Sandra‘s Closet

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

Victoire de Castellane continues the story of DIOR‘s «Rose des vents» collection with a new celestial lucky charm, so-called «Rose Céleste». A twist of grains encircles the medallion, which turns to switch between the moon and sun sides.

On the front, a mother-of-pearl moon and three small white gold stars have been embedded with infinite care in an onyx disc in order to reveal all their brilliance.

On the reverse, a majestic yellow gold sun, with nine rays of different sizes, stands out from the mother-of-pearl background. Its almond-shaped eye and its smile were defined with a subtle level of refinement. The ornamental stones have been polished to give them a rounded surface, while the gold that encircles them has been shaped to form a rice-grain effect.

Taking its inspiration from Christian Dior‘s highly superstitious nature and his passion for astrology, the new must-have jewellery pieces are available as a medallion, bracelet or necklace, these talismans offer a new invitation to travel through the Dior’s rich heritage, by day and by night.

Bracelet DIOR Rose Céleste €1900
Necklace DIOR Rose Céleste €2000
Médaillon DIOR Rose Céleste €4500

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

On Saturday, the Street Parade took place in Zurich. The sun was shining and I enjoyed a great afternoon at the Baur au Lac hotel. The Boom-Boom au Lac party is the best way to have a front row seat at the iconic music parade while enjoying the serenity and space of the hotel’s beautiful park. Dancing with my little sister and my friends to the techno beats in a fun outfit was just amazing!

My look: Plunging neck metallic bodysuit and Candy embellished suede and leather platform sandals, both by Saint Laurent, lace flared pants by Givenchy, GG Marmont leather belt bag by Gucci, feather, crystal and bead earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford, Diorette daisy necklace and Rose des Vents bracelets in turquoise, pink, green and orange, all by Dior Joaillerie, and Amulette necklace by Cartier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Celebrate the arrival of summer time with these new limited edition bracelets by DIOR that will stand out beautifully against sun-kissed skin. Personally speaking, my temptation to stack these pieces in vibrant hues is even stronger in summer: a mish-mash of whisper-thin pieces jangling against each other on a tanned wrist evokes a holiday mood, whatever the temperature outside.

DIOR’s Rose des Vents collection is a prime example: first launched in 2015 (for a previous post, click here please), the house has cleverly come up with a constant supply of new colors and designs – first were the pretty little bracelets with lapis, pink opal, mother-of-pearl and turquoise; later the medallion-like charm was studded entirely with diamonds, rendered in various colours on long sautoir necklaces and covered with onyx.

This summer the eight-pronged star, inspired by an old maritime navigational tool, appears in three limited edition colors, pink, orange and green. I love to flip the bracelets between the plain and embellished surfaces.

On my arm are these Rose des Vents bracelets from top to bottom:
– 18k white gold, diamond and pink ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and green ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
–  18k pink gold, diamond and orange ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and turquoise (permanent collection)

The perfect way to elevate the fresh summer accessories one step up, is to paint your nails in a vibrant hue that looks particularly flattering against bronzed skin. Part of Christian Louboutin Beauty‘s limited edition «Loubiflash» collection, these mini lacquers come in the matching colors to complement Dior’s summer bracelets.
Turquoise «Dragonflash» – Orange «Crosta Meteor» – Pink «Neoprene»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Rumours were out for a long time, now it is official! In 2016, the Maison Louis Vuitton is preparing to explore new territory after 70 years: perfume.

The new 7-piece fragrance collection. Even the bottles designed by Marc Newson are on point.

While unprecedented and firmly anchored in the House’s history, this olfactory path is not unchartered territory. Quite the contrary: it is informed by the trunk-maker’s legendary fondness for the vanity cases, travel asks and fragrances stamped Louis Vuitton that were created throughout the 20th century.

Toilets accessories from a Cora case in leather, 1927

By way of an olfactory prelude, the Maison Louis Vuitton unveils its creative atelier in the heart of Grasse, in the Provence region of France; the unique background of House Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, and the palette of exclusive raw materials he has assembled since his arrival. It is an invitation to travel, a prologue to an imminent departure…

ITINERARY OF A GRASSE NATIVE

Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, Louis Vuitton Master perfumer, 2016

Named Maître Parfumeur of Louis Vuitton in 2012, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud traveled the world for four years to perfect the first collection of Louis Vuitton perfumes.

Facade of the Bastide, Les Fontaines Parfumées, Grasse

As a schoolboy in Grasse, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud would walk by an imposing portal. He had no idea what sat behind the wrought iron gates that so intrigued him. Little could he have imagined that, in 2016, this very place would become his creative workshop.

At that time, fragrance still fanned through every street and alleyway in Grasse. One only had to breathe in to know what the perfume factories were distilling that day. Orange blossom, citronella, lavender, Jacques already knew those ingredients, by heart.

Burst of May roses from Grasse

At the age of eight, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud went to his father, a perfumer, and told him he wanted to follow in his footsteps. He learned perfume notes the way other children practiced piano scales. Every evening, his father gave him perfume blotters, dipped in essence and he would have to wait until daybreak to write a detailed description in the notebooks he kept with care. When he got good grades in school, his father allowed him to weigh out formulas. The day after receiving his high school diploma, he began working in a perfume factory in Grasse, where he learned to distill flowers. At 18, he created his first formula — but his father reminded him that becoming a perfumer takes much more than mixing a few scents together…

Years later, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud proved his parent right. With the development of the Vuitton-exclusive fragrance palette, he has gone one step beyond using the latest fragrance extraction technology, of course.

Emblematic Louis Vuitton natural leather

For example, while there are existing molecules simulating the smell of leather in perfumery today, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud insisted that the Vuitton perfume workshop makes their own. Using the light beige leather that covers the handles and straps of Maison’s trunks and handbags, the exquisite scent of the Vuitton leather is extracted following complex steps of steeping in alcohol and clarification until a clear and crystalline liquid is obtained. Free of any hints of sharpness or smokiness, the end result is soft, refined and utterly Vuitton.

Extraction process of the Louis Vuitton leather infusion.

And that’s not all. Jacques Cavallier Belletrud also uses the supercritical CO2 extraction method on precious fresh flowers like the Centifolia rose and jasmine. Exclusive to Maison Louis Vuitton, this method doesn’t use any heat so as to ensure that all of the delicate flowers’ scent facets are protected and retained.

Centifolia rose from Grasse, immersed in the fountain water, Les Fontaines Parfumées, Grasse.

THE FACE

Léa Seydoux

By way of this visual prelude, the Maison Louis Vuitton unveils a first hint of the upcoming campaign: “Beyond Perfume”. French actress Léa Seydoux is the face of the new Louis Vuitton fragrances.

A COLLECTION OF SEVEN OLFACTORY EMOTIONS From the airiness of Rose des Vents to the intoxicating Turbulences, the ecstasy of a first night with Dans la Peau to the mindful immersion in nature with Apogée; from the self-revealing Contre Moi to an exploration of a darker side with Matière Noire and the explosion of the senses with Mille Feux… Les parfums Louis Vuitton describe a journey of emotions.

Les Parfums Louis Vuitton will be available from September 1st, 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

“Behind the symbol of travel, we find Christian Dior’s star and the idea of a good luck charm, but also the rose, his favourite flower.” – Victoire de Castellane

From Christian Dior’s garden at Granville to the discovery of faraway lands, with Paris’ 8th arrondissement cropping up along with way, the Rose des Vents collection from Dior Joaillerie, designed by Victoire de Castellane, is a voyage on the four winds through the House’s history. It features Christian Dior’s good-luck star and the rose, his favorite flower.

The new campaign, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, reveals a Dior woman with a natural, timeless beauty wearing the Rose des Vents creations.

This year, the medallion comes in versions with a pavé of diamonds, as well as rose gold and onyx, and has been joined by four pendants and five rings embellished with a little rope of gold that twists around the finger and follows the outline of the jewel. Being reversible, they can be worn either star or stone side out.

I love this fine jewelry collection. It is so much fun to mix and match them… and I really appreciate the craftsmanship behind that you can explore below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht