Sandra‘s Closet

Last month, I took the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Vienna as guest of Louis Vuitton. Once I arrived in the Austrian capital, I visited the new Maison’s new store that has relocated to an expanded space on Graben in the heart of the city. Occupying four floors of a historic building, this new store presents the Louis Vuitton universe within a beautiful Viennese backdrop.

The store is the latest realisation of the design concept developed by Peter Marino for locations such as New Bond Street, Los Angeles and Ginza. Among the largest in Europe, it benefits from Vienna’s status as a dynamic cultural destination and a nexus for travel.

Designed by Max Kröpf, Oskar Laske and Viktor Fiala, the building dates to 1898-99. Its listed façade is ornamented with reliefs depicting long-distance trade and coats of arms from such cities as Hamburg, Trieste and London.

A spacious layout showcases the full Louis Vuitton offer and Peter Marino signatures, including striking art, objects and furniture that correspond with the design heritage of Vienna. Defined by curving walls and open sightlines, the store is organised around an exceptional staircase that unfurls with floating steps in four tonal varieties of stone. At once sculptural and a means of circulation, it is juxtaposed with a statement wall, panelled in commissioned works by well-known Austrian artist, Erwin Wurm. Bright and graphic, the eight paintings are composed of abstracted words: Form, Love, Body, Beauty and more.

As the history of Vienna is inextricably linked to its progressive movements in art and design, both figure significantly in the store’s expression. Notably, a pyramid of trunks has been hand-painted in the spirit of Gustav Klimt and other artists of the Vienna Secession. Vintage extends to contemporary – from an Alvar Aalto daybed and a Carl Malmsten modular sofa to Matt Gagnon’s Custom Light Stacks and Fernando Daza’s Four Intercepted Circles. With its flower-shaped bubbles, Atelier Biagetti’s Flower Tower lamp stands as a glass totem at once decorative and whimsical.

If you are in Vienna, this new store is a must-see, not only for the things to shop, but for its design!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / © Louis Vuitton 
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Once a year, the Wiener Staatsoper turns into the world’s most beautiful and elegant ball room for the Vienna Opera Ball: a glamorous gala of unique splendour and allure, the ball of all balls, much-copied around the world. It had been on my bucket list since a long time, it is something you should have experienced once in your life.

My dear friend Ljuba Manz invited me for this spectacular night where around 300 debutantes make their dream come true and dance the first polonaise on this unique ballroom floor. After that, it’s Alles Walzer or “Let the waltz begin!“. For more information about the history and the strict dress code, click here for a previous post.

My look: Glen sleeved embroidered dress by Temperley London, cropped shearling jacket with mink and embellishments and Saffiano double handle mini satchel, both by Prada, leather platform pumps by Gucci, diamond ring and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring by Piaget and Tonda 1950 clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

Music and dance all over the opera building, sumptious floral decorations, ladies in elaborate gowns, and gentlemen in elegant tailcoats, made the Vienna Opera Ball an unforgettable event for me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Some of the photos were taken before the gala at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Vienna.

SUSANNE KAUFMANN comes from Austria‘s beautiful Alpine valley, the Bregenz Forest, where knowledge of the healing powers of nature is passed down from generation to generation. From an early age, she was fascinated by the idea of creating a holistic skincare range inspired by the intensive and effective properties of the Alpine plant world. She began fulfilling her dream at a very special place: the Susanne Kaufmann Spa at the Hotel Post Bezau. Together with a team of pharmacists and dermatologists she developed result-driven products for spa treatments followed by the launch of SUSANNE KAUFMANN ORGANIC TREATS which now encompasses more than 60 functional products, in Switzerland available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich. Today, she gives us some amazing travel tips for her home country AUSTRIA.

Your favourite city / region?
The BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest)- it is very traditionel but the local people are very open-minded. Besides that the air smells like perfume.

Your favourite hotel?
In Austria I really like the RITZ-CARLTON in Vienna. Within the four 19th-century palaces the hotel now calls home, you get a very authentic feel of the city known for its beauty and culture.
Schubertring 5-7, 1010 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 31188

Your favourite spa?
Definitely our SUSANNE KAUFMANN SPA in Bezau. It stands for everything I love, a place of beauty, relaxation, and holistic well-being.
Brugg 35, 6870 Bezau, Phone: +43 5514 22070

Your favourite restaurant?
STEIERECK in Vienna – they have an exquisite cuisine and a concept that reflects my belief in high quality ingredientes and local products.
Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 7133168

Your favorite local dish?
WIENER SCHNITZEL with POTATO SALAD.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
It‘s definitely the WERKHAUSRAUM in Andelsbuch, designed by architect Peter Zumthor, is a distinctive mark in the Bregenzerwald and highlights the culture of craftsmanship and artisanal work.

Your favourite park?
The whole BREGENZERWALD (Bregenz Forest) is like a huge park with wild animals and a beautiful fauna and flora.

Your favourite shop?
ROOM SERVICE CONCEPT STORE and SAGMEISTER.
I really like these two shops for their exclusive selection and personal touch.

Your must-have accessory?
Besides a good skin condition, my SMYTHSON CALENDAR.

The best soundtrack for this destination?
I’ve been passionate about music since childhood. Luckily my husband, Alfred Vogel, is Jazz musician and brings year by year wonderful artists to BEZAU BEATS in Austria.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
OSKAR LEO KAUFMANN: 69 PROJEKTE 2012–1996 – my brother recently gave me his book. You can see how the architecture in the Bregenzerwald has shaped the landscape.

TO SHOP SUSANNE KAUFMANN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Thank you, Susanne, for sharing your insider scoop on Austria with us!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Susanne Kaufmann, the different locations and Voralberg Tourismus

Greetings from beautiful and very cold Vienna where I spent the last days and attended the famous opera ball. More coming up soon… here you see me strolling through the city in some of my favorite pieces since many seasons on my way to the Sacher hotel for some culinary Austrian treats such as Viennese Schnitzel and the famous Sacher cake.

My look: Belted shearling coat, floral-appliqué striped wool-blend cardigan, and scarf, all by Gucci, dress with leather and lace appliqué by Saint Laurent, Rockstud leather-trimmed knee boots by Valentino, «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag by Chanel, T Wire Narrow 18-karat rose gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co, and Tonda 1950 Galaxy by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The legendary Vienna Opera Ball, that started in 1877 under Emperor Francis Joseph, is considered as the highlight of the social calendar in the Austrian capital and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the carnival season. The city of waltzes celebrates more than 450 balls each year but as far as glamour goes, the Vienna Opera Ball is up there with the BAFTAs and the Met Ball. For the event, the State Opera is transformed into the most festive, imposing and high-profile ballroom in the world where important politicians, entrepreneurs, royals, artists, and well-known celebrities from all over the world dance the night away.

 Each year, around 5.500 guests attend. Renowned designers are regularly involved in running the show: this year, Dolce & Gabbana designed the tiara for the around 300 debutantes, that will kick off the Opera ball. After they have finished, the master of ceremony announces: Alles Walzer! (All waltz!). When you hear this and Johann Strauss’ waltz «On The Beautiful Blue Danube», you know that you are allowed to enter the dance floor.

Nevertheless when it comes to the dress code, there is a huge difference. It is much stricter and more old-fashioned than compared to other galas.

The following dress code applies to the Vienna Opera
Ladies: Long Evening Gown
Gentlemen: Tailcoat

What sounds simple at first, is associated with some pitfalls, because if you do not follow the dress code, the access to the ball will be denied.

For the ladies:

long gown (at least ankle length)
no cocktail dress
wide skirt – no body-con dresses (very important)
cleavage: not too deep
no wristwatch – only a jewelry watch

For the men:

tailcoat (elegant evening suit with waist-short jacket and «swallowtail»)
no tuxedo, no simple suit
no tie
«Mascherl» bow tie (white)

I am so excited to attend this amazing event on the 8th of February this year and will practice my Vienna waltz dancing skills. Therefore I need a gown in which I will be able to move and which honors the dress code. Not so easy…

Here are my favorite choices, which one do you prefer?

Lace-insert pleated georgette gown by Elie Saab

Glen sleeved embroidered dress by Temperley London

Graphic floral-print organza-silk gown by Dolce & Gabbana
Draped front strapless fil-coupé and tulle gown by Delpozo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vienna Opera Ball, APA, © Swarovski

On February 23, 2017, the famous Vienna Opera Ball, one of the most exclusive highlights of the Viennese social calendar, celebrates its 150th anniversary. It is an event steeped in tradition and timeless glamour, where debutantes and their partners dance the opening waltz and dazzle wearing fairytale tiaras as they are introduced into society. This year marks a very special collaboration as the tiara is designed by an emperor. No other than «Kaiser Karl», KARL LAGERFELD, teamed up with SWAROVSKI to design the sparkling tiara that will crown the heads of the debutantes.

Embellished with 394 clear and saphire blue Swarovski crystals along with five Swarovski crystal pearls, the Swarovski Tiara is named “LE BEAU DANUBE BLEU” (The Blue Danube) which is the common title of a famous waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Thomas Schrott/Swarovski, © Karl Lagerfeld and © Reuters

This was my look that I wore to the Omega press conference with Nicole Kidman in Vienna for the launch of their new Ladymatic models:

Stretch-jersey crepe top by Alexander McQueen, pleated brocade mini skirt and tiger-embroidered leather shoulder bag, both by Kenzo, suede ankle boots by Saint Laurent and black velvet deluxe tights by Wolford.

I am very much in love with this Kenzo bag as I still adore the tiger embroidery but had seen too many of the iconic sweaters on the streets recently…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my look for Omega’s La Nuit Enchantée in Vienna one week ago: Crochet gown by Emilio Pucci, leopard clutch by Louis Vuitton, suede sandals by Gucci, Diorette ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, gold-plated Swarovski crystal tiger necklace and crystal cuff-style tiger earrings, both by Roberto Cavalli.

Ear cuffs are so hot at the moment, stay tuned for a detailed post about those must-haves!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The last days in Vienna were amazing. Omega hosted an event of superlatives. On Saturday evening, I attended La Nuit Enchantée (The Enchanted Night) at the beautifully illuminated Gartenpalais Liechtenstein, a special celebration for the launch of the new models in Omega’s iconic Ladymatic collection with a very special guest: Nicole Kidman had flown in especially for the night from London where she is filming at the moment.

Let me tell you all about the amazing party and my enchanted moment of the night!

The façade of the Gartenpalais Liechtenstein, the venue for the event, was opulently lit with decorative projections, including the brand’s iconic Omega logo, and images from the new advertising campaign.

I arrived on the red carpet and was warmly greeted by Raynald Aeschlimann, Vice President and International Sales Director Omega.

Inside, the evening opened with a standing cocktail party in the palace, whose elaborate decoration with real trees suggested an enchanted forest.

We were then asked to go upstairs where an outstanding ambiance awaited us. The room itself breathed history and opulence, the decoration was truly stunning.

Following a choreographed dance performance of a Viennese waltz, Nicole Kidman entered the room dressed in an embellished, sheer F/W 2013 Oscar de la Renta gown.

The stunning actress has been the “face of Ladymatic” since its international debut in 2010 and introduced the new global advertising campaign for the collection during the event.

Omega President Stephen Urquhart welcomed us together with actor Maximilian Simonischek who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Following the three-course dinner, Nicole Kidman invited the guests to move back downstairs and to enjoy dessert.

Australian singer Shelley Harland performed her original songs, including “In the Dark”, the song selected by Omega as the soundtrack for the commercial.

And then my magic moment took place…

I met the amazing Nicole Kidman in person. She is absolutely adorable.

Thank you, Omega, for this amazing night! More information about my look, the new Ladymatic models and the press conference with Nicole Kidman that took place Sunday morning will be available soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today, I have spent a great day in Vienna. Shopping, sightseeing and a surprise, the only thing missing was the sun.

First, I went to Liska, a fabulous high fashion store, located in the heart of the Austrian city. Established in 2002, the shop carries brands such as Saint Laurent, Dior, Fendi and Valentino, as well as their own label, Liska by Thomas Kirchgrabner, the boutique’s USP is its range of furs. Your premier destination if you are on the hunt for that perfect mink coat or sable stole.
TO SHOP LISKA ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Then, I did some sightseeing and visited the famous Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule)…

… and Vienna’s landmark, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom).

The best moment of today was when I saw Dave Gahan again. I have always been a huge fan of Depeche Mode and had met him in Frankfurt a few years ago. If you are interested in seeing the previous post, please click here.

My look: Coat with fur details by Blumarine, cashmere sweater by J.Crew, scarf and stretch-leather skinny pants, both by Gucci, ankle boots by Prada and leather tote by Saint Laurent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht