As the title of this alludes to, we are at the House of Dior. Which, is not, in fact, a house, but a shop, and a very nice one at that, being completely new and just opened yesterday and all. It’s on New Bond Street, so that is where we find ourselves, Phoebe and I, looking slightly less than Dior, due to unfortunate weather conditions. Well I am. I’m wearing a white shirt that says slightly disgruntled secondary school student. Phoebe is wearing a ruffle and I’m into it. Anyway. Inside. Shiny. Blindingly, beautifully shiny. A hall of mirrors. Which is a little unnerving. Not because they do not look fabulous (they) do, but mostly because both Phoebe and I share a strong distrust (hatred) of our own reflection. It looks expensive. The pile on that rug. Phwoar. Would they mind if I took off my shoes and rubbed my stockinged feet across it? Probably. Anyway, no time – the store’s a monster, over four levels, as we are told by very lovely Dior PR team, who, considering last night’s Blenheim Palace Cruise extravaganza, are looking glowing. So – a quick walkthrough. First, jewellry. Briefly. “Jewellry makes me nervous,” says Phoebe. We retreat. Next, fragrance. Oh, look, it’s Peter Marino, talented architect man behind the store. He’s saying something about “adding more product” which sounds very important so we leave him to it, though I leave with such thoughts as – can I pull off leather bullet-proof vest, matching hat and trousers? Probably not. I’m already a little… sweaty. On to the garden, which smells like jasmine, and is filled with Dior home products, which Phoebe and I duly ooh-and-ahh over. Never have I had such feelings over a glass carafe. Is this love? Then upstairs, upstairs – “welcome to shoe heaven” says very nice shop assistant, which is very much the truth, then on to rooms of clothes, clothes, beautiful clothes. It is at this point that we realise we perhaps have had a small attack of some sort and need to lie down. Too. Much. Beauty. Thank Dior for this rather lovely silver chaise longue. Can we stay?
