthetic creates strong silhouettes that are sexy and cool in one, perfect for a night out in Marrakesh. During my recent 40hours in the Moroccan city, I partied at Palais Jad Mahal, a place I can highly recommend. This colorful location combines a restaurant, a bar and a night club with great live music.

My look: Asymmetric sequined crepe mini dress, Janis leather platform pumps with chains and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, all by Saint Laurent, earrings by Chanel, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring, both by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last weekend, I was invited to a very special birthday celebration, a trip and memories that I will treasure forever. My readers who have followed me since the beginning, might remember the amazing 40 hours in Venice for my friend Dan’s 40th birthday in 2011. Now it was time to get together for his wife Mel’s big day.

When I arrived at the airport, none of the guests had any idea where we would fly to. The boarding pass said to Dummy City and when we entered the amazing private jet, everyone was speculating where it would take us. After a fun 3.5 hours flight, we landed in a fairy tale of one and one thousands nights in Marrakesh. The magic red city, where the legends of the Orient still feel alive. And my outfit couldn’t have been a better match…

My look: Dotted silk cardigan and matching top, both by Dolce & Gabbana, transparent black plissée harem pants by Gucci, Boy bag with chains and metallic patent phone holder, both by Chanel, Alice leather sandals with pearls by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch and rose diamond ring by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

Stay tuned for more from this weekend coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht