Sandra‘s Closet

Last night, I went to Volvo‘s VIP event “Switch to Pure”, the official presentation of their new V60 Plug-in Hybrid car.

Opening the evening, the acclaimed futurist Matthias Horx delivered the keynote speech about sustainable luxury: “Luxury and sustainability are no longer contradictory. Global markets, future mentalities and consumer behaviour change. One of the biggest trend over the next ten years will be ‘womanomics’, which is reflecting the increased influence of women in society.” Speaking of which, here are some quotes of powerful women in fashion:

Coco Chanel brought it to the point: „Luxury is not the opposite of poverty. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”

And British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood said in the Oct. 4, 2007 edition of The Telegraph: “Buy less, choose well. If you ask me what I think people should be getting next season, I’ll tell you what I’d like them to buy—nothing. I’d like people to stop buying and buying and buying.”

Speaking of choosing well, here is my “healthy fashion” look:
Cropped leather jacket (from a previous season) by Prada, eggplant-print silk-organza dress, raffia-trimmed PVC waist belt, cameo and onion clip earrings, eggplant and bell pepper bracelet, all by Dolce & Gabbana, “Diorette” ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie, flap-over zip bag by Tom Ford and studded leather ankle boots by Valentino.

During his speech, Matthias Horx said: “The woman is responsible for most of decisions made within a family, even which car should be bought.”

With this in mind, dear ladies, you should have a closer look at the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. You get three modes in one: Pure, Hybrid and Power, this is like a closet of cars. Each day, you can choose in which mood you are.

Green thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As you might have realized already, some of this week’s posts have been dedicated to sustainable luxury. But what does this new fashionable expression actually mean?
Sustainability poses an opportunity to explore alternatives to the norm, to propose innovations and ideas for a closer connection of technology and nature, to develop and experiment with recycled and natural materials.

In our daily life, we are not willing to compromise very much in order to live and consume responsible-minded. Today, there are many brands who try new ways to combine both lifestyles. One of them is the Volvo Car Corporation.

Yesterday, we shot a short movie for the launch of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Switzerland.

Their new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, and the economy benefits are just incredible. At the touch of a button, you can choose which of the three driving modes you want to drive at any given moment: Pure, Hybrid or Power – meaning you have „three cars in one“. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.

Yesterday, I had the car for the day and drove around the city of Zurich sometimes on pure electricity which was totally amazing. It is pretty impressive that it is not only totally silent, but you can accelerate reasonably hard in electric mode without the diesel motor kicking in. As you sink in the black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, you are definitely not thinking of going green.

Let me take you on a ride to some of my favourite spots in my recent hometown.

First stop: HOTEL BAUR AU LAC

I love this beautiful hotel set in its own park, with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the Alps. The terrace is one of my favourite places to lunch in the summer.

This weekend, the famous hotel park will host the opening event of Zurich’s ninth “Art in the Park”. The exhibition shows sculptures in the garden of the legendary 5 star hotel until August, 6th 2012. It is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, the wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner, in collaboration with Gallery Gmurzynska.

A warm welcome upon my arrival.
My look: Orange-fuchsia bi-colour silk shirt and “Audrey” wayfarer sunglasses, both by Céline, stretch-leather leggings and green python “1970” bag, both by Gucci and booties by Chanel.

On my way, I received many compliments from people who loved my car.

Second stop: SHOPPING AT GUCCI

As you know, I love Gucci and I am a huge fan of their new sustainable collections. The trunk of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has enough space for many shopping bags. Awesome!

It is always too much fun shopping with Stefano Polli, Gucci’s store manager in Zurich.

Third Stop: SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN

I love my green oasis at home to relax and I always have flowers on display. Yesterday, I got my favourite ones: a huge bunch of pale pink peonies.

Fourth stop: RESTAURANT SEEROSE

Personally speaking, whenever I am there, I feel like being on vacation. Surrounded by the mountains and the lake, nature is embracing you in the city. Where else in the world can you find this?

By the way, when you switch to the “pure” almost silent mode, you have a similar effect while driving. You can hear the wheels on the asphalt and the wind around you. Such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.

I hope that you have enjoyed my little ride through Zurich!

The indicative price of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid luxurious “Pure Limited Edition” is starting at CHF 78.600,- in Switzerland.

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013 (of which 79 will go to Switzerland) this upcoming December, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.

Stay tuned for more… and a huge thank you to all who liked my facebook page. It has reached today over 30.000 likes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I am part of a very interesting and extraordinary project for the launch of the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid with different events taking place during the next days.

Starting today until this upcoming Monday, June 11th 2012, Volvo Switzerland is turning Zurich Main Station into an open street art studio. Seven Chinese artists will constantly repaint, respray and restyle the new car, expressing their interpretation of the sustainable mobility of tomorrow. Stop by if you get a chance to get an exciting insight into China’s contemporary art scene.

Tonight’s opening night presented an amazing live art and dancing performance. Volvo’s brand ambassador, Melanie Winiger, former Miss Switzerland winner and model, was dressed and painted all in black, followed by strokes of gold. Famous guest of the night was Andres Andrekson aka Stress, (see last photo below).

Richard Monturo, Volvo Vice President of Global Marketing, and Swiss chef Pascal Schmutz with me in the middle.

Stay tuned for more to come – especially if you are curious how the “three-dimensional canvas”, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, looks like. The two of us went on a little adventure trip today. The whole event is also streamed live via webcam at volvoartsession.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht