Sandra‘s Closet

Can you imagine that Sandra’s Closet is turning 6 today?! This is my 2766th posts – I still cannot believe the amazing journey I went on for the last six years as a blogger.

My first post on November 23, 2009: The Birkin Bag

Fashionable encounters, exciting moments, traveling the world, I met so many interesting people, celebrities and fashion designers and I truly enjoyed every single bit of it! Therefore I would like to thank all of you who follow my adventures –  without you, my dear subscribers and avid readers, this wouldn’t have been possible.

Parallel to the launch of my blog in 2009, SI Style Magazine featured me on six pages which was the perfect kick off for Sandra’s Closet!

To many more years and posts to come!

LoL, Sandra

To many more years and posts to come!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via SI STYLE

For those who have missed it or don’t have the chance to watch Swiss television, here is my first Spotlight show that was presented Saturday one week ago. The episode is all about my favorite places in Paris. Enjoy!

And don’t forget to like Spotlight on FACEBOOK! Your support would be extremely appreciated – a huge thank you in advance!

LoL, Sandra

Great news and another reason why I had been so busy during the last weeks. Last Saturday, «Spotlight», the new lifestyle magazine on TeleZüri, presented its first show from “Zermatt Unplugged“ in Valais, the well-known music festival, with top artists, like James Blunt and Patricia Kaas. The focus of the new format is to cover the most important events and personalities from the fields of food, travel, beauty, fashion, kids and business, a well as impressive success stories and shopping, cultural and party tips.

Together with Zoe Torinesi and Dilan Anja Gropengiesser, I am one of the presenters and will take you with me on the most dazzling journeys around the globe, featuring the best stories about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Tonight at 7.45 pm (CEST) you can see me for the first time in action (two hourly repeat). In my first show, you will get to know some of my favorite spots in the fashion capital of Paris and explore the newest fashion trends for S/S 2015. Here are some behind the scene photos for you to get an idea of what to expect…

The programs extensive background information and selected highlights such as live concert broadcasts are also available online at Spotlight.vison.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Johannes Diboky and © Sandra Bauknecht and via Schweizer Illustrierte

My avid readers might have wondered about my lack of posting. Usually, I blog on a daily base but I have been offline for five days. The reason was my birthday, I turned 40 last week. Friends have asked me why I share this number and my answer is that there is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. I have been on this planet for over 40 years. I am happier than ever and achieved all the milestones in my life that I had set for myself. I have travelled the world and enjoyed life most of the time to the fullest. Now I am ready for the real fun…

40 has a lot of beauty and I will explain you why. In comparison to a younger age, I  am no longer taking decisions based on what I am supposed to do. I am making them based on what is right for me which is so liberating. I know that all social media channels don’t show the real world. If you still think that people are all so confident living their perfect lives, you might be mistaken. Most of them are just as screwed up as everyone else.

My longtime friends who visited me from all over told me this weekend that they admire my consistency through all these years they have known me. True, I have never lost the my zest for life, I always stayed true to myself. In my high school book, I found a quote of mine: “Be yourself, no matter what they say.” This has been a common thread. If it made me happy, I would never cared about other people’s opinion, which goes most importantly for my way of dressing.

I still like getting silly and I have always loved dancing like no one is watching or like everyone is watching. I like the attention. One thing that has definitely changed is that I never feel guilty again, more like a teenager, but less loud. You I know that there is always a plan B and that is is indispensable to get rid of the toxic people in your life.

I am thankful for the amazing people that surround me and I never forget to tell them how much I love them. I had an unforgettable birthday and I would like to thank everyone who made it so special.

Below you will find my different stages in life. Why? Because they are fun to look at!

1981: Being in first grade… a happy 6 year old Sandra.

1994: Having my own band and being on tour with the Backstreet Boys. I was 19 and had just finished school.

1997: My first trip to Hong Kong. Blond and ready to see life at the age of 22.

2004: Before my 30th birthday and before moving from Chicago to Zurich I did this cover shoot.

2013: Finally back to my natural hair color that you appreciate at the age of 38.

2015: And that is me one week ago, a selfie in bed. 40 and I personally think that I look better than I did at 20.

To life and its beauty!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Christian Dietrich (2013)
And a huge thank you to the Park Hyatt Zurich team for the amazing picture to my birthday! I love u guys!

Greetings from Bangkok – At the IRO Event in Zurich – Spring Fever

Today, I would like to share with you my favorite outfits of 2014 and hope that you will enjoy this little retrospective as much as I did putting it together. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world. To a fabulous 2015, wishing you once more only the best!

Thanks for following with all my heart!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2014: Birthday Girl

Elegance with a Dash of Daring – Winter Palette – Sense on the Edge

Place Vendôme – Animal Print – At Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market

New Year’s Eve at Ku Dé Ta – Happy New Year from Bangkok

FEBRUARY 2014: Purple Rain

This is How I Vegas – On My Way to Las Vegas – Casual Luxe

A Cool Spin on Classic Pinstripe – The 80’s Are Back

MARCH 2014: Bluetiful

Venice Beach – Essentials – Sass and Class

Edgy – Wishing Upon a Star – High Glam

APRIL 2014: Lace to the Spirit Awards

Art Filled & Feminine – A Trip to Rheinfelden – Coins and Dots

MAY 2014: Dancing on Mulholland Drive

Dots, Stripes and Diamonds – Fast Fashion – Good Girl

On the Red Carpet in Cannes – Tory Burch Munich Shop Opening – Dressing in Black and White

Vampires Everywhere – Hollywood Hills – So Fresh!

JUNE 2014: Sports Couture

Bohemian Rhapsody – Comfy Flying – Greetings from Villa d’Este in Como

Greetings from Paris – Sunset Party at Phi Beach – Greetings from Sardinia

JULY 2014: There Is Something About Mary

Berlin Fashion Week – Mix Master – Beautiful the Neutral…

Believe in Love – Floral Femme – Show Your Undies

Shopping in Paris – Party Time in Marrakesh – One Thousand and One Nights

AUGUST 2014: A Night of Asian Delight

Zoofäscht 2014 – Berlin East Side Gallery – Summer Rain

Missoni Chill – Pleat – A Summer Treat

SEPTEMBER 2014: Wild Flower

Femme Fatale – A Sparkling Good Time – You Have My Whole Heart

Statement Piece – Love Story Chloé – Fresh Perspective

Knitwear Dressing – Happy – My Little Sunshine

OCTOBER 2014: Into the Wild

Paris Fashion Week – Last Day – The Jacket Bag – Bleecker Street

Tribal – Graphic Stripes – Leather Rebel

Get High Like Planes – Sporting Alexander Wang x H&M

NOVEMBER 2014: Luxe Layering

Glitz and Glam – Working Girl in Milan – Shock Everyone.

Walk This Way – Monster Choupette – Milan

Cool Party – Barbie Girl – Greetings from Barcelona

DECEMBER 2014: Clash of the Tartans

Perfect Parka Power – Colourful Shearling – Wherever You Go

Wear It Well – Howdy – Tropical Vacation

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

OMG! This week had been so busy, that I have almost forgotten a very special day. On November 23, five years ago, the probably biggest adventure of my life has started, I published my first post and Sandra’s Closet was born. I am so grateful for all the amazing things that have happened since then. I travelled to the most distinguished places, met many celebrities and fashion designers (click here to see most of them) and appeared in many publications (check out the press section here).

Below I put together some of my personal highlights over the last five years:

Being the face of the Closed F/W 2011 campaign.

Walking a runway show during New York Fashion Week F/W 2012.

I designed this limited edition “Zurich” tee in collaboration with Closed.

The launch of Sandra Berry, my very own bespoke limited edition ink by Montblanc.

I went with Montblanc for the ultimate Oscar experience to Los Angeles in February 2013.

I became the ambassador for Piaget.

Being at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles with Piaget was an amazing experience.

In August 2013, we shot a fun social media campaign with MCM in Berlin to celebrate the limited edition collection: Craig & Karl – EYES ON THE HORIZON.

I hosted a fun event with MCM to celebrate the launch of their new backpacks in November 2013 in Zurich.

In December 2013, I hosted the Goldenized event at Patrizia Pepe‘s Zurich store.

Before becoming the editor in chief of L’Officiel Switzerland, I had for three years, from 2011-2014, a monthly column in SI Style magazine.

Being invited by Omega for a dinner with George Clooney in Shanghai in May 2014 (post coming up soon).

Hosting a lunch with IWC and star guest top model Karolina Kurkova during the Zurich Film Festival 2014 (post coming up soon).

Being an ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger’s BHI campaign in October 2014 made me very proud.

Designing a Samsung tablet during the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2014 that we will be raffled off soon here on my blog was an extremely fun project.

And last but not least something I am really proud of: I am in a book that was launched recently in German during Berlin Fashion Week and in English during London Fashion Week (a detailed post will be published shortly). Fashion Germany, the new coffee-table 208-page tome presents the country’s most important people in the world of fashion.

My blog has taken me on such a beautiful adventure and I would like to thank you all for following me and supporting my work. Without you, the success wouldn’t have been possible. Stay tuned during the next weeks as some amazing raffles will be coming up to thank you for all your time that you are spending on Sandra’s Closet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © David Biedert Photography, © Christoph Schemel and © Sandra Bauknecht

I have to admit that this is not a very modest post. Seeing this huge article in last week’s Gala magazine made me just very happy and I wanted to share my happiness with you. A few weeks ago they had already named me among the most important bloggers and a style icon… for those who haven’t seen it, here you go:

GALA N°26/2014

GALA N°22/2014

A huge thank you to the whole Gala team for those amazing features!

LoL, Sandra

In general on the last day of the year, I get very emotional and melancholic. I like to recall the past 12 months and remember the best moments. 2013 has been an exciting but also a very challenging year for me. A year that has taught me a lot and brought me many magic adventures that I shared with you.

For this year’s last post, I chose my favorite outfits of 2013 and hope that you will enjoy this little retrospective as much as I did putting it together. 12 months, versatile looks, shot in many different places in the world.

To a fabulous 2014, wishing you all a fantastic New Year’s Eve and only the best!
Thanks for following with all my heart!

LoL, Sandra

JANUARY 2013: Persian Dinner at Parisa in DOHA

New Year’s Eve in DOHA – Sunday Night in MILAN – Annabelle Prix de Beauté 2013 in ZURICH

FEBRUARY 2013: At the Montblanc Charity Brunch in LOS ANGELES

Greetings from KITZBUEHEL in AUSTRIA – With Dior at Pin-up Studios in PARIS – First Night with Montblanc in LOS ANGELES

MARCH 2013: At Omega’s La Nuit Enchantée in VIENNA

Stripes and Florals in LOS ANGELES – At the Valentino F/W 2013 Show in PARIS – Fashion’s Night Out in ZURICH

APRIL 2013: Tribute to Photography Night in ST. MORITZ

At the Rodial Beautiful Awards in LONDON – One Sunny Day in STOCKHOLM – Crazy for Braids and Biker Jackets

MAY 2013: Radiant Day in ZURICH

Trending in My Town – MCM Store Opening in ZURICH – MCM Shoot Part 1

JUNE 2013: At the Gucci Museo in FLORENCE

Boat Party in CANNES – Off to FLORENCE – Firenze4Ever Summer Festival

JULY 2013: The Shorts Story HONG KONG

Vermillion in SANYA – Pagoda Style in LIJIANG – SHANGHAI Bund

AUGUST 2013: Rive Gauche Summer Party in ZURICH

Hiking in ICELAND – City Girl – A Lovely Wedding

SEPTEMBER 2013: NYFW

Bamboo Obsession – NEW YORK Fashion Week – Feather Girl

OCTOBER 2013: PARIS

Infinity Jewelry – I Love LONDON – Love Pink

NOVEMBER 2013: La Vie en Rose

Driven by Something – Vermeer Meets Valentino in PARIS – Plaid Factor

DECEMBER 2013: It’s a Plaid, Plaid World

A Byzantine Moment – Amazing Grace – A Sunny Day in GSTAAD

Collages and photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have some very big personal news that I am very proud to share with you. I am appointed Editor-in-Chief of L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND, for both, the French and German editions of the publication. The magazine is launching in March 2014. And no worries, Sandra’s Closet will still exist, I will be wearing “two hats” so to say and will keep you posted with fashion and lifestyle news from all over the world.

Personally speaking, I am very much looking forward to my new challenge. L’OFFICIEL is at the top range of international fashion magazines and I am very excited to launch its Swiss edition with the local team. It will allow for an interesting balance between the precision and beauty of print and the speed of online fashion reporting through my blog.

The team include a strong mix of national and international talents:

I will keep you posted on all future developments and hope that you will enjoy the first edition of L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND in March 2014.

LoL, Sandra

The recent October 2013 edition of the Swiss magazine WOMEN IN BUSINESS features a new layout and a great article about 40 young and successful women under 40. I feel very honoured to be named with my blog among them.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS is bringing their mostly female readers a comprehensive view of business, lifestyle, culture and politics, month after month, keeping them on top of the latest news and events across multiple industries, while highlighting female leaders in their respective fields. A great read!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Portrait: © Carina Scheuringer