A little inseason re-up from our bearded friend in Vancouver with Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods arriving today at Still Life For Him:

• Braided Leather Wallet Chain (available in black) - Hand braided kangaroo leather finished with waxed cord and solid stainless swivel snaps on either end.
• Classic Bill Fold (available in black, chocolate and natural) - 3/4oz high quality veggie tan leather, hand stitched with 2 card slots and 1 bill slot. A taller and narrower option than the shorter and wider New Bill Fold.
• Classic Key Fob (available in black and natural) - High quality 5/6oz veggie tan leather finished with solid brass swivel snap.
• Envelope Card Wallet (available in black, chocolate and natural) - 3/4oz high quality veggie tan leather, hand stitched and finished with engraved Ken Diamond snap.
• Skinny Key Fob (available in black, natural & cognac) - 5/6oz high quality veggie tan leather, solid brass swivel snap finished with engraved Ken Diamond snap.

Ken Diamond began to work with leather in the late 90′s and established Ken Diamond in 2003. The philosophy behind the works of Ken Diamond are simple: high quality leather goods with classic designs, entirely hand made in his Vancouverstudio. As leather work is a dying art, he works at keeping the traditions alive while using modern techniques to keep the work simple and minimal.

Manufactured in Great Britain, North Sea Clothing draws inspiration from the traditional sweaters issued and worn by the British Royal Navy through both World Wars. By the 1950s motorcyclists had adopted these warm, snug, exceptionally-manufactured sweaters to wear under their jackets as a fantastically effective way of keeping warm and dry in the British weather; North Sea Clothing is all about garments that are suitable "Whatever The Weather".

North Sea Sweaters are made in Britain using traditional practices and beautiful British wool. The wool used in their yarns are not washed prior to spinning, helping to retain natural lanolin which acts as a natural waterproofed agent perfect for life on a ship's deck, the British countryside, or the wet West Coast of Canada. Available now at Still Life For Him, The Expedition shawl-collared sweater is available in navy or ecru, finished with a brass shank anchor collar button.

In addition to the arrival of The Expedition Sweater from North Sea Clothing, we've also received The Explorer Wallet in a stunning vegetable tanned navy blue English bridle leather with two internal and one external card/cash compartments and The Bosun Key Fob made from the same vegetable tanned navy blue English bridle leather and strong navy or ecru cotton webbing with marine grade 316 stainless steel bow shackle.

If anyone was looking for a reminder as to how varied and unpredictable the weather can be on Southern Vancouver Island this past week was a shining example. We're proud to welcome North Sea Clothing into Still Life and eager to introduce this iconic British range to the men of Victoria, Whatever The Weather.

Over the years, Filson's philosophy has never changed: Make sure it's the absolute best. Clinton Filson spent a lot of time talking to his customers and refining his designs to their specifications. So it's not surprising that the items that worked then still work today, over 100 years since he started the company. Comfort, protection and durability never go out of style.

Filson has long been one of our favourite most versatile, rugged, and sought-after brands at Still Life. We've restocked in some of this winter's seasonal accessories ranging from Tin Cloth tote bags, duffle bags and umbrellas to heavy duty canvas and leather ruck sacks and briefcases, and classic Filson leather-bound flasks and Mackinaw Wool vests. Some of these items seriously flew off our shelves this past autumn/winter, so if you're feeling the press of the winter cold, swing by either shop and pick up some rugged Filson accessories.

Filson goods are still made and guaranteed in Seattle - available to take you through the winter at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

D.S. & Durga hand craft perfume and cologne in small batches using premium-sourced ingredients. They take inspiration from antiquated herbal wisdom, native ritual medicine, americana, outdated lore, geography, history, and gastronomy. While referencing the classics, D.S. & Durga strive to make scents appropriate for modern ladies and gentlemen of discerning tastes.

The company harkens back to the pre-industrial cottage industries of north america. D.S. & Durga literally craft, bottle, box, and label everything with their four hands. The processes are time consuming and low in yield - both factors that place quality of product far above quantity - a rarity today in the world of fine fragrance. In 2007, d.s. & durga began tincturing flowers, herbs, and spices, to make aftershaves and toners as holiday gifts for their friends in Brooklyn, New York. When they realized that none of their friends shaved, they started blending oils, resins, & plant extracts. The results were handmade perfumes & colognes and their friends loved the results, so they decided to make it official. Within months they were selling to boutiques in New York & California.

D.S. & Durga maintain a strong connection to their surrounding community. They share and collaborate with local artists, designers, and craftmakers - people involved in a movement of carefully crafted artisanal products. Each scent is presented complete with its own story and labeled with a unique batch code by the four hands of D.S. & Durga, appropriate for modern people of discerning taste.

Just in time for the holidays comes a very special (and very limited edition) version of the most popular Urbanears headphone: The Black Quilted Plattan.

This very special edition Black Quilted Plattan from Urbanears has been reworked with a little something extra. The Quilted Edition Plattan features a padded headband and comfortable ear cushions wrapped in a quilted material, much like the kind you'd find on your favourite jacket, just in time for the cold winter. Urbanears designers have created The Plattan to be the perfect classic headphone, utilizing innovative functions and performance with today’s technology. It is a full size headphone allowing for rich, secluded sound. You can fold it down to the size of your fist for maximum mobility. Plattan also comes with a “zound plug” on the earcap, allowing for a friend to plug in and enjoy your music.

The Black Quilted Plattan is only available in independent boutiques and is not available at any major retailers with only a set amount made available for the Canadian market. A terrific travel headphone, stay-at-home headphone or mobile headphone, this special edition Plattan will fit perfectly under the Christmas Tree of your most beloved audiophile. While supplies last the Black Quilted Plattan is available at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

Originally built for Swedish school children, the Kånken is the most well known and most loved of anything Fjällräven makes. The Kånken Original is the same today as when it was released 30 years ago - only today it is made in more than 15 colors to suit any individual style.

Beyond the simple functional design, the Kånken boasts the use of a unique textile, Vinylon F. While made from synthetic fibers, Vinylon F has the best properties of natural fibers. Fabrics conventionally used for backpacks need a coating in order to become water resistant and the coating wears out over time, making the backpack less waterproof. Not so with Vinylon F. Absorbing moisture better than any other synthetic fiber, Vinylon F swells like a natural fiber, thus making the weave denser when it's raining. This gives the Kånken daypack waterproof qualities by construction eliminating the need for a coating. Used for more than 30 years now, the fabric continues to prove its simple, durable, functionality year after year.

We began stocking the now iconic Fjällräven Kånken backpack in Spring 2010 and have watched as the company exploded upon the North American market with their flagship shop opening on Mott Street in New York City, officially bringing the legendary Swedish outdoor line across the water to Canada and The United States. With increased demand came decreased availability, but after meeting with Fjällräven representatives in October as they visited Still Life For Him & For Her, we were rushed a Winter 2011 selection of the classic Kånken Backpack, the Vintage 20L Backpack and the ultra-durable and brand-defining Oban Jacket (in Classic Black and Uncle Blue) at Still Life For Him.

If Fjällräven missed the chance to be your official back-to-school 2011 backpack this autumn, we have faith the range will find a good home for the winter and would even wrap up nicely to be tucked under the Christmas Tree this holiday season. Fjällräven Kånken backpacks are once again available in Victoria exclusively at Still Life For Him & For Her.

Since we've launched Still Life For Her and Still Life For Him as two separate locations in Victoria we've been finding ladies & gentlemen both coming in for full head-to-toe outfitting for autumn/winter 2011. Today marks the arrival of one of our favourite lines to make sure we're looking right (and feeling cozy) right down to our toes: Stockholm, Sweden's Happy Socks.

It started under the cloud-ridden April sky of yet another belayed Swedish spring in 2008. A vision to turn an everyday essential into a colourful design item and spread happiness. A rigid standard of ultimate quality, craftship and creativity. A concept brought to perfection by the Happy Socks collective of creators, most lately spotted in a 400-year-old, shrieking red cottage among cherry trees and berry bushes in a park located in the midst of Stockholm.

The Happy Socks collection features an almost endless variety of models and designs, crossing a wide spectrum of colour combinations, materials and textures. Simply put: a pair of high-quality socks for every occasion, mindset and style. Manufactured at a 30 year old, family-run factory in Turkey.

Ordering Happy Socks for autumn we tried to keep our conservative side in check with tonal stripes, solids and argyle patterns - but couldn't possibly ignore the wacky sock lover in us and also booked in some polkadots, transitional fades and leopard prints For Him & For Her. As the temperature continues to sneak downwards Happy Socks are prepared to keep your toes warm this autumn in Victoria; available now at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

Winter is coming... and Brixton Winter 2011 goods are now available at Still Life For Him & For Her.

Influenced by the So-Cal lifestyles they inhabit, the fine folks at Brixton have grown their brand from simply headwear & accessories to a full-scale retail fashion range offering cut & sew shirting, bottoms and outerwear to the rest of the world. Our first Autumn 11 delivery of Brixton goods For Him & For Her sold through fast, with knit toques and felt hats keeping our friends' heads warm while the zip-through vests and layering henleys kept them looking good.

This second delivery, the first from Brixton's Holiday/Winter 11 range brings additional Heist Toques and Hooligan Caps into both stores, as well as solid flannels, shirting and henleys for the men and Grace Infinity scarves and Portman felt hats for the ladies. All available styles are pictured above to the right, so take a look through, and watch the Brixton Holiday/Winter 11 video below to get a feel for the way Brixton operates.

Since revisiting Still Life's relationship with Seattle's truly iconic C.C. Filson Co. this past summer we have been inundated with requests for particular pieces from their wide range of products, and with the arrival of Filson Apparel and Outerwear this week we are proudly fulfilling the wishes of some of Victoria's greatest appreciators of quality goods.

A strong range of luggage, totes, briefcases and rucksacks arrived earlier in October, but today's foray into Filson Apparel is what has a lot of our Still Life For Him men excited. From Filson Deerskin Leather Gloves and Virgin Wool Mackinaw Vests to their Cover Cloth Weekender Coats, legendary Greenwood Wool Jackets and even the Mackinaw Wool Blankets we have gear for our rugged west coast men to stay a step ahead of the weather this autumn and winter in Victoria. Click through the images on the side to see all currently available styles.

Over the years, Filson's philosophy has never changed: Make sure it's the absolute best. Clinton Filson spent a lot of time talking to his customers and refining his designs to their specifications. So it's not surprising that the items that worked then still work today, over 100 years since he started the company. Comfort, protection and durability never go out of style. Filson goods are still made in Seattle - available for autumn adventures at both Still Life For Him & For Her.

Swiss-born Lisa Sabrier and New Zealander Carolyn Main aim to bring the forgotten art of knitting to a whole new generation with Wool And The Gang. Using only the finest self-sourced Peruvian yarn, their luxe knitwear line re-imagines everything from classic sweaters to contemporary wardrobe pieces in wool.

Arriving in Victoria this past week at Still Life For Her, Wool And The Gang offers a phenomenal collection of unique knitting kits, created by fashion lovers who are fashion and jewellery designers, actresses, models, dj’s, singers, artists, writers. Wool And The Gang knitting kits (and the accompanying online video tutorials) will get even the most novice knitter on the fast track to knitting warm, cozy wardrobe staples from top quality wool, produced deep in the heart of the Peru’s Andean Highlands.

Wool And The Gang is the story of a family, a know-how transmitted to the next generation, re-invented, self taught, a bond between gang members, a gang of knitters, guys and girls from 7 to 77 years old, all tied together by a piece of yarn… Knitting has never been more glamorous, simple and a unifier of fun and pleasure. Join us, feel at home, welcome to Wool And The Gang - available now at Still Life For Her.