Style Details
Dress | ZARA (Similar here, here & here)
Shoes | SIGERSON MORRISON (Similar here & here)
Handbag | SAINT LAURENT (In other colors here & here)
Sunglasses | DKNY (Similar here, here & here)
Days leading to the season between summer and winter where english landscapes are gradually transformed into vibrant hues of gorgeous red, orange, or yellow as end-of-the-season leaves start falling evocative of autumn, I got the chance to explore south east England a little bit in the vivid city of Oxford in the a county town of Oxfordshire. It was the kind of day where we went not really having any set plans and instead just allowing the day to unfold before us as we relaxingly delved into a new city. We started the day surveying the treasures inside Britain’s oldest museum, the Ashmolean Museum, and later on found ourselves traversing deep into the town. Before knowing it, here we are, at the center of the most iconic filming locations of the emblematic Harry Potter film series. For someone like me who kind of grew up with it, this experience was everything. The Harry Potter Series symbolized innovation and totally led the way for a new trend to emerge in the film industry. Its story also had all the elements of what an epic feat would be like. It had the archetypical details that make a rewarding tall tale — humble beginnings, witty storylines, impeccable character development, a strong solid finale and unlimited cinematic appeal. It allowed viewers to indulge in their imaginings a bit and envision themselves part of the world of Harry Potter — a fictional world of wonder, wizardry and magic.
As you can expect, realizing we were at the heart of it all and triumphantly seeing Hogwarts’ Great Hall for the first time in perfect execution was an accomplishment in my book. The magnificent Bodleian Library in Radcliffe Square, a building with a large circular room & a spectacular dome, contains two Potter Places namely Duke Humfrey’s Library where Hogwarts’ Library scenes were shot and the Divinity School where Hogwarts’ Infirmary scenes were filmed, as well as Goblet of Fire dance lessons. Named after Sir Thomas Bodley, Bodleian Library or the Bodley for locals is actually the fundamental research library of the University of Oxford dating as far back as the 16th century. The atmosphere around was quaint and charming. Across the grandiose architecture of the library lies a charismatic café called Vaults and Garden which I am looking forward to experiencing on my next trip to Oxford.
I walked across Christ Church meadow, a tranquil pasture that leads up to the location where Harry and the new first-years enter Hogwarts and are greeted by Professor McGonagall. This scene was shot on the 16th century staircase which leads up to The Great Hall where we had the privilege to see and ascend to. The cloisters in Christ Church where diversified corridor scenes were filmed are also noticeable and looks exactly as if they were first built 1000 years ago. It is here that Harry is shown the trophy his father won as a seeker in Quidditch. Finally we see Christ Church College’s Dining Hall which was almost exactly replicated in the film studios to create Hogwart’s Hall. Substantial location filming for Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets materialized here. In the courtyard, we saw school kids in a double formation as if immitating the daily grind of one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (or perhaps the proper statement is that conceivably Hogwarts imitated them). As anticipated, a number of visitors busted out their cameras pointing it at the disturbed kids as if they were some Hogwarts mascot as their school uniforms definitely looked it. At dusk we saw Hartford Bridge, also called the Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs, similar to the one in Venice. Although not in a Potter movie, this Bridge over New College Lane is a distinct location for an illustrative Oxford shot.
Amidst all the escapade, I somehow sensed that my visit to this place was quite symbolical. Pertaining to thoughts on Harry Potter allowed me to be contemplative on how far I’ve grown since the very first Potter movie, much like all the characters in the film. I think it is important for us to recall and recollect our own journeys and adventures in life and to continue reassessing our missions and vocations. Sometimes I find it more fitting for our souls to move forward with a childlike heart — bravely trusting, positively unaffected, valiantly spontaneous and independently optimistic. I am grateful for the opportunity I had this day to get a whit of cue from Harry Potter who in his modesty allowed his determination to blossom naturally in a quiet yet resolute confidence.
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