Sandra‘s Closet

Today’s outfit post is dedicated to the amazing IWC Schaffhausen gala that took place last September during the Zurich Film Festival. I wore a very colorful gown by Peter Pilotto that I adore. The “mix and match” effect of the fabrics is extremely up to date. Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett, who was the star of the night, sported the floral print trend as well. I have included some impressions of this extraordinary event for you. A huge thank you to Andrea Monica Hug who took some photos of me upon my arrival.

My look: Freya kaleidoscope print crepe gown by Peter Pilotto, laser-cut leather clutch by Christopher Kane, leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent, earrings by Prada, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery and Portofino Midsize Automatic watch with diamonds and grey alligator bracelet by IWC Schaffhausen.

LoL, Sandra

Kurt Eschbacher interviews Cate Blanchett during the gala

Lovely Karolina Kurkova (I hosted an intimate lunch with her one day before) framed by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern to her right and photographer Peter Lindbergh to her left.

To the sounds of DJ Jack-E, we partied the whole night… definitely another unforgettable night!

Photos: © Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for IWC
© Andrea Monica Hug/ Chic in Zurich 
© Sandra Bauknecht

OMG! This week had been so busy, that I have almost forgotten a very special day. On November 23, five years ago, the probably biggest adventure of my life has started, I published my first post and Sandra’s Closet was born. I am so grateful for all the amazing things that have happened since then. I travelled to the most distinguished places, met many celebrities and fashion designers (click here to see most of them) and appeared in many publications (check out the press section here).

Below I put together some of my personal highlights over the last five years:

Being the face of the Closed F/W 2011 campaign.

Walking a runway show during New York Fashion Week F/W 2012.

I designed this limited edition “Zurich” tee in collaboration with Closed.

The launch of Sandra Berry, my very own bespoke limited edition ink by Montblanc.

I went with Montblanc for the ultimate Oscar experience to Los Angeles in February 2013.

I became the ambassador for Piaget.

Being at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles with Piaget was an amazing experience.

In August 2013, we shot a fun social media campaign with MCM in Berlin to celebrate the limited edition collection: Craig & Karl – EYES ON THE HORIZON.

I hosted a fun event with MCM to celebrate the launch of their new backpacks in November 2013 in Zurich.

In December 2013, I hosted the Goldenized event at Patrizia Pepe‘s Zurich store.

Before becoming the editor in chief of L’Officiel Switzerland, I had for three years, from 2011-2014, a monthly column in SI Style magazine.

Being invited by Omega for a dinner with George Clooney in Shanghai in May 2014 (post coming up soon).

Hosting a lunch with IWC and star guest top model Karolina Kurkova during the Zurich Film Festival 2014 (post coming up soon).

Being an ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger’s BHI campaign in October 2014 made me very proud.

Designing a Samsung tablet during the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Days Zurich 2014 that we will be raffled off soon here on my blog was an extremely fun project.

And last but not least something I am really proud of: I am in a book that was launched recently in German during Berlin Fashion Week and in English during London Fashion Week (a detailed post will be published shortly). Fashion Germany, the new coffee-table 208-page tome presents the country’s most important people in the world of fashion.

My blog has taken me on such a beautiful adventure and I would like to thank you all for following me and supporting my work. Without you, the success wouldn’t have been possible. Stay tuned during the next weeks as some amazing raffles will be coming up to thank you for all your time that you are spending on Sandra’s Closet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © David Biedert Photography, © Christoph Schemel and © Sandra Bauknecht

Yes, I still can get very excited about press announcements and this one really made my heart leap with joy as I am a huge nail polish aficionado.

This month, the 10th Zurich Film Festival will take place and Dior is launching two limited edition nail lacquers to celebrate this occasion. The two shades 228 Reflects (golden sparkles that also look beautiful over any other nail color) and 808 Night Shock (a metallic shiny black) will be available from September 10, 2014 at Globus Zürich, Globus Glatt and at the ZFF Festival Center at Sechseläutenplatz for CHF 37.00 each.

My international readers might recognize the nail polishes as they were part of Dior’s first pre-fall collection ‘Dior Colour Icons’. Unfortunately the beautiful red shade 888 Tout Paris won’t be available in Switzerland. But let’s be happy we can get our hands at those two exclusive ones! I just love that kind of stuff!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, ZFF and © Sandra Bauknecht

Aren’t we all driven by something? For the opening night of the Zurich Film Festival, I was driven by this Saint Laurent S/S 2013 runway look. I love the sweeping asymmetric hem of this stretch-crepe gown that is balanced by padded shoulders and a voluminous pussy-bow tie.

My look: Sequin-embellished stretch-crepe gown, wide-brimmed rabbit and cotton-blend felt fedora, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, all by Saint Laurent, ‘My Own Code’ clutch by Valentino, Limelight Gala watch and diamond rose ring by Piaget.

By the way, I can only recommend the movie RUSH, that was shown at the opening night of the Zurich Film Festival. Directed by Academy Award winning Ron Howard, the film is set in the epic 1976 racing season and narrating the legendary rivalry between Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).

The movie offers a lot emotional scenes and ladies, believe me, you will die watching Chris Hemsworth. He is so good-looking and captivating with those divine eyes.

Massimiliano Giornetti, Creative Director of Salvatore Ferragamo, designed the costumes worn by Daniel Brühl and Alexandra Maria Lara, who is playing on-screen the champion’s wife, Marlene. Gucci‘s Creative Director Frida Giannini has dipped into the archives to dress the opponents Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Wilde. Another good reason to watch the movie…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Zuza Speckert and courtesy of Ferragamo and Gucci.

From September 26 to October 6, 2013, the 9th edition of the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) took place with many amazing events. One of the biggest highlights of those days was surely the evening with Harrison Ford. As official partner of the 9th ZFF, Tommy Hilfiger invited members of the jury along with other VIP guests to a very intimate dinner followed by an after party at the store on Bahnhofstrasse.

Daniel Grieder (CEO Tommy Hilfiger) framed by Nadja Schildknecht (Managing Director ZFF) to the left and German actress Veronica Ferres to the right.

We got absolutely spoilt that night. Each guest was greeted at his seat by an iPad mini that we could keep and the food (by Franzoli Caterings) was absolutely divine. I stayed until late to great music and must say that this was one of the best nights out in Zurich in a long time.

Meeting a legend, Mr Harrison Ford in person, made me obviously very happy.

German-American TV entertainer Steven Gätjen with me. Very funny, we met for the first time 25 years ago… but still recognized each other.

Thank you, Mr Grieder, for such an amazing night!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger and © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, one night before the official opening of the Zurich Film Festival, I was invited to the Piaget Movie Night at the store on Bahnhofstrasse. I went for a classy outfit that gave all the attention to my beautiful sparkling jewelry.

My look: Vest, gabardine skinny tux trousers, lace body, mousseline-silk bow tie, and pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, all by Saint Laurent, ‘My Own Code’ clutch by Valentino, Limelight Gala watch, diamond rose ring and necklace, all by Piaget.

Piaget ambassadors: Actor Carlos Leal with me

Highlight of the evening was a lively panel discussion, presented by Philippe Klemenz, during which Carlos Leal gave some insights into the cineaste world along with my husband Dr. Gero Bauknecht, partner and board member of Silver Reel Partners.

A huge thank you to Sylvain Auroux, Director Piaget Switzerland, and Nunzia Marsella-Cesaro, Store Manager Piaget Zurich, and their team for this lovely evening!

I had a lot of fun and was happy to party with my dear friend and colleague Florence Jacquinot in Zurich!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This weekend, I was invited by Dior to the Zurich Film Festival that is celebrating the art of film in all its facets this year for the 8th time. In a very short amount of time, it has established itself upon the national and international festival landscape.

We started in the afternoon with the vernissage “Stars in Dior”, a beautiful exhibition of photographs featuring celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Sharon Stone, who have often worn creations by the house of Dior, whether they were designed by its founder or his successors, on the set, at cinema-related events or simply in their everyday life.

At the vernissage framed by Manuela Pastore (Sales Manager Parfums Christian Dior) to the left and Sonya Burch-Baumann (PR Manager Parfums Christian Dior) to the right.

Later, we went to the screening of “Love is all you need” (Den skaldede frisor), a film directed by Academy Award Winner Susanne Bier and starring Pierce Brosnan plus a famous Danish cast, among them Trine Dyrholm and Kim Bodnia.

The heartwarming story is very moving but at the same incredibly funny with a hint of absurdity. A hairdresser (Trine Dyrholm) who has lost her hair to cancer finds out her husband (Kim Bodnia) is having an affair, travels to Italy for her daughter’s wedding and meets a widower (Pierce Brosnan) who still blames the world for the loss of his wife.
Of course, nothing goes according to plan and yet everything works out in the end. The film was shown in Danish/English with German subtitles and I have to admit that the original soundtrack added even more charm to it.

The Dior after party took place at the Frauenbadi that was beautifully decorated.
What a great night!

My look: Black belted gown by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, cropped fur jacket by Prada, feather stole, handbag and pearl multi-strand necklace by Dior, pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

In the end, Dior spoilt us even more with the wonderful coffee-table book “Stars in Dior” (Available in stores for around €45.-) and a bottle of the house’s recently launched fragrance: MISS DIOR – Le Parfum.

The scent is announced as elegant, sensual and intoxicating nocturnal perfume extract. The nose behind this fragrance is François Demachy who said he “wanted to bring something precious and luminous to the composition of Miss Dior Le Parfum, like an oriental jewellery set or the reflections of shimmering fabric.” Yet again, beautiful Natalie Portman is the face for the campaign, formerly she presented Miss Dior Cherie.

MISS DIOR – Le Parfum
Oriental – Chypre

Top notes: Mandarin
Middle notes: Bulgarian rose absolute and Turkish rose absolute
Base notes: Patchouli, amber and vanilla.

Available now for CHF 129.50 (40ml) and CHF 179.50 (75ml).
My new favorite, such a warm, beautiful and very feminine perfume. A must for all lovers of oriental fragrances.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, IMDB and © Sandra Bauknecht