Sandra‘s Closet

My trip to Qatar surpassed all expectations. Doha has reminded me a lot of Dubai 10 years ago, even better, modern and of course, full of luxury. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, all eyes are on Middle East’s new hot spot as the Qatari will host a large number of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to the British Telegraph, Qatar has the second highest income per capita in the world and you can see it everywhere.

On the first day of the year, I went shopping at Doha’s Villagio Mall, which was overly impressive. Reminiscent of the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian in Las Vegas, the mall has got a changing sky that gives shoppers the feeling of being outside and a canal that runs through the center of the mall with gondola rides for guests. Every designer brand you can think of is represented, such as Bottega Veneta, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Montblanc among others. There is even an amusement park in the mall.

See for yourselves:

My look: Mathilda tuxedo jacket by Stella McCartney, green tee by Ralph Lauren Blue Label, top by Missoni, skinny mid-rise jeans by Rag & Bone Jean, sandals by Gucci, Alice two-tone bag by Chloé, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, necklace by Roberto Cavalli and 4810 hoop earrings by Montblanc.

Stay tuned for one last post from Doha about The Pearl.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Saturday, I flew to Venice for the launch event of Gucci Première, the house’s new fragrance legend. Gucci Parfums revealed its new scent during a private cocktail and dinner held at the Hotel Cipriani in the presence of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Gucci President and CEO Patrizio di Marco, the face of the new fragrance campaign Blake Lively, the film director Nicolas Winding Refn and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola.

At the cocktail reception from left to right: Me, Michaela Stein (P&G Prestige), Regina Stahl (German Vogue), Gabi Hässig (P&G Prestige) and Tania Messner (Cover)

Blake Lively, star of the new fragrance Gucci Première, made quite an entrance during the event in Venice. The American beauty arrived by boat, welcomed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
Here, a look at the fashion and the fragrance:

Blake Lively wore a Gucci One of a kind sleeveless deep V-neck cocktail dress, fully embroidered with cherry overlapping palettes and raised flower detail around the neckline, burgundy python high heel sandal with metallic spike detail in the back, horsebit bracelet and ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds and horsebit cocktail ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds.

Salma Hayek-Pinault wore a Gucci F/W 2012 black chiffon long sleeved cocktail dress with jet beaded bodice and all over embroidered skirt.

Nicolas Winding Refn wore a Gucci midnight blue notch lapel two button Marseille suit with white dress shirt, blue grosgrain tie and black leather lace ups.

Frida Giannini wore a Gucci One of kind silver and gunmetal degrade sleeveless v-neck grey silk crepe cocktail dress with art deco graphic beading and black diamond crystals, and grey suede peep toe sandals.

Karmen Pedaru wore a Gucci F/W 2012 burgundy georgette silk sleeveless blouse, black velvet wrap skirt, and black suede high heeled sandal.

Style icon Blake Lively, who appeared in 2011 on TIME magazine’s TIME 100 list, is the face of the Gucci Première and transports the Hollywood glamour perfectly. Her speech was very lively in the true sense of the word.

François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR, framed by Blake Lively to the left and his wife Salma Hayek-Pinault to the right.

President and Chief Executive Officer Gucci Patrizio di Marco and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola

Before the dinner, during the cocktail reception, the fragrance and campaign were revealed to the editors and guests.

I was sitting right behind Frida Giannini who looked so beautiful in her One of a kind Gucci gown.

Frida Giannini says about the new fragrance: “Gucci Première is womanly, intriguing and as seductive as the perfect couture gown.”

The Gucci Première couture gown worn by Blake Lively in the campaign was on display at the event.

Gucci Première is a sophisticated wood and musk composition. The inspiration derives from the Gucci Première couture collection that debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival (for a previous post, click here please).

During the cocktail, Nicolas Winding Refn presented his short film which was shot at the famous Sheats Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles.

The atmosphere at the beautiful dinner was amazing. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures during the dinner because Blake Lively’s boyfriend, Ryan Reynolds, who was there also that night, didn’t want any to be taken of him.

Frida Giannini with me

For the outfit post, please click here.

It was such a beautiful event and I felt very honoured to be part of it. Personally speaking, I like Gucci Première a lot. It is in stores now, here are more details:

Top notes: Bergamot and orange blossom
Middle notes: White flowers and musk
Base notes: Leather and wood
Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml, 50ml and 75ml
Body Lotion 200ml, Shower Gel 200ml and Deo Spray 100ml

Stay tuned for an amazing interview I did with Blake Lively! To be posted very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days I have been travelling like crazy and I have so many exciting things to share with you. Here is a little teaser of what is coming up. On Saturday evening, I went to the launch event of Gucci Première, the Italian house’s new fragrance for women, at the famous Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Present at the exclusive dinner were also the face of the campaign, Blake Lively, with her boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, and of course Frida Giannini, Creative Director of Gucci, Salma Hayek and her husband François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR.

As Gucci Première is inspired by timeless Hollywood glamour, I chose this black and gold outfit matching the colour scheme of the fragrance:
Metallic-striped fringed leather dress, “Kelly” black and gold suede sandals, “Hysteria” patent leather clutch and belted suede leather jacket, all by Gucci from different seasons. Earrings by Chanel from the Paris – Bombay collection and Twenties fishnet stay-ups in black by Wolford. On my nails: “Smoke Red” by Tom Ford.

Stay tuned for photos of the dinner, more information on the fragrance and an amazing interview with Blake Lively.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, I can tell you very exciting news for all fragrance aficionados and Chanel lovers among you: COCO NOIR is here, Chanel’s newest fragrance. The famous French house didn’t want any information to go public before and journalists and bloggers had to sign a press embargo not to post the information earlier.

COCO NOIR is the third fragrance named after house founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, joining Coco (1984) and Coco Mademoiselle (2001). Created by Chanel’s master perfumer Jacques Polge, it represents Coco Chanel’s love of the “dazzle of black and Venice”.

1936 – Gabrielle Chanel on Roussy Sert’s yatch in front of the Lido of Venice

Jacques Polge on his creative process: “For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of CHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.”

Top Notes: Grapefruit note and Calabrian Bergamot
Middle Notes: Essence and Absolute of Rose, Absolute of Jasmin, Narcissus Note and Rose Geranium Leaf
Base Notes: Brazilian and Venezuelan Tonka Bean, Indonesian Patchouli, New Caledonian Sandalwood, Bourbon Vanilla and White Musk

Available in 50 ml (CHF 146.-) and 100 ml (CHF 210.-). In Switzerland from August 20, 2012.

COCO NOIR has an “animal sensuality – a great nocturnal Baroque”. The perfect scent for the next season to finish off you opulent winter looks. If you like oriental fragrances, this will definitely be something for you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: V.H. Grandpierre © All Rights Reserved / Courtesy of Vogue Paris, Courtesy of CHANEL – Julien Claessens et Thomas Deschamps

In Venice, we stayed at the Palazzina Grassi. A design hotel, situated on the Grand Canal, with an atmosphere full of charm and vitality, steeped in history, where you can experience the melancholy grandeur of Venice like true Venetians. Privacy, flexibility, luxury and elegance are the fundamental elements of this exclusive property, designed by Philippe Starck.

The 21 rooms and six suite apartments are characterized by a marriage of contemporary and romantic design, highlighted by unique furnishings, glass works by the French artist Aristide Najean and sophisticated collector’s items, with some rooms offering glimpses of the lagoon landscape. 
Adorned with many mirrors, the rooms appear much bigger than they are.

My look for the first night in Venice: Dress with tropical print and matching clutch by Matthew Williamson, suede pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and watch by Roger Dubuis.

Tropical and hawaiian prints are a huge trend for Cruise 2012 and can be found at Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Givenchy among others.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Photo: © Markus Kehl

This was my look for the “40 years, 40 hours” party in Venice: Overall, bustier and hat by Tom Ford, clutch bag by Chloé, pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, ring by Roberto Cavalli, watch by Roger Dubuis, earrings and necklace by Prada.

This night was truly outstanding with amazing food by Käfer (which means in German “bug” and we got some real insects as an entrée … just for fun to scare the ladies), live performances by different artists like the famous mentalist Jan Becker and a real tiger in the garden that we could pet. We danced until dawn and I cannot wait to celebrate “80 years, 80 hours”!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

My new fashion column for the SI Style magazine is available now. This time, I am telling you about an amazing trip in September to Venice for the birthday party of a very dear friend. The motto “40 years, 40 hours” was to be taken literally. Below you will find some photos of the beginning of the weekend. The host had chartered an aircraft for all his friends so that the party started already on the flight. More photos of the night which felt like a scene from the movie “Eyes Wide Shut”, the hotel and more to be posted soon! It was definitely the best party ever!

My comfy travel outfit: A cozy overall, scarf, bag and wedges (see photos below) by Bottega Veneta, necklace and bangles by Chanel, watch by Roger Dubuis.

Venice is always worth to travel to…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht