Sandra‘s Closet

Thank you, Santa, for all the fantastic presents I got this Christmas. I am truly feeling blessed. Some of the gifts were so gorgeous and fashionable that I have to share them with you.

Of course, you will see me wearing them during the next weeks and the Valentino chain link clutch just screams “Sandra”…

1 Patchwork leather envelope clutch by Chloé
2 Fabric zip laptop bag by Chanel
3 H Hobo Grande soft off-white nubuck leather bag by Hogan,
4 Wheel black pony skin loafers by Jimmy Choo

5 Limited edition clutch by Meredith Wendell for Polyvore
6 Leather pouch by Fendi
7 Horseshoe id tag with personalization by Gucci
8 ’60s inspired silk scarf “Intensity” by Dior
9 Chain link clutch by Valentino

My friend Edith has surprised me with this personalized stamp, what an awesome idea!

I just love Christmas, thank you to all for those wonderful gifts!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I went last minute Christmas shopping. For the first time in my life, I haven’t been prepared for the festive season at all. I haven’t even written one single Holiday card. (Apologies here to all who have been expecting one). The last weeks had just been so filled with projects that everything else got delayed.

Nevertheless, Sunday shopping before Christmas Eve is pure torture, especially the food department was all about panic buying. Flat shoes and comfy clothes were essential.

My look: Coat and grey washed leather Soft Stirrup, both by Gucci, loose-fit cotton-jersey top by James Perse, Renard woven-striped leather skirt by Rag & Bone, sequined Monogram wool scarf and hat, both by Louis Vuitton (a gift from my recent trip to Gstaad with Louis Vuitton, more to be posted soon) and ruffled leather ankle boots by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the third look that I wore for my shot with Swiss News magazine:

Two-tone leather baseball jacket by Balmain, Cherub-print stretch-silk mini dress by Dolce& Gabbana and studded ankle boots by Valentino.

Hope that you will like it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Carina Scheuringer and © Sandra Bauknecht

This Christmas, Harrods and Disney are celebrating a glamorous collaboration with a pop-up boutique and exciting in-store events. The exclusive 7,000 square-foot boutique is open on the Fourth Floor at Harrods until January 2012. Housing an array of Disney products, it will also include bespoke limited-edition items, collectables and show-stopping dress-up pieces.

For truly royal treatment, visit the Disney Princess Parlour dress-up area and try on iconic costumes. Plus, for £19.95, visitors will have the opportunity to have a 15 minute photographic experience against an enchanting Disney backdrop and take home mounted photographs (by appointment only).

There will also be a Cinderella Slipper Salon offering replica glitter-embellished glass limited-edition slippers, ranging from £24.95 to £34.95; with limited stock available be sure to stop by early to guarantee your purchase.

To celebrate this pink and sparkly paradise, leading fashion designers including Versace, Valentino, Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli were invited by Harrods to create a special interpretation of one of 10 Disney Princesses animating the store’s Christmas project.

An here is your exclusive first look at the beautiful gowns that will be unveiled in the famous Harrods Christmas windows on Thursday November 1, 2012. I love!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP DISNEY AT HARRODS.

LoL, Sandra

Pocahontas by Roberto Cavalli

Aurora by Elie Saab

Cinderella by Versace

Snow White by Oscar de la Renta

Belle by Valentino
Photos: Courtesy of Harrods

I would love to be a New York City Girl. Living in this vibrant city that has so much energy and that offers so many things to do, sounds too good to be true. Whenever I am there, I am truly enjoying my time. But I have to admit that I also like to come back to my very picturesque and calm Switzerland where I can always recharge my batteries before leaving for new adventures.

Those photos were taking on the terrace of Mondrian Soho‘s penthouse suite.
My look: Printed silk crepe de chine shirt by Miu Miu, Jessica flared crepe mini skirt by Stella McCartney, Rockstud ankle boots by Valentino, black leather bag by Prada, earrings by Dolce & Gabbana and cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look that I wore to the Valentino S/S 2013 show:

Silk shirt and cadillac sunglasses, both by Prada, floral-print stretch-crepe skirt by Dolce & Gabbana, PS11 Mini Classic textured-leather shoulder bag by Proenza Schouler, earrings by Chanel and Red on Red Rockstud kitten heels by Valentino.

Outside I ran into Holli Rogers, Net-à-Porter’s Buying Director, who looked absolutely stunning in her leather and brocade dress by Christopher Kane along with the patent-leather pumps by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Romantic gowns, clear accessories, Rockstud revisited and a feminine allure, Valentino‘s Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli rediscover their Roman heritage for S/S 2013. The beautiful collection looks to neo-realist Rome for inspiration.

The slip dress is the new silhouette, sensual yet elegant. Summer cotton is treated as a couture fabric and a new print on silk chiffon dresses skim the body. The 1940’s inspired shape suggests seduction with a modern twist on couture details.

“The final interpretation is left open, however: each woman’s personality is the defining trait.”

Below are my personal must-haves of the collection. To die for!

The transparent Rockstud bag and the matching raincoat along with a pair of crystal Rockstud heels will definitely make their way into my closet. The red leather coat is also on my wish list for the next summer. Stunningly beautiful.

An absolute bestseller will be those embellished plexiglass wedge heels.

My seat at Valentino was amazing. In the middle second row behind Carine Roitfeld and across from Anna Wintour. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much!

Of course, I was wearing my gorgeous limited edition Red on Red Rockstud heels. There are only a few left, don’t forget to order yours by clicking here! And stay tuned for a detailed outfit post and many many more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino, Style and © Sandra Bauknecht

This month, House of Valentino launches its new fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO created by the master perfumer Olivier Cresp.
The blend of noble ingredients creates a magical formula that comes to life on the skin and transforms it into an unmistakable and necessary final touch: a designer fragrance.

Valentina Assoluto is the first flanker on the theme of Valentina perfume from 2011. It deviates from the floral scent family of the original and offers instead an intense olfactory chypre character, “deeper and more sensual”.

Top notes: Bergamot, peach and white Alba truffle.
Middle notes: Tuberose, jasmine and vanilla.
Base notes: Cedar, oak moss and patchouli for the chypre effect.

Available as Eau de Parfum ASSOLUTO 80ml (CHF154.-) and 50ml (CHF 121.-)
Available in Switzerland end of September 2012.

Intriguing, magnetic, and unpredictable, Valentina plays with seduction as the protagonist of a story full of exciting, quintessential sensations. A mosaic of architectural views, stylistic touches, and period ornamentation. Sensual glimpses of skin and lace, body and couture.

Valentina has a favourite stage. It is Rome at night, full of secret passages for escape and the exclusive private world of brightly lit ancient aristocratic palazzos. This Eternal City full of artistic treasures has also given birth to her innate sophisticated elegance.

What would a modern Valentina wear for a night out during a weekend in Rome?

Lace and cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend sweater, cotton-blend lace skirt, jewel-clasp watersnake clutch, satin and lace pumps, all by Valentino and of course her signature fragrance Valentina ASSOLUTO.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

This late afternoon, I came back from my trip with Piaget to Paris for the 26th Biennale des Antiquaires. I had four amazing days and have so much to show you.

When I arrived at my house, a very special gift from Valentino waited for me that left me speechless: RED ON RED ROCKSTUD kitten heels designed by the house’s Creative Directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for the upcoming launch of the ultimate on-line shoe shopping experience, SHOE ROOM. Stay tuned as I will keep you posted once it is live.

I will be leaving tomorrow for London Fashion Week and those beauties will definitely be in my suitcase. Thank you, Valentino, for letting me be part of this awesome project!
I love my new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The hype started two years ago, when Valentino designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, presented their first Rockstud heels. For the designer duo, contrast is the essence of contemporary life. Their stylistic approach, however, aims at blending antithetical elements – for example, Valentino’s proverbial grace and bold metal studs – in a distinct, timeless image. This season, the fashion house celebrates the new classic with the Noir capsule collection of Rockstud shoes, bags and accessories in edgy black with ruthenium studs. Rock on with this clean yet strongly evocative design.

I am convinced that the streets during Fashion Week will be filled with those new icons. Fashionistas everywhere, better start hoarding these limited edition pieces and see the dark side of the stud!

To shop, click on the highlighted product descriptions below.

LoL, Sandra

Rockstud leather tote

So Noir studded leather tote

65mm Rockstud patent So Noir pumps

Studded cuff

Studded So Noir ballet flats

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino