Bag, shoes, Wallet by Louis Vuitton (available at Harrods); Hat – Hoss Intropia (similar).
There’s something inexplicably frustrating about city life that promises infinite freedom yet binds us with such firm tempo that one foot out the line can seem deadly. I should know, my off-tempo singing in the shower have caused many a neighbour to abandon the building. It takes a certain kind of bravery to wake up one morning and deciding, instead of going down to fetch coffee and the newspaper, to pack a decent-sized bag and leaving everything familiar, to escape.
Now, I personally cannot pride in being one of those ultra-brave-hearts, my own little departure ripened over some weeks of first, flirting with the idea, then some scattered hours here and there to mold a general plan in place. All it would need is a breath of life. Mostly, I was dying to shoot a travel piece, and wanted to work with a brand that I love and equally treasured Travel as part of their DNA. Coincidentally, Louis Vuitton had just launched a shoe-only boutique in Harrods Shoe Heaven, and it was the perfect starting point.
The Art of Escape is all about finding an enabler, whether it be an object or person. Mine was a good friend, Brian Leavy of Born Explorers, who knew the wheel and the road; and Louis Vuitton, a small selection of handsomely-crafted shoes that I believed appropriate to escape in.
It’s my hope that this story will encourage you to find your own enabler, and experience your own little escape.
Supported, but not sponsored, by Louis Vuitton;
Photography – Shini Park & Brian Leavy; Art Direction & layout: Park & Cube.
Luggage and boots – Louis Vuitton; White jeans – 7 for All Mankind (Similar)
Luggage and coat – Louis Vuitton
There is no better feeling than gliding down an open road with the muffled sounds of the outside lapping against the windshield. It’s a bit like being back in the womb actually. Only if it had an umbilical hose for breakfast…
Sunglasses – Louis Vuitton
Coat, Sweater, Luggage, shoes – Louis Vuitton (available at Harrods); Jeans – DL1961
While I don’t trust myself with a full cup of coffee even when stationary, you must agree that breakfast always tastes better reading/watching something. In this case, the scenery between London and Oxford, it’s got a good plot…
Call in advance and book, if possible, but a table tends to free up quite quickly if you don’t mind having a wander around the grounds. Brian claims that the ½ Woolley Park farm chicken with lemon mayonnaise is life-altering. My beef sirloin is satisfying on a similar level.
Brogues – Louis Vuitton (Available at Harrods)
Coat. bag – Louis Vuitton; Top – Zara
City of academia, and dream to many aspirational tweens and Asian mothers alike. Also known for filming ground for Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry.
Walking aimlessly can actually be a decent tour strategy in this city. Make sure to see Christchurch, Bodlian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and tea on the roof of the Ashmolean museum.
Brogues – Louis Vuitton; Jeans – James Jeans
Sure, it’s a disappointing notion, but make it something that’s as important as the journey out. Take an exit from the motorway and explore the country roads a little, park by a bit of land and turn off the engine for a while.
I’m not immune to the idea that this escape will not last for very long in my mind once I re-join the ranks in the city, but for now, I savour these few days – or weeks, hopefully – of calmer seas.
All Louis Vuitton shoes are available at Harrods Shoe Heaven
Gorgeous photos!
http://www.internetlyaddicted.blogspot.co.uk
Holy crap, Shini. My jaw just dropped. The layout, art direction, and writing is sooo spot on!!! THIS IS PERFECT. By far, one of my favourite blog posts of yours. Woman you are incredible. Hands down. I had to switch to full screen to fully enjoy my viewing pleasure LOL.
sartorialust.net
Holy crap, Shini. My jaw just dropped. The layout, art direction, and writing is sooo spot on!!! THIS IS PERFECT. By far, one of my favourite blog posts of yours. Woman you are incredible. Hands down. I had to switch to full screen to fully enjoy my viewing pleasure LOL.
sartorialust.net
You’re without a doubt my favourite blogger & I do enjoy every single one of your posts (pretty sure I’ve gone right back through your archives & read every single post) but THIS, is now my favourite post ever. So stop blogging all those pieces about contemplating stopping blogging because they are actually scary (possibly the least liked posts?) & keep producing amazing content as always. I actually wish you posted more!
TFM BLOG
This post is breathtaking, I’m just sitting here scrolling up & down going “I can’t even”. You are so talented!
Your creativity just blows my mind! Loved this post so much!
Wow these pictures are absolutely surreal! Hope you had a lovely day in Oxford..
These pictures are so great! Incredible job, I LOVE it!
great photos, I would love to have an escape like this… i really love your blog!
http://www.streetblush.com/
the layout of this post is insane. i’m not even a big fan of LV, but you rocked those pieces, especially the shoes and coat…needless to say, you looked gorgeous and I really enjoyed reading this.
VISIT / 13 FRIDAYS
WOW this is an exceptionally beautiful post. definitely kicks my wanderlust into hyperdrive!
fantastic capture!
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
Wauw! Love it!
Truly incred Shini!
Love it
NRC ♥
amazing layout of the post. and the content is wonderfully dreamy!
http://wideseanoanchor.com/
I got no words, the pictures are beautiful and the post amazingly written! Thanks for sharing x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
The idea, the pictures and the art direction are amazing!
Such an inspirational post
Shini, your pictures are SO inspiring. You craft every post with such love and care – this inspires me to work on my photography & blogging a lot more.
Much love!
Honestly, this is one of the most beautiful laid-out blog post I’ve read in sometime now. Thank you.
i think this is my favourite shoot of yours ever, so inspiring!
becky :: accooohtrements.wordpress.com
These photos are so beautiful- I love the editing on the moving ones, so brilliant.
xo Camilla
Into The Fold
Lovely story and your flat is amazing. We need to see interior photos too. X
Beautiful pictures – amazing post as always! The luggage and sunglasses are so gorgeous!
Best wishes :)
http://themultiplechoice.blogspot.com
Hi,
I’m just here to say you have the best blog in the world.
<3
These photos are amazing. I am completely taken- it is like going through a LV magazine.
X
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
Positively brilliant. No other words, you are a genius at layout (and at HTML, apparently).
This post is so mindblowing, you’re so talented ! Really one of my favorite post EVER, and by far.
Love the story you and the photos tell. Amazing!
http://www.FashionSnag.com
So so so pretty. Everything about this post is beautiful and perfect and I love that the leaves are moving, your feet are wiggling, and all the LV pieces are stunning.
You keep surprising me, I love it!
Love, Rachel
http://www.herheadintheclouds.com
Awesome post! Idea is wow!
http://www.hannovrfashion.com
How over-used is the word inspirational – no but seriously it’s warranted in this instance. Having to upgrade to multiple screens over here for full effect. Also, is Instagram telling me you only went yesterday? If so, you have made serious turn-around-time (maximising clock changes). You go girl. Sophie
I just loove your blog Shini!
every post, every photo is just so perfect.
Thank you for doing this things.
Such fantastic photos! And those cinemagraphs look amazing. I saw the Jaguar parked in front of the building picture on your instagram and I’ve been looking forward to the full post, and now it’s here, and exceeding all my expectation as well:) xxx
Great job you talented lady:)
Gloria
http://it-is-sweetchili.blogspot.co.uk/
The most magical post I’ve ever seen! So amazing and full of creativity! Amazing job!
X
Joy. | justlikesushi.com |
beautiful story Shini! can almost hear that Jaguar purr….
I love this post and your gifs…I need to learn how to do this!!
http://www.inmydreams.ca/
Its may be the evidance of a great day out.
Thanks.
http://www.thestyleworld.com/
Nice Places. This will be amazing to visit this place with a car.
Thanks.
http://www.thestyleworld.com/
escaping with an f-type and louis vuitton? wow
AMAZING
x
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
I absolutely loved this blog post! The photos and layout are so lovely! You’ve completely made me want to escape to the countryside.
Loved the little cinemagraphs you put in throughout, great writeup.
우와 이번 포스팅은 진짜 기분 좋은 포스팅이네요:-) 사진들도 너무 좋고, 구성, 내용 진짜 삼박자 고루 갖춘 것 같아요!ㅎㅎ
I’m actually giving you a standing ovation right now.
WOW ! These are pretty amazing. xox
Nadine
http://www.theflamboyante.com/
oh my goodness, your posts are SO beautiful! Lovely to see your escape as it was so enchanting :) x
Oh my god Shini. I am in complete awe. This post is just incredible. So lost for words right now, dammit you are so talented. Swoon!
Wow, what beautiful pictures!
Really beautiful post ! I’m in love with the photos ! Guess you had lots of fun with Brian ! ;-)
I love the car. The is not a single car which has a name that is just so fun to say :).
‘The JAG’…
I am always in two minds over the LV luggage. On one hand there is nothing that symbolise the idea of travel quite like LV, but since every WAG and every wana be (in no way I am referring to Shini. I think everyone knows whom I’m referring to, but just to be clear!:)) felt the need to purchase one it also became one of the symbols of tackiness…
http://www.7moreminutes.com
This is a wonderful post. You capture the country-side as beautifully as you do London city. I’m also enjoying the GIFs very much.
This is, far most, one of my favorite posts.
By FAR the best blog post I’ve ever seen. Well done Shini; so inspiring! x
You have most definitely mastered the art of traveling, and looking fabulously awesome cool at the same time. Such a nice ride and amazingly captured visuals! Been missing in following your blog for a while, perhaps this comes at a great time to get back onto the track again! But always been loving your blog because you have stunning visuals!
Thanks for sharing a piece of your heavenly well crafted and planned post! I love that little gif movements in your visuals, it gives them a touch a whimsical and weirdly funny sense of feeling *_^ Happy happy feel.
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Jeann
Wow, incredible imagery here! love those partly gif’s. Gorgeous!!
xx
http://stinemo.com
Incredible dark brown boots!
Lots of love, xx
http://www.marysreturn.com
http://www.marysreturn.com
How utterly captivating! It has a Vogue pages feel to it.
Ana
http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk
Shini, I read your blog since 2008, while my days of fanatical fashion blog following have phased out along with growing up, I find myself wandering back to your blog every now and then. And everytime, I admire your beautiful photos, impeccable style and unique sense of wit.
Concurring the above comments, this post, is certainly by far my most favourite post. Thank you Shini for inspiring many of us who are busy hustling through our lives. I have bumped into you at Topshop Oxford Circus once but did not say hi. Should I have the pleasure to meet you, I would tell you how much I love reading your blog!
Lih
your blog is really special! never seen something similar. gorgeous!
http://godblessthesun.blogspot.com
Such a wonderful escape!
http://www.eatwearwander.com
What a wonderful website. I find myself coming back to read post in archives, there’s much great stuff.
Ana
http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk
This is the most creative post I’ve seen to date. Love the photos and what a great way to share the details of your travels.
http://norulejuststyle.wordpress.com/
I’ve been missing Oxford a lot lately, and I keep running across pictures of it online… yours are lovely! Have you gotten the chance to visit the Vaults & Garden Cafe in Radcliffe Square? It’s so cozy, with wonderful food! :)
– K
I can not explain how much I adore this!! Absolutely blown away!!
http://www.amillionpinks.com
[…] innovative use of GIF images also shows off her advanced […]
What a great reading! and this little dream-alike animation fits perfect!
Nice flow visually and editorially~ and adding these subtle dream-alike animations fits perfect! Really enjoy dropping by~
Gorgeous pictures…makes me want to visit London again!
Marj
These are awesome GIFs! Hope you and your beau had an amazing day Shini <3
Love,
Elisabeth
from http://kunstgeist.dk
This is incredibly inspirational
[…] post The Art of Escape appeared first on PARK & […]
Very stylish pictures.
http://www.kelyashoes.com
Wow, marvelous weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The entire look of your website
is wonderful, let alone the content material!
[…] Damn I miss living in London. Not only for the city but for escapes like this. […]
I think this is the best outfit/brand/travel (or however you want to call it) post / editorial I ever seen on any blog. Or to be honest, this tops any high end magazine editorial. Amazing. So much creativity. Perfect photography. Again, amazing job.
Fabulous 30s
[…] · Seoul · Paris · Thailand (part 1 | 2) · Florence · Turkey · Berlin · Oxford 3/ Kiss my ass, Eczema A knuckle duster solution I am dying to […]
[…] http:parkandcube.com/escape-london/ […]
I’ve been following your blog for years, you inspired me to blog and take great pictures and just treat myself to more quality stuff. I still remember when you replied to one of my comments back then (years back) and I was like, wow bloggers like this can really be “real people”. hahaha
This is by far my favorite post layout wise you have ever done and although I mostly lurk here, I had to comment! It’s amazing to see your favorite blogger evolve so much and do such amazing work <3
just sending some love!
Great photos! :)
Just amazing!
[…] photos: 1-9to5Chic / 2-Jean Stories / 3-Park & Cube […]
[…] another escape, although this time more an escap-ade, with Alice Gao of Lingered Upon, to celebrate her first time […]
the F-Type is awesome and only complimented by all the LV clothes and accessories. This car is a dream (can I have one in red please) and already thinking of surprising husband with a weekend rental for his 40th.
You are a wizard in photoshop, the cinemagraphs were fab, have not see you use them before so that was a great surprise. I’ll echo the comments of everyone else, the layout is dreamy, your work is inspirational for everyone who blogs seriously.
Jenny @seasonsincolour
http://www.seasonsincolour.com
[…] weather, but the next time I’m in London in warmer conditions, I am definitely doing a London road trip a la Shini Park from Park and […]
You transported me straight into a countryside daydream — your storytelling and photos are absolutely magical. I love how you captured the calm, earthy charm just outside of the London bustle. It’s amazing how a short escape can feel like an entire reset. Thank you for the inspiration — adding this spot to my weekend getaway list!