Tag: Swiss Luxury

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A Wellness Weekend at the SchlossHotel Zermatt

The SchlossHotel Zermatt

In early March in Switzerland, you still have excellent snow and can easily enjoy the beautiful Swiss Alps to their fullest. So with this in mind, I headed up to the jet-set destination of Zermatt for a long weekend for some R&R. It was my first trip to Zermatt, and what a whirlwind weekend it was with my dear friend Bella at the SchlossHotel Zermatt. It really is an amazingly beautiful and peaceful destination in the heart of Switzerland. Indeed, a couple of days of fresh mountain air and deep relaxation at the SchlossHotel Zermatt Spa winter resort was exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries.

About the Location

Tucked away in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt is a picturesque mountain destination located in the southern Swiss canton Valais. It is a fantastic hotspot in the Swiss Alps that is great for skiing, climbing, and hiking. Zermatt is a popular ski holiday resort that is 1,600m in altitude and is situated just below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. The Matterhorn mountain is an incredibly iconic Swiss landmark. Indeed the Zermatt Matterhorn is an integral part of the delicious Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone’s packaging. The town of Zermatt is super pretty, lined with luxury shops and restaurants.

Zermatt is a world-famous town and attracts tourists from all over the world and the SchlossHotel Zermatt is an ideally located hotel with a spectacular view of the Matterhorn. The Hotel Schloss Zermatt is super central. In a quiet side street it is only 150 feet from the Gornergratbahn Train Station, the Zermatt Train Station, and the Bahnhofstrasse Main Street. Which was super practical during our stay.

About the SchlossHotel Zermatt

The SchlossHotel Zermatt is a family-owned hotel that was first opened in 1965. In October 1984, the family of Alex Perren, who were long-established residents of Zermatt, acquired the hotel. When we arrived, we were greeted by Alex Perren and his wife and they were incredibly kind and attentive. Their hospitality was impeccable and thoughtful, I was thoroughly impressed with the consistency and professionalism of everyone at the hotel.

Hotel Fun Fact: In the early 80s when my parents were first dating and still students. In fact, they actually stayed in the SchlossHotel Zermatt during their winter ski break. So when I told them I would be staying at the SchlossHotel Zermatt, they were truly excited about my mountain trip as it brought back fond memories of their budding romance.

The SchlossSpa

The SchlossHotel Zermatt has an incredible SPA that sprawls over 630m2. In fact, it is the first CBD SPA in all of Switzerland. It was opened in cooperation with “SwissCBD” (which is owned by Schibano Pharma Group AG). This new innovation in hospitality in Switzerland truly underlines the SchlossHotel’s innovative vision for the wellness market of the future.

The SchlossSpa has wonderful facilities including a gorgeous indoor pool, indoor gym, multiple steam rooms with herbal aromas, Hammam, Finnish saunas, and a Salt Room. I really enjoyed the Mediterranean Bath and the Finnish Sauna personally. Opposite the Finnish Sauna, they even have an Ice Crystal Room from which you can directly access outside and go into the snow.

Possibly my favorite part of the SchlossSpa was the “Water Paradise” showers. Each with its own unique lighting (red, green, blue, etc.), unique relaxing fragrances, and the recommended temperatures at which to enjoy them. The “Water Paradise” included two perfect post-sauna showers called Cold Breeze with a minty fresh aroma and Cold Rain with a lemon scent.

The SchlossSpa in Zermatt is one of the most beautiful and best-equipped hotel SPA’s I have been to in Switzerland. It is a wonderful place to refocus, release and relax.

The Fondue Experience

One of the truly unique aspects of our stay was the SchlossHotel Zermatt Fondue Experience. We soaked up the afternoon sun outside whilst enjoying a delicious cheese fondue.

It is an experience that the SchlossHotel Zermatt offers its guests. The experience includes:

  • Cheese fondue ”Moitié – Moitié”
  • Bread & potatoes
  • 1 bottle of Johannisberg or Fendant of your choice

I really recommend this experience, it is a Swiss gastronomic tradition that is not to be missed.

The Zermatt Matterhorn

The second day, we woke up to the beautiful view of the iconic Matterhorn and headed down to have breakfast. I loved the breakfast options they provided at the SchlossHotel Zermatt. I was especially impressed by the amount of locally sourced and organic products offered. The highlight for me was the waffle stand where you could cook your own waffles à-la-minute.

The Matterhorn is the mountain of mountains, an aesthetic emblem of Switzerland that soars above 4000m. So after some delicious breakfast, Bella and I boarded the train which took us up to the Rothorn set at 3000m. It was the perfect perch for us to enjoy a truly unforgettable view of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountain world. What’s more, the train ride up and down was spectacular.

The SchlossHotel Zermatt Room

Our room had a stunning view of the Matterhorn which was simply superb in the morning.

I think my favorite part of my first trip to Zermatt was in fact our Sunday’s bed in breakfast. I’m not an early bird by nature, so this was such an indulgence for me as it combined my love for sleeping in and staying in bed with a delicious breakfast. The Jensen bed was the perfect setting for our fresh coffee and orange juice.

It was a truly fantastic few days. A huge thank you to the SchlossHotel Zermatt for making my first trip to Zermatt unforgettable. A big thank you to Christian and the Zermatt Matterhorn team for our VIP Passes. Thank you to Alila for our wonderful winter wear and handbags. And of course a big thank you to Bella for being such a wonderful travel companion.

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The February Beauty Edit

Beauty Product Spotlight: February 2021

The month of February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. So, just in time for this 2021 Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share with you my favorite lotions and potions that I have become recently enamored by.

Valentine's Day makeup beauty

MY LOVE FOR LIPSTICK

One thing I like to do especially during the gray, cold winter days is to add a little color to my pout. As a huge makeup fan, I have an extensive collection of various shades of lipsticks. So I picked out my 8 favorite lipstick shades that I like to wear to beat those winter blues.

THE NUDE ATTITUDE

One of my all time favorite lipsticks is the MAC Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy. A gorgeous, creamy matte lipstick that has a very high color payoff. It has the perfect matte formulation and what is more the shade itself is like a magical color that suits almost every skin tone. If you prefer a more 60s, sex-kitten look then a great lipstick to try is the MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Shy Girl. A warm-toned peach with a creamy, pearl finish, it is in fact a color often worn by the oh-so-iconic Angelina Jolie.

Indeed, if you have a penchant for nude lipstick shades but want more of a sheer finish I love CHANEL ROUGE COCO FLASH lip shine in Boy 54. It has a luscious glossy effect. It has a super hydrating formulation, the nude shade is extremely flattering, naturally enhancing your lips. It acts almost like a reminder to other makeup products of just what cosmetics should do: enhance your natural beauty and never mask it.

CORAL CRUSH

For a playful pop of color that is not quite as bold as a red lip nor as conventional as a classic nude, coral is a good alternative. I love the Cremesheen MAC lipstick in Crosswires as it has a great color payoff. The coral is almost a bit smoked so to say with a slight pearl finish, which creates an overall expensive effect. I love it and always get tons of compliments when I wear this shade.

Valentine's Day beauty Chanel Mac gucci beauty
Valentine's Day CHANEL beauty

RED ALERT

A cool contemporary red lipstick is a great makeup look to rock on Valentine’s Day. My go-to red lip is actually this CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE in Passion 14. The packaging of this particular product is fabulous and ever so fun to use, with a click system and an ultra-luxurious black cover – this Chanel lipstick could be a prop from a 007 spy movie. The color itself is ultra-pigmented with a slightly blue undertone (which by the way makes your teeth look a tad whiter). It is hands down one of the most flattering red lipsticks I own.

THINK PINK

For a flirty, romantic makeup look, opt for a rose pink lip look. This looks great with a feminine, black kitten flick liner, and very long, fluttery lashes. My favorite pinks include MAC Satin Lipstick in Brave, Gucci’s Pigment Rich Lipstick in Magnolia Pink, and MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Clever.

Valentine's Day beauty Chanel
Valentine's Day beauty Chanel Gisou

HAIRCARE HEROS

If the idea of applying oil to your hair (especially if it is fine) fills you with dread, then Gisou’s iconic Honey Infused Hair Oil is a must-try. Created by the Instagram Star and Macro Influencer Negin Mirsalehi, whose own hair will give you hair goals with just one click on her Instagram account. So it is only fitting that she launched her own haircare brand. Gisou’s products are all enriched with natural ingredients including honey which is sustainably sourced from the Mirsalehi Bees in the Netherlands. The Gisou Hair Oil adds shine without weighing your hair down, this lightweight silky formulation can be used as a pre-treatment after washing your hair or post-blowdry and works on all hair types. I also love how luxurious the packing is for this hair oil. It looks so aesthetic in my bathroom and so far I am pleased with the results.

When you want to hit snooze and snuggle under the covers for a couple more minutes in the morning, dry shampoo is the answer to all your beauty prayers. Give your hair a little boost with Authentic Beauty Concept’s Dry Shampoo. It is a lightweight texturizing dry shampoo that is perfect to refresh your hair between washes. And just like all of the Authentic Beauty Concept products, it is vegan and free from microplastics, mineral oil, parabens, and silicones.

Valentine's Day beauty Gisou hair

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Will you be my Valentine? 4 Date Night Outfit Ideas

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. So I wanted to share with you 4 easy, fashion-forward date night outfits to wear on this romantic day…

Outfit ideas for Valentine’s Day can be tricky. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to what you should wear, there are some fashion guidelines when it comes to combining clothes, especially for a romantic date. The key is to find an outfit that you love, feel comfortable in, and also flatters your figure. Give yourself the boost of confidence you need with an outfit that will make you feel effortlessly at ease all evening.

So here are 4 head-to-toe Valentine’s Day outfit ideas to help you plan out your look, no matter what you have on your agenda. What is more, you can put together a sweet yet sexy look which you probably already have in your wardrobe.

So, whether you want to have the perfect look for date night with your significant other or a cute night in with the girls, here are my 4 favorite date night looks for Valentine’s Day 2021:

  • The Blazer Dress Look

Sophisticated, a well-tailored blazer dress Is fun yet formal enough to look polished for an evening. It is understatedly sexy and ever so flattering on every figure. It’s a bit of a blank canvas, so you can really play with accessories. You can add a pop of color with a pair of brightly colored heels or glam it up with statement jewels. Versatile, you can layer a pretty lace cami underneath or paired with high boots or a statement pair of glittery boot heels

  • The Dressy Denim Look

This is a bit of a K.I.S.S. Look (keep it simple stupid) – effortlessly chic and is super easy to create. You more than definitely have in your wardrobe. Dress up your jeans: All you need is a white shirt, blue jeans and a bold pair of red high heels. Simple, sexy, and timeless, it’s an easy look that takes you from day to night. Top off the outfit with luxe accessories, like a chunky, statement necklace or earrings.

  • The Classic LBD Look

A little black dress is a go-to romantic night outfit. You can make it cute or sexy depending on the cut and length of the dress. An iconic look that is ideal for an evening date, you can finish the look with a pair of simple gold hoops.

  • The Lady in Red Look

This is the most daring of the four Valentine’s Day date night ideas. It’s really for a special occasion and if you want to get amp up that “wow” factor. Instantly eye-catching, I love red for date night. It instantly makes a strong statement.

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Valentine’s Day Date-Night Outfits Tips:

  • Plan your date-night outfit based on the activity involved and its location.
  • Always opt for sophisticated and structured styles for formal dates and relaxed silhouettes for more casual occasions.
  • Contrast and ensure a balance: with masculine pieces, such as a leather jacket or pants, add more feminine elements, such as high heels or a ruffled top to the outfit.
  • Be sure that you’re comfortable with what you wear.
  • Express your personality through the details of your clothes, be it glam glitter, ladylike lace, or cool girl studs.

Whether you’re awaiting an array of flowers, chocolates, love letters, a girly night in, a delicious dinner, or who knows, perhaps a romantic getaway and a shower of gifts too – stay true to your style and on top of your game with these easy outfit ideas.

Whatever your plans, I hope you have a fantastic time filled with love and fun.

Wishing you a wonderful and very happy Valentine’s Day!

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5 Fashion Facts about Gucci

Innovative, iconic and eccentric, Gucci is the Italian, luxury fashion house based in Florence.

Under the romantic and eclectic direction of Alessandro Michele, Gucci is redefining luxury for the 21st century. Founded in 1921, Gucci represents the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship. Today part of the Kering Group, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands, with a renowned reputation for creativity.

So here are 5 fun facts for fashion fanatics who are fans of Gucci.

  1. The GG logo: First up, the iconic, double G logo stands for Gucci Gucci. He founded the famous fashion house in 1921, however this GG logo was not created by Gucci himself. It was actually designed in 1960 to honor him after his death.
  2. Fashion Jean-ious: Secondly, did you know that in 1998 Gucci’s “Genius Jeans” entered the Guinness World Records as the most expensive pair of jeans in the world!? They were valued at a whopping $3,134. A record that was only broken in 2005 when Levis sold a pair of jeans for $60,000 at auction.
  3. Christie’s x Gucci: Speaking of auctions, back in 2010, Gucci teamed up with the auction house Christie’s to launch the Gucci Collector. A unique service where team of experts would offer an appraisal of your vintage Gucci items online. It was the first Gucci-certified online destination and became an online hub for Gucci collectors from all over the world.
  4. The Gucci Garden: This set the scene for the Gucci Museo which opened in 2011 in the heart of Florence. It is also known as the Gucci Garden and even has its own library, cafe and of course it’s own boutique.
  5. Alessandro Ascends: In 2015, Alessandro Michele took over as creative director of the brand. He totally revolutionized the Italian fashion house. Juxtaposing his maximalist aesthetic with geek chic. Right up until today he continues to incorporated unexpected materials and create uncommon beauty in each and every Gucci collection.
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5 fun facts about Haute Couture Fashion Week

Oh couture! The most beautiful event on the global style calendar. A sumptuous serenade of the most talented couturiers.

What is Haute Couture Fashion Week?

Established in 1945, this mandate paved way for the first concept of fashion week, a biannual affair of the top Haute Couture houses hosted in Paris.

Having personally worked at the Haute Couture Fashion Week when I was a fashion student in Paris, I can tell you first hand, that the whole affair was truly a surreal dream come true. For example, when I worked there, we were handling the most exquisite designer dresses that would be worn at Oscars and other extremely high-profile events by the most A-list celebrities you could dream of. Needless to say, it felt like a fairytale. So, with this in mind, I wanted to share with you some fun facts about the annual Haute Couture Fashion Week. 

  1. Haute Couture Qualifications: Haute Couture houses are determined based on a set of rules predicated by the standards of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. According to these rules, a house must present a collection of at least 35 pieces (including both daytime and evening wear) per season. Whilst the majority of design houses are French, a select number of ‘foreign’ members are also selected to join. A grand couturier is a member of the French Chambre syndicale de la haute couture, part of the Fédération française de la couture. Indeed less than 20 designers qualify to show on the official Paris couture week schedule. This said, its governing body, the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, allows Guest Members and Corresponding Members to show around the same time. This year’s Haute Couture 2021 Members include: Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Alexis Mabille, Stéphane Rolland, Julien Fournié, Alexandre Vauthier, Maison Margiela, Franck Sorbier and Jean Paul Gaultier. The Fashion Week will also show Corresponding Members and Guest Members. Paris’s Haute Couture Fashion Week went digital in July 2020, translating the craftsmanship of couture to a virtual format for the first time. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode hosted videos from accredited couture maisons on a dedicated platform.
  2. Couture Creations are Unique: Each member ‘must’ employ a minimum of 15 people, present their collection twice a year and have outfits which include day and evening wear. All the clothes must be sewn by hand, no sewing machines or beading machines are used what so ever for these collections
  3. The First Ever Paris Fashion Week: PFW feels like it has been around forever. However it is actually quite a recent concept. The first Paris Fashion Week took place on November 28, 1973 and was supervised by the founder of New York Fashion Week, Eleanor Lambert. This event was was the first time that collections of Haute Couture, prêt-à-porter, and menswear were showcased together in Paris. The event was held as a fundraiser at the Palace of Versailles in an effort of covering the cost of renovating the royal residence, which was estimated at around $60 million. The first Paris Fashion Week commenced a fashion mega-rivalry bookmarked in fashion history. Comprising the most prestigious designers; five American–Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston, Oscar de la Renta, and Stephen Burrows; and five French designers–Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Yves Saint Laurent, the designer teams were pitted against each other in creating eight pieces to represent French and American fashion. The event garnered over 700 people, including a star-studded guest list featuring Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor, and Liza Minelli. A fierce competition, the transcontinental fair was dubbed “The Battle of Versailles.”
  4. Opening The Mystical Doors of Couture With Mugler: In 1984, Thierry Mugler became the first fashion designer to give the French public access to an actual fashion show. In celebration of the house’s 10th anniversary, Mugler orchestrated a grandiose runway performance for his Fall/Winter 1984 collection. Held at le Zénith stadium in front of a paying audience of over 6,000 people, the runway show marked the first fashion show open to the public.
  5. The Clients of Couture: Even though the shows take place in Paris, it’s not actually where the majority of couture clients are based. For example with the iconic Italian designer Versace, their largest client bases are in India, Russia, and Brazil. The couture market itself is estimated by The Financial Times to be globally worth €650million – just 1% of luxury fashion sales in the world. Indeed the average cost for a a couture daywear piece is £8,000. That price rockets through the to the hundreds of thousands for anything close to a gown or any form of couture evening wear. Therefore it is no surprise couture has an extremely niche market of customers. Very unlike the millions of people who buy ready-to-wear clothing worldwide, there are no more than 2000 regular customers that actually buy haute couture pieces. Initially, After World War 2 which is also known as the Golden Age of Fashion, there were approximately 15,000 women who wore couture. Today, the number shank down and is estimated number is down to 2,000 women who wear couture. Indeed couture pieces are often leant out to actresses and public figures to gain publicity.
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Swiss Influencer Feature – January 2020

Swiss Influencer Features Anna Swiss Mermaid.

I am super happy to share this new feature with you.

The Swiss Influencer website is a community dedicated to Swiss content creators.

Read the full AnnaSwissMermaid feature here.