Sandra‘s Closet

My avid readers know how much I enjoy being up in the air and exploring new places. I absolutely adore flying. The sky is my happy place. Most of the time, I try to fly with hand luggage. However it is not always possible. The past summer, my suitcase got lost five times. I always found it again thanks to some little features I added to my luggage.

I got myself Rimowa’s Petal collection.

First of all, I recommend personalizing your suitcase. Choose a fun color that stands out of all the grey and black luggage that most people use. You can already spot it easily when it is loaded on the plane and you can spot it from far on the carrousel. It is also great for the ground staff when they have to identify a missing piece.

If you would like to take it up a notch and make your piece absolutely unique, I recommend stickers. They are not only absolutely fun but also great to personalize your suitcase. Here are some of the most fun and stylish ones available at the moment.

Sticker Set by Gucci

Sticker Sets by Rimowa

Hotel Postcards Labels Set by Louis Vuitton

In order to be able to track your suitcase yourself, put an AirTag in it. It saved me so many times … Last summer, when many suitcases got stranded, I went in the hall at the airport and played the sound. Like this, I easily spotted it under piles of other suitcases.

If you are not in the mood of doing the artwork yourself, have a look at Louis Vuitton‘s S/S 2024 runway «Side Trunk MM Elysee Palace Hotel MNG» bag that is inspired by the Maison’s first hotel that will open its doors in 2026 on the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées in Paris.

I cannot wait for my next trip … stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht
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I love Rimowa‘s seasonal colors for their Essential collection. They are always limited and special. In addition, their glossy finish ensures, that the luggage is always easy to spot. This summer’s hues are inspired by cherry blossom trees and deep dark forests, called Petal, a delicate nude pink shade, and Cedar, a dark brown with a green undertone.

When I spotted the Petal shade, I knew this has to be part of my travel collection. I bought three sizes, Essential Cabin, Essential Check-In L, and Essential Trunk Plus. They are so perfect for traveling and I can only recommend the line.

I am ready for my next summer vacation… Mykonos here I come!

LoL, Sandra

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

Chic, stylish and fashion-loving, Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris has enjoyed a long love affair with Haute Couture. Favoured by fashionistas, the spirit of couture lives on throughout the hotel in every personalised, hand-tailored detail. The location itself couldn’t be more appropriate, located on the famous Avenue Montaigne, where a century of designers and artists have pursued boldness and passion. On the doorstep you’ll find all the big-name boutiques including Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

The House of Dior has a very special connection with the hotel. Back in 1946, Christian Dior opened his first boutique on Avenue Montaigne, inspired by the idea of attracting elegant customers. In homage to his love of the hotel, his collections included creations called Plaza and Athénée. The legendary Dior Bar suit was even inspired by the chic women who frequented the hotel’s bar. Continuing this long relationship, the spa is a Dior Institut decorated with fashion sketches by Christian Dior and photos of his fashion shoots at the hotel.

«Women, with their intuitive instinct, understood that I dreamed not only of making them more beautiful, but happier too.» – Christian Dior

All of the hotel’s beautifully crafted rooms and suites are amazing but if you are a true fashionista and would like to experience something very special, I recommend a stay at the Haute Couture Suite that is entirely dedicated to Dior, something that’s reflected in its signature grey and pink tones. Subtle details like a mannequin, Dior books and a chocolate treat in a fashionable form, all add to the unique appeal.

The history of Haute Couture speaks of its passions in the charming design of this silken suite. A classical French palace ambience fills the living room, bedroom, dressing and bathroom with a sense of splendour, elaborate moldings and silver-leaf detail.

Paris Fashion Week is undoubtedly among the highlights of the year and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée a great spot to stay. In any case, if if it is designer fashion shopping you’re after, well you know all the best boutiques are just a few steps away.

And very importantly if you travel to Paris, don’t forget to buy one of the must-have luxe travel pieces from the collaboration between Dior and Rimowa. This luggage is to-die-for and just hitting the shelves…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hôtel Plaza Athénée 

On the occasion of Paris Fashion Week, RIMOWA has teamed up with legendary hairstylist John Nollet to create an unforgettable salon experience at the RIMOWA Paris Flagship.

Open to the public by appointment from September 28 until October 5, 2019, the visionary French hairdresser transforms the 2nd floor of the RIMOWA store into an unforgettable safari camp themed pop-up hair salon.

Inspired by the romantic mid-century safari camps, John Nollet’s Travel n’ Style Salon will offer an unique styling experience with bespoke luxury treatments created exclusively for this event including manicure by Dior.

As part of the salon pop-up, RIMOWA and John Nollet will be exhibiting a collection of unique custom cases built exclusively for the collaboration with the hairdresser’s tools of the trade in mind. Alongside the bespoke collection RIMOWA will also offer a limited number of its RIMOWA x John Nollet Classic Cabin S – the brand’s first ever titanium coloured RIMOWA Classic embellished with brown Italian leather accents. This mini capsule collection which also features a special leather luggage tag will be made available exclusively at the RIMOWA Paris Flagship for a limited time.

Event location:
RIMOWA Store Paris, 2nd Floor, 73 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris

Pop-up Hours:
10 AM -7 PM

Bookings:

+33 (0)1 55 80 71 50

Gosh, I love these pieces! Bravo, John Nollet and congrats, Rimowa for this collaboration!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © BOE, © Federico Torra

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of its iconic aluminum suitcase, RIMOWA unveiled an exclusive collaboration with FENDI in the end of last year.

Together, the two brands created transformed the iconic carry-on case with the help of sophisticated FENDI styling details, including the emblematic FENDI double F logo in brushed aluminum that changes perspective in different lighting, as well as a web belt that runs across the case, into something every fashionista is dying to travel with. The case is finished with stickers and a nametag that can be personalised by its owner.

In the second phase of a collaboration this year, the collection adds three new colours; red, blue and yellow – an addition to the black and brown version that was originally introduced in November 2017.

For all models, FENDI’s artisanal savoir-faire is featured in Cuoio Romano leather handles and the black neoprene interior lining, also embossed with the double F logo. The case is a concentrate of RIMOWA innovations too, fitted with the silent Multiwheel® system for optimum maneuverability and the Flex-Divider system for the most efficient possible packing, as well as TSA approved locks for security.

Available in FENDI and RIMOWA stores and online HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Rimowa and Fendi