Park & Cube | Bally

21st December 2016

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photography & words SHINI PARK created for BENTLEY and BALLY

…like something out of a comic book in blue and red

Our drive from Geneva’s airport, along the namessake iridescent lake and through the spirited town of Vevey (only to stock on road nibbles, first-aid medicine and cash) right up to the foot of the Grimselpass was done in near-absolute silence. Not a single tune filled the Bentley Flying Spur W12 S, conversation tapered to pensive grunts, and after a while, the only sound in our rolling chamber was the gentle clicking noise of the turn signals. Even the inbuilt GPS, perhaps sensing something sacred, signalled silently but earnestly with her animated arrows. Without telling each-other so, my husband and I had been busy soaking up the innate luxury of the car, silently fingering seat controls and grazing the graceful lines of the athletic dashboard with our eyes. The scent of new leather permeated the car, reminding of the freshness of the journey.

It was only when I pulled over at a lay-by at the base of the pass, delicate snowflakes melting on the gleaming hood of the purring Flying Spur, when the excitement kicked in. We started the climb, all windows down, Bluetooth paired, blasting the James Bond medley as we heard a waterfall roar somewhere in the distance. 52kms down, 921 to go. Our sprint through the Alps was to be short but resolute, in scaling heights and documentation. But as ever, when it comes to Bentley, I – the driver – am the sidekick.

Copy in this feature is a revised adaptation of the Bentley Magazine Issue 59 article.

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Swiss Air

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A string of hairpins up a mountainside to a sleepy village, with almost no traffic at all, does it get any better?

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We were chasing the point where the rain was still snowflakes.

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Where to stay? Grimsel Hospiz, its fire-brick red shutters pronounced amidst a medley of snowy whites, greens, and rock-face greys.

Its façade like something out of a Wes Anderson flick. It’s as remote as it gets, perched atop Grimselsee reservoir, with views that make you reconsider the one night stay. The kind of place where, in winter, the snow is piled high and the hot chocolate and ratatouille lasagne dinner, the things you wake up for. Stay at least 3 nights, if you can afford the time.

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Hotel Grisel Hospiz
Grimselpass, 3864 Guttannen, Switzerland
+41 33 982 46 11
www.grimselwelt.ch

Wearing: All Bally Apres-Ski resort

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Sean Connery in Goldfinger (1964)

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The Flying Spur W12 S is like a modern sculpture, gliding by mountains of solemn might, hailing similar ideals of strength, timelessness and endurance.

Wearing: All Bally Apres-Ski resort

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Kitzbühel: Where to stay? The Bentley Lodge is a homely, wooden, Austro-Alpine bliss, swathed in all the necessary fluffy carpets and branded woollen blankets.

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Bentley Lodge Kitzbühel
Franz-Reisch-Straße 21, 6370 Kitzbühel, Austria
+41 33 982 46 11
www.bentleymotorslodge.com

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973 kilometers (603mi), one short flight into Heathrow, and four keen weeks later, the five-page feature is available in Bentley Magazine Issue 59.

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Style

No Ragrets

20th September 2016

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creative direction SHINI PARK photography assistance SIMON SCHMIDT in collaboration with ZALANDO

Dress – POLO by Ralph Lauren. Bustier – Fenty PUMA by Rihanna. Bag – Louis Vuitton.

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top FENTY PUMA BY RIHANNA skirt GLAMOROUS

True story: In August we shot a story for a one-pager print feature (coming to newsstands near you come October – more on that later), which involved a few extra bodies in the studio than usual. You know, stylist, hair & makeup, light people, sandwich people, champagne and massage people…etc, the whole jazz. Halfway through look two, the theme of the shoot was determined: COULD WE TRY AGAIN THIS TIME WITH SHINI’S DAMN LEGS CLOSED, because apparently this harlot kept posing with her legs wide open like it’s peace sign.

Glasses – Ferragamo. Dress – Lavish Alice.

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right: FENTY PUMA BY RIHANNA skirt GLAMOROUS boots J.W.ANDERSON

But here’s the dealio kids: posing like a d-bag, or Mrs Duke Nukem, makes one feel powerful, confident, brave even. Zalando, you asked me – how does fashion help be who I want me to be? Uncross your legs and look straight in the lens – send that glare down the barrel, let it parkour up the internal mirrors and poke the cameraman’s eyes while growling I’VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL. This will genuinely help getting past any insecurities, trust me. You’ll be able to wear anything and feel confident in anywhere. Like Fenty in a ballroom in South of France. Or don’t fit in. Alas, imperfections make the best charm.

No ragrets.

Top – 3.1 Phillip Lim. Trousers – Just Female. Heels – Bally.

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Style

Ring leader

15th August 2016

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creative direction SHINI PARK editorial assistance SIMON SCHMIDT in collaboration with FARFETCH

above: top J.H. ZANE bag SAVAS white dress GHOST

Ask me ten years ago if I’d like a bag version of that bus handle I’d gotten to know so well – the circular, plastic reminder that once again I am on the late bus to school and we are one violent swerve away from swinging smack right into someone’s wet armpit. (My glasses would have permanent stains from arm-pubes during exam weeks) If you’d asked me then, I’d have raised an eyebrow, nay, even laughed, at the prospect of a bag that looks like a bus handle ring.

Seemingly, it takes exactly one decade for body cells to turn over, metabolism to slacken, for awkward ideas to become… well frankly, awesome. While my grip on the ring of SAVAS clutch take a familiar, ferocious grasp that one 18-year-old’s good morning relied on, it’s a heck of a stunner – a statement, even. Goes with practically everything, but best seen with puffy, foamy layers and monochrome co-ords as worn in this digitorial for Farfetch.

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Top & bottom – BACK. Boots – Bally. Bag – SAVAS via Farfetch

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below: blouse J.H. ZANE dress FERRE VIA NORDIC POETRY bag SAVAS

above: jacket J.H. ZANE dress GHOST bag SAVAS

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Top – JWon. Velvet culottes – Versace via Nordic Poetry. Shoes – Proenza Schouler. Bag – SAVAS via Farfetch

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Style

In the navy

28th March 2016

Tailored Coat – La Redoute x Carven. Trousers – Stylenanda. Heels & belt – Bally. Bag – Vintage. Scarf – La Redoute

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creative direction SHINI PARK photography assistance SIMON SCHMIDT in collaboration with LA REDOUTE

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Coat – J Lindeberg

Tom of
Colours

Perhaps the most shade superior of them all…

Navy calms me. By this I mean Navy the colour and not Navy the maritime armed forces teeming with ripped men in uniform (gasp) amongst an assortment of heavy waterborne vessels. Although, I could also consider the latter as a go-to when the going gets tough and all the other shades exasperate me. (If not that, then at least the uniformed parking inspector on my road?) (the lollipop lady??)

I digress.

Silk scarf
La Redoute

Ring pouch
OTAAT Myers Collective

Tailored Coat
La Redoute x Carven

Les 4 Ombres eye palette
Chanel

Block-heeled sandals
La Redoute x Carven

Zipped cropped-top
La Redoute x Carven

Touche Eclait
YSL

Dry oil
Mauli Rituals

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Top – La Redoute. Flares & Coat – La Redoute x Carven. Blue cashmere tube-top – Mandkhai

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While the name indeed originates from the midnight blue as worn by soldiers of the British Royal Navy since 1748, to my sartorial purpose navy blue is a ‘safe’ colour, a colour that says “I got this” and pays the bill, the Tom Hiddleston of colours. It might not boldly jump fences, nor would it take you for a night of bar-hopping (there’s a whole other slew of hues for those activities), but you can bet on it when you’re packing for a week-long trip and all you can take is a carry-on and a silk scarf. It probably even has a British accent.

The fact that the La Redoute x Carven collaboration is sports-luxe done in said Tom Hiddleston after Tom Hiddleston just makes it incredibly difficult to choose from, but here are some of my favourite navy blue staples. The fact of the matter is, navy goes with just about any colour, so I suppose it’s all down to you being the Scarlett Johansson, or Sasha Grey, if you will. ;)

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Digitorial

The Automatic

18th December 2015

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The

Autom

atic

the lasting faces of fleeting moments:
a photographic essay

creative direction SHINI PARK photography & styling TEAM PARK & CUBE in collaboration with Larsson & Jennings

Shoes – Bally.

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To don a watch is to wear a miniature black-hole at your left, or right, sleeve – a cleverly disguised little weapon that brings a micro-second of chaos as the wearer, after having so deliberately employed her wrist and peeled back the sleeve of her Equipment blouse, DOES NOT REALLY REMEMBER THE TIME, and checks it again. My relationship with my watch is as such – made up of singular moments amidst a flurry of activity, as our faces mirror eachother’s, and our eyes meet, just as you would with your best friend in a house party of sorts, that micro-second that says nothing but tells everything. And perhaps the real purpose of consulting your watch for the time is not for the very data itself, but a nod to the smaller moments that go undetected.

The second hand glides around the jet-black lake of the Larsson & Jennings The Automatic, newest series to the family and an upgrade to the cult models that has been dominating the instaworlds on wrists of taste-conscious millennials. The watch is silent but packs a punch – even its refined, golden arms dance with intent, even in the smaller moments I’ve decided to photograph for this story.

Top & Skirt – Rejina Pyo

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06:00

…perhaps the real purpose of consulting your watch for the time is not for the very data itself, but a nod to the smaller moments that go undetected.

Blazer – 2ND DAY. Watch – Larsson & Jennings ‘The Automatic’

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Top & Skirt – Rejina Pyo

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The Automatic is the older sister I never had. The one that has a degree in political science, looks flawless at all times (#Iwokeuplikethis), and yet knows how to rock a tune at the family Christmas gathering. We found this amazing flat on Airbnb, and spent one day idling in corners where the soft winter light trickled through the blinds; occasionally looking at the Automatic, but never registering the time.

Exclusive to the series is also the deployment clasp, Swiss AR-coated crystal sapphire glass and the date calendar functionality of a 21 jewel ETA 2892.A2 mechanical movement. Available directly from Larsson & Jennings stores and a small number of selected partners.