I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.
www.cubiclejournal.com
7th July 2011

In Dior Joaillerie-Horlogerie boutique 8 place Vendôme; Hotel de Crillon

I must’ve simmered in the London pot little too long to think that stepping out with a lightly-packed bag while high-fiving the drunk neighbour at 4am is a very appropriate start to a romantic Paris trip. Drunk on a Sunday night, true hipster pirate freelancer spirit, aye? I should know, I’m captain of that ship. We’re sinking and all that. Anyway. On arrival I searched around for my driver (ho ho my driver, when would I EVER say that again) and spotted a man holding up a ‘Mr Parcchini’ sign. Naturally I glazed over and kept looking, thinking poor Italian man with a name that sounds like food. After a flurry of texts between Brian the PR, turns out Mr Parcchini (ParkShini) was to be my alias in Paris – I’m guessing the reservation was made by phone. So I said that’s me and from then on the driver couldn’t stop looking at his rear mirror, so I spoke in a deep voice to take the mickey out of him and all, buhehe.

Dior kindly invited me down for a day for the introduction of the spectacular Dior VIII watches – to be extra clear, it does not have six wives, one with a cocktail named after. Apparently 8 was Mr Dior’s lucky number! Look out for part two and three, because I’m in Seoul at the moment with acute exhaustion and the internet in this damn hotel costs £10 an hour I decided to skip the research this time and write this up in Word. It just underlined ‘Parcchini’ in a red squiggly line…

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52 Comments

  1. the style crusader
    July 7, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Wow Shini! These photos are so incredibly beautiful. I love the slightly grainy vintage feel… it makes it look like a totally magical other-worldy place. Like some sort of mystical Parsian/Dior fantasy.

    Can’t wait to see more. The watches are incredible! xx

  2. Kazuko
    July 7, 2011 at 10:12 am

    very smart, you went incognito… happens with my name all the time, too (and sometimes it really annoys me – how hard can it be?) anyways… nice pics! i’d love to be a hobby goldsmith/watchmaker with a professional goldsmith’s studio! (as for the dior watches – to be honest, i like them more when they comes in single pieces and not as a whole watch ;))

  3. vasilieva
    July 7, 2011 at 10:15 am

    phenomenal shots as always and these watches are just so perfect

    http://elenavasilieva.blogspot.com/
    x

  4. s
    July 7, 2011 at 10:21 am

    WONDERFUL post ;D

    STREET LIFE: DAISY LOWE @ Elie Saab Show
    http://magmoiselle.fr

  5. anne
    July 7, 2011 at 10:35 am

    All these watches stuff in dior! so interesting!
    are you still in paris?

  6. Shini
    July 7, 2011 at 11:13 am

    Ooh nope, I was there just for a night from Monday – Tuesday! xx

  7. cece
    July 7, 2011 at 10:45 am

    this is once again, hilarious. you have a voice in your writing that is completely original and utterly adorable. i love this post. i’ve been thinking about how much i want a dior watch…

    you’re in seoul? so am i, are you enjoying the mind boggling humidity?

  8. Shini
    July 7, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Ooh you are too? it’s raining cats and poo now so it’s rather cool and nice but yarrrh yesterday it was boggles woggles. Does wonder to my skin though hahah
    How long are you here for?

  9. cece
    July 7, 2011 at 10:53 am

    @Shini, i’m here until october… gahhhh, don’t even want to think about the rest of the summer and hot it’s going to be! i must add that i’m the only member of my family that will not spend the summer in europe this year due to the fact that i’m absolutely broke. sigh. i will have to live vicariously through your blog posts.

  10. Abi
    July 7, 2011 at 10:51 am

    LOL. That is hilarious!
    I love that you got to get really close and see the intricacy of the watches, that must have been pretty cool. x

  11. fashion foie gras
    July 7, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Absolutely amazing photography!

  12. www.blahblahbecky.co.uk
    July 7, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    After your lovely story all I can think is “£10 an HOUR?!”.

    ♥ http://www.blahblahbecky.co.uk

  13. Shini
    July 7, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    I don’t actually think it was £10 but it was definitely £6 for 30 minutes… oh wait that makes it £12 for an hour so wow I guess that’s worse.

  14. The Fancy Teacup
    July 7, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    The Dior event looks so neat to have been part of! I especially am smitten with the captures of the roses and interior decor as well.

    ♥, Jamie
    http://www.TheFancyTeacup.com

  15. Platform Princess
    July 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    Ahh you so lucky and so fancy Mr Pachinni. I’ve got a few errands to run next week, can I borrow your driver?

    Miss you!

  16. Lola
    July 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    £10 an hour?! Blimey! Great pictures though and how exciting to see how it all happens in Dior World X

  17. Domonique
    July 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Your photography is beyond gorgeous! The watch is equally stunning! I couldn’t think of a better way to kick start your trip,ha!x

  18. Frivolita
    July 7, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Funny annecdote and lovely pictures!
    http://www.soyfrivolita.blogspot.com

  19. Marloes
    July 7, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Oh, these photos look like a dream! I am very curious for the next 2 parts, the watches are marvellous!

  20. D
    July 7, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Hi babe, may I know what’s the colour and brand of your nail polish? It looks gorgeous!

  21. Shini
    July 7, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Ohh I believe it’s this one http://goo.gl/1Pkn1 from The Organic Pharmacy!

  22. Canary
    July 7, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    ‘Like’ doesn’t work!!!!!!!!!!!! :((((((((((((((

  23. Shini
    July 7, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Thanks for letting me know, I fixed it now, does it work? x

  24. tom tuttle from tacoma
    July 8, 2011 at 1:47 am

    @Shini, worked. you have pretty lashes.

  25. renee
    July 7, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    ooohhh..Paris!! You really go places don’t you ?! Love the photos ….
    I just got a Dior bag…coincidence or what..hahah..:D

  26. Emily @ Wardrobe Block
    July 7, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    Gorgeous photos! I bet it was amazing…

  27. Vanessa
    July 7, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Beauuutiful! x

  28. Jessie
    July 7, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    looks absolutely incredible. such a beautiful setting and location. wish i could have been there.
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

  29. Anna
    July 7, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    These are really gorgeous photos! The composition and colours are perfect! :)

    I’m so jealous that you got to see those watches and how they’re made! I collect watches (to put it nicely, it’s ‘eccentric’, I know) – this would be my dream!

    Anna | http://www.anna-sofia.org/blog

  30. CAROLA
    July 7, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Again: Such beautiful pictures! Thank you, my dear!

    Love, Carola

  31. taru
    July 7, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    you did it the style way..

    T from THE WORLD TOUR
    A couple of lovers sailing around the world.
    http://sailingaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com

  32. Sophie
    July 8, 2011 at 12:41 am

    Fantastic Photos!

    http://www.theparalleluniversee.blogspot.com

  33. Amber
    July 8, 2011 at 1:09 am

    Wow , this is such a beautiful post. I really adore the watch with the art-deco inlay. What did you think of the couture collection? I didn’t think it was so bad!

  34. Kit
    July 8, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Incredible post. Can’t believe watch making looks like a nightmare with all this tiny bits and bobs everywhere.

    Do you get to keep the DIORRRRR watch?

    Miss you pooohead.

  35. michelle
    July 8, 2011 at 8:34 am

    amazing collection of watch from Dior :) are you in seoul for work? have fun (though yes I know this rainy weather is not very pleasing but still)!

  36. Amanita
    July 8, 2011 at 9:10 am

    WOW!!!! Impresionante!!! XOXO

    http://isauraamandabybastos.blogspot.com/

  37. Sarah
    July 8, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Hahaha

    Parcchini – your new coffee name! XD

  38. saigon
    July 8, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    gee, the watch looks brilliant. so glossy , and elegant.
    so from london on to seoul in just a few days. very tedious for the body, i must say, but invigorating for the soul

  39. Klarisse
    July 8, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    That watch you are holding is absolutely beautiful. *___*

  40. Cat
    July 8, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    First of all; stunning pictures and what an absolutely beautiful watch!
    Secondly; stunning wit! I absolutely adore the way your posts are not that big and yet you still come up with something witty to say. I totally dig your humour.
    By the way, Bloody Mary was Henry’s daughter, not wife. ;-) (Thank you ‘The Tudors’, for making me know so much about the Tudor period…).

  41. Nelle
    July 9, 2011 at 10:40 am

    I’m in love with your blog !
    xx

  42. In elegance we trust
    July 10, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I love the pictures! They are awesome!

    http://inelegancewetrust.blogspot.com/

  43. p'tit
    July 10, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    wow! so interesting post…and what about the pictures? amazing as always! :)

  44. Clare
    July 11, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    You make Paris look so lovely and romantic, my dreams of paris were brutally shattered when I went in May. The infamous and rare crutch-bashing. In a nutshell? A man got a boner on my thigh during rush hour on the metro. Endured for 30minutes. Romantic? I think not.

    LOVELOVELOVE your photos :)

    Clare

  45. fashion tidbits
    July 11, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    Shini, argh i just melted because of that first picture with the roses…
    Hey, when are you in seoul till?

  46. NikAdel
    July 12, 2011 at 4:36 am

    I love ur blog! Ur pictures speak for themselves and ur writing is so thoughtful in way, that wit comes across more than once! And hahaha that happens with my real name/ names all the time. Ooh I was wondering, because I was reading through ur old entries..Did you grow up in Poland?!!
    Oh and I forgot your such a fashion inspiration!!

  47. Lucy
    July 12, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    wow Shin, you’re one lucky daydeee :) Gonna call you Parcchini from now on! The photos are all stunning, like real adverts the house might take if it wanted to show how ‘heritage’ it was :D love.
    xxx

  48. Laura
    July 14, 2011 at 12:24 am

    Wow what an exciting thing to be asked to look at. :)

    I love your blog it’s always so visually pleasing !

  49. Regan
    July 14, 2011 at 4:09 am

    I absolutely love the photographs you take. Always.
    What an exciting opportunity you’ve had with dior! Congrats on that :)

    Regan
    a-fashion-ado.blogpsot.com

  50. chrystal
    July 24, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Am a huge fan of your blog/photos/style and writing skill. you’re like a magical all-in-one package!

    Coincidentally I was in seoul frm july 7 to 14th too! and yeah bcus the internet was way too expensive i had to rely on free internet on my crappy phone (not iphone) every morning at krispy kremes.

    LOVED seoul though, would have loved to see your photos of seoul if you still had them. The cat cafe was beyond awesome though!:)

  51. fashiongeek
    August 9, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Mr Parcchini im waiving my hands in the air like i jst don’t care right now and its all your fault! The blog is jst getting better and better how what huh and more useless mumbling, me eyes cant squint anymore in amazement. (at this point you may pat your back from me)

    Till the next time Mr Parcchini

    http://fashiongeekchronicles.blogspot.com/

  52. PARK & CUBE » Worlds Apart
    June 1, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    […] for one.  See what I mean by world apart? These rare hotel treats spoil me rotten (last one at Hotel de crillon courtesy of Dior), but thankfully I’m usually back home in my Dalston warehouse-conversion flat before I even […]