Contrary to popular opinion, some of us are still very much in favour of wearing a watch. Not always for telling the time, mind. In fact, these days a watch can almost be the opposite of a passing-of-time marker, instead serving as a symbol of slowing down and savouring the day. (more…)
For the third in my Petit Déjeuner film series, we’re celebrating the reawakening of the London Dior flagship store. Petit Déjeuner is all about new beginnings and reinvention, and after four years of renovation, we’re finally seeing the reawakening of this sleeping beauty.
What’s the role of a flagship store these days? The flagship (or ‘Maison’ as many like to call theirs) is more important than ever, in the era of bricks vs clicks. If the phone, app, website or e-commerce portal is the convenience store, then the Maison is the beautiful, leisurely experience that to me, is real luxury. As Dior’s Sidney Toledano says, “The real deal is time. The young generation, whether they are 15, 18, 20, they want everything fast. But maturity is giving meaning to time. Time is dreaming. We give the ability to the people to have a moment of dreaming.”
So enter the vast, four-level listed building (actually two buildings now co-joined) and you’re in a grand cathedral to all things chic and beautiful. From the jasmine-trellised conservatory (that had to stay due to listed building status), to the stately marble staircase, to the neo-Louis XV1 furniture (a nod to the elegant Parisian house codes), it’s like entering the most decadent, life size dollshouse. And fittingly, there’s an exclusive home collection to add to the Dior universe. Think crystal glassware, hand embroidered linens and a range of teas inspired by Dior fragrances.
On the subject of fragrance, the perfume department is decorated by the most wonderful porcelain sculpture wall by Beth Katleman. Yes, you will want to linger here for a while. And wait, did I mention the three private dressing room suites, decorated with Mats Gustafson and Christian Bérard illustrations?
Art was one of Christian Dior’s great passions so it’s fitting that this ‘house’ is filled with unique contemporary pieces. The ornate staircase is incredible, from the globular silver ‘Distant Cousin’ sculpture by Tony Cragg alongside it, to the curlicued railings, to the animated ‘mural’ by Oyoram, an ever-changing digital screen that brings life and energy to the space. Marc Quinn continues the colour explosion with his limited edition Lady Dior bags and small leather accessories drenched in a vibrant floral print.
And to balance the bursts of colour, of course there are several shades of signature Dior grey, another house code, here reinvented in silver leafed leather, bedazzling chrome and reflective surfaces. In this shining temple, there are mirrors wherever you look.
It’s all very mesmerising and creates the perfect backdrop for our film about transformation, identity and possibility. Come in, look around, try something on, dare to dream a little. Who do you want to be today?
Watch the film here
FILM CREDITS
Concept: Navaz Batliwalla and Emma Miranda Moore
Film and photography: Emma Miranda Moore
Styling: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl.net
Hair and make-up: Sjaniël at Novel Beings
Model: Antonia Haswell at Linden Staub
Music by Millie Cole
First outfit:
Black top from Cassie Mercantile; other items from Contemporary Wardrobe
All other items from Dior.
STILLS CREDITS
As above. All clothes and accessories, Dior
Location: Dior, 160-162 New Bond Street, London W1
Thanks to Rebecca Lesley, Emmet Holmes-Boyes, Callie Adams at Dior
Watch part 2 of Petit Déjeuner here
#DRGPetitDejeuner
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Part 2 of my DRG film strand, Petit Déjeuner takes us to the fashionable heart of Paris for coffee and comedy chat with my favourite raconteur…
Phyllis Wang and I are balancing in heels on the back of her sofa, checking ourselves out in the mantelpiece mirror. We’ve just been trying on Céline shoes, talking about her comedy club, her love of Parisian life, her Asian mum and the joy of socks. She has downed her third coffee of the day. Although it’s afternoon, it’s technically breakfast time for this Taiwanese-American Parisienne, who works nights as a stand up comedienne, moonlighting as a fashion collaborator between shows. (more…)
What do mornings mean to you? That’s the roundabout question being asked by Petit Déjeuner, my new DRG film strand, which launches today! It’s a chance to stretch myself beyond the world of stills and dip a toe into the wonderful realms of moving image.
These video vignettes take their cues from morning routines, musings and motivations. You know, those first waking moments when you may be ruminating on your ambitions – hello Monday #lifegoals! – or if you’re anything like me, wishing you could slow your pace right down as you silence the snooze button for the 12th time…
First in the series is Hurry Up And Wait, directed and photographed by my creative collaborator, Emma Miranda Moore. We took inspiration from our 18-year-old Dutch muse, Bo Jong, whose suitably go-getting spirit had her entering modelling at 14 and moving to London by eighteen. (more…)
