Sandra‘s Closet

It was a busy day in Paris when I was shooting the social media campaign for the new Piaget Possession collection right along Jessica Chastain. I stayed at the beautiful Le Meurice hotel where we took some of the photos before leaving for the cocktail reception at the Piaget boutique at Place Vendôme, followed by an amazing dinner at Le Jules Verne restaurant on the 2nd level of the famed Tour Eiffel which I can only recommend. You enjoy the best of contemporary French cuisine along with the most spectacular view of the City of Lights, scintillating beneath your feet.

My look: Jacquard mini dress with pleated skirt and lace-up stretch-jersey bodysuit in black, both by Givenchy, multicolored patchwork bag and pearl embellished sunglasses, both by Chanel, college coat and Janis suede platform pumps, both by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch and Possession ring, both by Piaget, Hapi leather bracelet by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris last week, I was invited by Louis Vuitton to explore the new Haute Joaillerie collection: ACTE V at their newly opened showroom at Place Vendôme. Old sketch books from the house were also on show as well as the high-finished jewels in diamonds and brilliant stones.

V as in the Roman numeral 5 is the leitmotif in the house’s fifth high jewelry collection. V is also the modern ideogram,the Maison’s signature stylised by Gaston-Louis Vuitton during the Art Deco period, in which he was a major player, chairing the Exhibition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925.

Here are some of the most stunning pieces of the new ACTE V collection, of which each jewel is constructed on the basis of a V:

The Genesis Necklace
The cornerstone of the collection is presenting the V as in the shape of this pixelated gem, a 87.92-carat triangular Australian black opal.
White Gold – 1 Australian Opal: 87,92 cts – 1 Tourmaline: 8,60 cts – 1 Sapphire: 5,07 cts – 2 LV Star Cut Diamonds: 1,04 ct / 1,07 ct – Diamonds

The Genesis Ring
This is another amazing piece of Vuitton’s new High Jewelry collection. The exceptional 20.94-carat blue grey Burmese sapphire was extracted from the Pien Pyit mine in Mogok valley.
White Gold – 1 Burmese sapphire: 20,94 cts – Sapphires: 1,44 ct – Diamonds

Cuff bracelets were the star items of jewelry in the ’20s and for ACTE V, they are crafted with an avante-garde aesthetic transporting the idea of women travelling and breaking free:

The Apotheosis Cuff
White Gold – 1 Tsavorite Grenat: 16,51 cts – Onyx – Diamonds

The Apotheosis Bracelet
White Gold – Diamonds

The Apotheosis Necklace
White Gold – 1 Paraïba Type Tourmaline : 7,93 cts – 1 Emerald: 0,41 ct – Diamonds

The Metamorphosis Necklace
Platinum – 2 Panjshir Emeralds: 5,29 cts / 4,23 cts – Diamonds

Below you can enjoy some exclusive behind the scene photos of the artwork behind such a jewel.

In this collection, Louis Vuitton brings together extraordinary gems discovered after diligent searches the world over. This know-how is crystallised in a ring with a red Tanzanian spinel weighing over 20 carats, boasting a brilliance similar to that of diamonds:

The Metamorphosis Ring
Platinum – 1 Red Spinel: 20,03 cts – Diamonds

With ACTE V, Louis Vuitton pays tribute to outstanding and hard to find stones, their quality criteria and the emotions they arouse. They are the soul of the jewel: at the heart of the piece, they make us dream and indulge in the beauty of their colors.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht

Greetings from Paris where I am for another exciting photo shoot with Dior for the launch of their new mascara and eyeliner. The pictures and review will follow shortly. Here you see me at Place Vendôme in one of my favorite outfits this season. I have been in love with Simone Rocha‘s designs from the beginning. From Central Saint Martins graduate to London Fashion Week highlight in under a year, she is the hot new design star to watch. Her innovative collections focus on clean color palettes and experimental fabric techniques.

My look: Faux pearl-embellished scuba-mesh jacket and matching skirt with cutout detail, both by Simone Rocha, cropped black sweater and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent. Pearl hoop earrings and tricoloured Lady Dior bag by Christian Dior. Jewelry by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I was in Paris for an exciting special project that will be revealed in March. Here you see me at one of my favorite places in the city: at Place Vendôme, the most beautiful square in the 1st arrondissement and home to the biggest names in high-end jewelry.

My look: Black coat with lace detail by Prada, leather and cotton-jersey sweater, chain-trimmed leather mini skirt, and Betty chain red leather shoulder bag, all by Saint Laurent, fine-knit wool turtleneck sweater by Lanvin, boots by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and rose diamond ring by Piaget.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht