Sandra‘s Closet

When I spotted these limited edition vanity cases filled with the most amazing products, I knew I had arrived in beauty heaven. The only problem is that those Selfridges exclusives are only available for UK shipping only or in store which means I have to find an angel who will bring me one of those boxes to Switzerland.

The Tom Ford Beauty Trousseau showcases a collection of transforming tools and products from sumptuous colours for lips, eyes and cheeks to complexion perfecting makeup, plus the essential makeup brushes to create a captivating, sensuous Tom Ford look. Discover the ultimate indulgence this Christmas and personalize your own makeup vault.

In honour of the brand’s 20 year anniversary, The Vault from NARS includes a stunning collection of lip and nail colours personally chosen by François Nars. A unique gift; each of the colours in this special edit were specifically chosen for their strength, character and timeless appeal. In Switzerland available at Jelmoli for CHF 590.00.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté is bringing a couture touch to your fingertips this Christmas season with the lavish limited edition La Laque Couture Colour Collection. Comprising the entire collection of La Laque Couture nail polish in one luxurious black acrylic box, it features 24 iconic YSL shades. One for each mood and outfit, now you can change your enamel as often as you change your handbag or shoes.

Welcome to the Ciaté Nail Lab, the ultimate at home nail studio. Create your own glitter combination and mix with clear Suspension Top coat for classic glitter polish finish or roll your wet nail into the glitter blend for a textured look. Also included are six of Ciaté London’s iconic highly pigmented professional crème shades with a super-blendable formula, allowing you to direct your own nail look by mixing custom-made nail colour. You’ll find the essential elements to help you create and master pro nail looks, including dotting tool, ombré sponge and striping brush. Crown your creation by giving it its own name using the enclosed nametags, perfect for creating a special gift.

Step into the splendour of the holiday season with a colour-filled countdown. Be swept away with this extravagant 24 piece mini nail collection, hidden behind each window of this fairy-tale worthy gift set. The perfect slice of nostalgia this holiday time! Ciaté’s Mini Mani Manor advent calendar includes 17 of Ciaté’s most popular shades including Mistress, Amazing Gracie and Cupcake Queen, five exclusive textured polishes, one exclusive full size Paint Pot and one set of festive nail transfers. Mini Mani Manor comes in three different variations; which one will you discover? Step inside the wonderful Mini Mani Manor and start your Christmas with Ciaté!

If you cannot make it to London on time, I recommend this exclusive Net-à-Porter holiday kit including 14 of the online giant’s favorite must-have skincare, makeup and hair products that can be shipped internationally to your doorstep. This luxurious set makes the perfect gift for beauty enthusiasts or the friend who has everything.

Aren’t all those sets to die for? Which one is your favorite?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, © Selfridges and © Net-à-porter

Starting from today, I would like to make the run up to Christmas even more exciting with my fashion advent calendar. Each day, I will show you something special that might be a great gift for you or your beloved ones. For all fashionistas that found opening their chocolate-filled advent calendar this morning a little disappointing. Let’s make the festive season even more sparkling…Yes, December 1st has arrived!

Have a look at this cute Miniature Barbie Shoes Set by Christian Louboutin. In 2009/2010, the three limited edition dolls were introduced (just click on the photos below for the previous posts), this December you can add some accessories! Available among other stores at Selfridges (please click on the tiny pic above to be transfered directly).

LoL, Sandra

In case you will make it to London this weekend for a Valentino for Gap shopping tour, I recommend a visit to the neighbourhood on Oxford Street, meaning the Wonder Room at Selfridges. There you can get the first ever insight into the inner life of a superluxury handbag, you can literally crawl into a giant Kelly bag.

Sounds like heaven for all Hermès lovers or like some weird Alice in Wonderland scenario.
No worries, you do not need to drink from a bottle marked “drink me”! Once inside you can sit in a booth while watching a film of its owner’s journey and feel the motion of the bag as it moves.

The monster bag is made exactly like a regular-size one and was first introduced at Brown Thomas in Dublin in the beginning of November to promote the Marvel Room, a showcase of exclusive limited pieces at the famous Irish department store.

The Kellydoscope can be admired in London until the 30th of November. What a fun interactive experience!

LoL, Sandra

Ladies, it is official, there is a shoe heaven on earth, located at London’s department store Selfridges. The world’s largest shoe department opens its doors officially today.
Designed by world class architect Jamie Forbet, it is bigger than the huge ground floor of London’s Tate Modern.

Here some of the unbelievable facts:

-55000 shoes in stock at any one time

-4000 shoes on display

-150 international brands

-6 unique shoe galleries

-11 beautiful boutiques

-1 hanging garden

-1 restaurant located in between (hubby parking space)

A special preview party was held last week for an exclusive crowd to peruse the new space. Look at all those sweet treats in shoe shapes, so adorable!

Selfridges’ Director of Accessories Sebastian Manes describes it perfectly: „Imagine you are in a gallery. From the entrance you see a succession of doorways, and at the end a huge window flooding the space with daylight. Your journey begins at the front, with shoes from the best of the high street. Slowly you begin to travel through different galleries until you reach the end – the couture designer gallery, flanked by Chanel and Louboutin, and a vision of Eden – the new suspended garden at Selfridges. Shoe heaven!”

Unfortunately, they do not sell a lot of their brands online yet. So you will have to go on a little shopping trip to the British capital.
But here comes the best: You can say that you went through all the galleries. Imagine how impressed your art loving and intellectual girlfriends will be!

LoL, Sandra

Vending machines selling luxury goods seem to be on the rise. Katie Grand, editor-in-chief of LOVE magazine has teamed up with Selfridges to create such a machine for the beginning of London Fashion Week until October 15th. The new retail concept can be found in the lobby of London’s It-hotel St Martin’s Lane where many editors, models and buyers are staying at the moment.

You can get a lot of fantastic items, some highly exclusive, let me name a few:

-Falabella bag by Stella McCartney

-leather and sequined dress by Alexander Wang

-draped dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania

-a unique pair of trainers by Rick Owens customized by Chrome Hearts with solid silver hardware

-Amazona handbag by Loewe

-limited Dior nail polishes

-Mimosa candles by Diptyque exclusive to Selfridges in yellow

–Falke’s new „secret socks“ for men

-a vintage Rolex watch

-embossed leather wallets by Comme des Garçons

-clutch purses by Mulberry

A word to the wise, do not get drunk in the hotel bar, you might lose control and this could end on the way to your room passing the LOVE machine in a financial disaster.

LoL, Sandra

This for all serious Ford devotees: The Private Blend Lip Colour collection by Tom Ford consisiting of 12 flattering colours. The formula contains moisturizing Brazilian murumuru butter, chamomilla flower oil and soja seed – very creamy and easy to apply.
The chic cases in ivory with gold accents are just as sexy as the man himself. The price is exceptional: $45.-/ £35.-/ CHF 68.-.

British Vogue introduced the new beauty must-haves with a special event at Selfridges, London on Thursday night. The best-selling shades were “Cherry Lush” , a classic glowing red, and “Pure Pink”, a juicy fuchsia. From today, the lipsticks are exclusively available at Selfridges. Call the Customer Services team on 0800 123 400 for international delivery. The collection will reach the rest of Europe in May and cross the pond on June 1st.

Me with two of my idols: Tina Turner and Tom Ford.

Rumors were out since a long time but now it is definitely no secret that Tom Ford is making a foray into womenswear. He will be designing his own line for ladies that is likely to launch over the next year.
Getting excited like me? No worries, I will keep you posted. Thank God we have a Tom Ford store in Zurich!

LoL, Sandra