Sharing the Dior story

One of my work highlights this summer was interpreting at an exclusive, invite-only showcase of Dior’s iconic J’adior slingbacks, hosted at Selfridges for the fashion house’s VIP clientele.

I was interpreting for a talented Italian artisan, Catia, who had travelled from her workshop in Venice to demonstrate how she painstakingly crafts each pair of shoes. Watching Catia at work is utterly mesmerising, and I love helping to share the story behind the product with clients.

Dior has always felt like a perfect match for me. I’m enchanted by the brand’s heritage and the devotion to craftsmanship that lies behind every shoe, handbag or dress.

This event was particularly fascinating for me as I own a pair of J’adior shoes myself, which I bought as a treat after I interpreted at Dior’s grand reopening event in London following the pandemic. So I know exactly how exquisite these shoes are – and how effortlessly empowering they feel. Slipping them on is an instant confidence boost!

Dior’s events are always a pleasure to work at. Not only because they’re such elegant affairs, but because I truly feel part of the team. I’ve worked with Dior for many years. While the artisans may change, many of the same clients return time and again — so I’ve become a friendly, familiar face.

It’s a great example of how interpreters can help brands create a warm, welcoming atmosphere at client meetings. We support sales teams by helping them connect with clients and build genuine rapport.

Need help at your next sales event?

Interpreters, have you got your Interactio badge yet?

If you’re an interpreter working on remote or hybrid events, you might want to apply for your official Interactio Badge. It’s a new quality certification created by the remote interpreting platform.

The badge is designed to help clients recognise experienced interpreters. To qualify, you’ll need to have completed:

• Verified compliance with Interactio’s quality assurance and technical standards
• 15 successfully interpreted meetings on Interactio
• A live Interactio interpreter training session
• An approved Interpreter Profile (ISO-compliant evidence on education, affiliations, and language proficiency, and competencies check)

A bridge between cultures

As a native Sicilian, I was excited to hear that plans have been approved for a suspension bridge – the world’s longest – between Sicily and mainland Italy. After decades of discussion but little progress, it now looks like the bridge may finally be built.

It will be game-changing for the island’s residents, who currently have to rely on a ferry service. It’s not a long crossing, but booking tickets, boarding and disembarking all add time and hassle to every trip to the mainland.

The news reminded me of what I do every day as an Italian interpreter: act as a bridge between cultures. When I’m supporting a business negotiation or interpreting in court, I’m ensuring that communication flows clearly and accurately from one side to the other. It’s not just about interpreting words, but the often subtle meaning behind those words and how they’re expressed.

Just as building a bridge requires careful planning, finding the right interpreter to help you cross cultural divides also requires careful consideration.

My agency, One Stop Interpreting Solutions, specialises in sourcing exceptional interpreters for high-level assignments.

I personally select professionals who are not just fluent in their languages, but who also bring cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and absolute professionalism to every job. My clients trust me to provide interpreters who can handle demanding, high-profile assignments with calm and confidence – and I only work with the best.

If you’re choosing an interpreter for an important assignment, here are a few things I recommend looking for:

• Graduate-level qualification
  ​Look for someone with a degree in interpreting from a recognised university.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience
  ​Qualifications are just the starting point – it takes real-world experience to interpret confidently in high-pressure environments. That’s why I only hire interpreters with at least a decade of professional experience.
• Sector experience
  ​Do they understand your industry and terminology?
• Membership of a professional body
  ​Full members of bodies such as CIOL or ITI must meet stringent professional standards and carry out continuing professional development to keep their skills and knowledge fresh.
• Flexibility & problem-solving skills
  ​Assignments don’t always go as planned, so adaptability is essential. If a technical hitch means you need to switch from simultaneous to consecutive interpreting, for example, will ty be willing to do this?
• Collaborative attitude
  ​Is your interpreter happy to work as part of a team?
• Positive reviews & online presence
  ​Look at their website and social media to get a sense of their presentation and personality, and whether it fits with your brand. Do they come across as polished and professional? Testimonials and case studies can also offer useful insight into their working style.

If you’re facing the challenge of finding the right interpreter or translator, I’d be happy to take care of it for you. Just give me a call or send an enquiry via my website and I’ll get back to you straight away to discuss your needs.