Tagged: aw2011

We don't aim to be music critics or experts at Still Life, but we know what we like to hear, we go to concerts of our friends and favourites and we buy the albums we know we need when they're released. With the help of the new and expanded Ditch Records & CDs location up on Fort Street we were able to add to our vinyl collection at the stores better than ever in 2011. Here is a recap of some of our favourite releases this year, albums you very likely heard playing on loop at the stores or stripped for parts, carefully crafted into seasonal playlists.

Despite expanding into two locations for the last half of 2011, plenty of albums found their way onto the iPods and record players at both Still Life For Him & For Her. It was easy to work through an entire day before realizing we'd been listening to albums like Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Destroyer - Kaputt and James Blake - James Blake on repeat for eight hours. Other albums including M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation, Washed Out - Within And Without and Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming may not have got to "full-day re-play" status, but made our stores feel like home as soon as the first note came through the speakers.

Albums For Him: The fun of having a menswear specific location to start the AW11 season with was not lost on our music choices. Albums like Dirty Beaches - Badlands, Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On, King Krule - The Noose Of Jah City and Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo got repeat listens within the walls at 551 Johnson Street while maybe not quite as many spins at Still Life For Her across the street. Turning up the volume on classic rock, soul and hip hop staples also helped make the Still Life For Him space feel a little more comfortable for our guys.

Albums For Her: A new store with a new feel meant new music to get our ladies comfortable in the newly opened Still Life For Her back in August. While there were plenty of crossover hits at both locations, albums like Adele - 21, Feist - Metals, Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes, tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l and even Beyonce - 4 had our some of our new staff at Still Life For Her setting the mood themselves in new location with their favourite albums.

After Hours Jams: One thing a passerby may notice about Still Life For Him & For Her if you happen to walk by at 9:30PM on a Thursday night is that the music coming from the store is generally decidedly different (and louder) than what you heard earlier in the afternoon at the store. If a crew of staff was at the shop receiving product or pricing goods this year you were fairly likely to hear something from Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne whereas depending on the specific combination of staff working late you'd be more likely to hear something from Lana Del Rey - Video Games EP, A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP or Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra blasting through the windows. Not albums we'd necessarily play throughout the day, but definitely a few tracks from these albums made their way onto our playlists.

Lastly, a huge shoutout to our friends & family that worked so tirelessly to put together another absolutely phenomenal event in Rifflandia IV this year! So many amazing shows, so many of our close friends, and such fantastic venues! We can't wait to be kitted up in our Tretorns and Native Boots again next September stomping around the Lounge at Royal Athletic Park!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year Victoria! Lots of love from the crew at Still Life For Him & For Her! See you in 2012!

Grandiose Lab is a collection of premium all natural products for the home. Inspired by unconventional beauty. All items are made with the highest quality ingredients and handmade in Vancouver, British Columbia.

With subtle grapefruit and green tea scents, these beautifully crafted all natural goats milk base soaps have been molded into unconventional shapes (skulls, teeth, brains & guns). We've also received all natural unbleached beeswax candles with cotton wicks that come in vintage military canteen cups with subtle naturally sweet beeswax scent.

The perfect stocking stuffer for the person on your list who either "has everything" or "hates everything". Grandiose Lab is now available at Still Life For Him.

Victoria, We're trying to make it easier for you this Christmas, we really are. It's hard enough shopping for yourself sometimes so trust us we know how difficult it can be shopping for the nearest & dearest on your (ever expanding) holiday list. We're giving you a break for Christmas 2011: The Official Still Life For Him & For Her Holiday Wish List & Gift Guide! We've compiled the following Gift Guides to inspire those who are too busy to even think of where to start with gift giving; But at the same time we've drafted this while carefully considering what you want for Christmas, so this can also act as a Wish List for you (you deserve it, you've been good this year and these are some of your favourite things, right?). Print this Gift Guide/Wish List out, copy the link and flip it across to someone with some hints via Facebook or Email.

For Him. He's probably picky about what he's wearing. And maybe he doesn't like to go shopping and pick out shirts & sweaters or try on new jeans. But you could always save him some time and yourself some of the hassle and let our Still Life Men help you sort out something perfect to make your guy look as good as he should:

• Chunky Shawl Neck Sweaters: Without question the coziest and most inviting items in the store the past few months has been the chunky, shawl collared wool sweaters from some of our strongest menswear lines (Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Dunderdon & Velour). With a curled masculine neck, strong leather buttons and chunky open knit these cozy sweaters make ideal Christmas presents for the man on your holiday list.
• Nudie Jeans Co Backbone Tees: Maybe you're not looking to pick him up a brand new pair of premium denim for the big day, but how about a super soft, organic cotton basic henley tee, long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve from his favourite Swedish denim brand, Nudie Jeans. They look great paired up with his best pair of raw denim and if you're sly enough about it you can even snag one and wear it yourself - these tees are seriously soft.
• Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods: Offering a range from simple vegetan leather belts, keyfobs, wallets and cardholders to super special crepe-sole moccasins, leather backpacks, beer kozys and notebook cases, all Ken Diamond Quality Leather Goods are handmade by Ken in his Vancouver studio. Any guy in need of a new belt or wallet that has a tendency to wear his goods hard should appreciate anything from Ken Diamond.
• Winter Gloves: Fred Perry & Filson are two brands the business of constructing quality apparel, accessories & sundries. From warm merino wool gloves to buttery-soft leather driving or work gloves, these two legendary menswear lines will keep his hands soft & warm.
• Brixton Toques: These classic knit toques sell out every single year and we still have guys coming in with cold heads throughout January & February. We're not trying to tell you what you have to get for your guys, but seriously, we have almost a dozen different colours of these toques, come grab two or three different ones and he'll thank you for it.
• Magazines: Every Christmas as far back as we can remember there was a magazine or two rolled up and stuffed in the stocking hanging above the fireplace. If he's more of a global culture, design & politics man you can grab him the newest edition of Monocle Magazine or you can let him know how great you think he is with this season's Fantastic Man Magazine.

For Her. No matter if She is your sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend, fiance, wife or best friend forever - our Still Life Ladies can help you narrow out your decisions with that perfect, sweet and ideal gift for the lady in your life (think of all the times she's been there for you - she's definitely worth it):

• Hansel From Basel Tights: It's not getting any warmer anytime soon. Hansel From Basel is a Los Angeles based knitwear and hosiery range that does cute and cozy tights she can wear under skirts and dresses through the holidays (or under denim if she really can't stand the temperature drop).
• Only Hearts Lingerie: A super special, secret and sexy lingerie line made in New York City. She very likely hasn't seen these bra & panty sets before since they've debuted exclusively at Still Life For Her this autumn. Wrap them up nice and give them to her with a kiss and you'll surely get a peak of how they look.
• Canadian Made Jewelry: Erika Lauren Designs are made right here on Vancouver Island with traditional west coast inspirations sold exclusively in Victoria at Still Life For Her. Designed and produced in Toronto, this season's Biko Jewelry collection is inspired by darkness, boldness, tribal elements and outer space reflected in the juxtapositions of dark leather, fish-scale chain, and glittering raw stones. Both collections come in as affordable, unique jewelry designs she'll wear close to her heart for a long time.
• Natural Cosmetics: RGB Nailpolish and Ilia Lipcare make perfect stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts if you have a price cap. Affordable, high quality and naturally made cosmetic lines with a direct influence from the fashion and design world.
• Quality Leather Goods: Two very close friends of ours Erin Templeton & Ken Diamond both produce quality leather goods in studios based right across the water in Vancouver. Ken Diamond's new women's range offers simple and braided leather belts along with a super sweet braided leather noose necklace with feather detail. Erin Templeton's designs pull from vintage and deadstock leather sources resulting in one of a kind, ultra soft leathers constructed into backpacks, handbags, purses, clutches and wallets.
• Wool & The Gang Knitting Kits: Heading home for the holidays or taking time off to get away from work, school & the grind? Keep her cozy by the fire with these unique and very giftable Wool & The Gang knitting kits. Included in these all ready wrapped packs are gorgeous wood knitting needles, super soft Peruvian wool and simple to follow instructions on creating unique toques & scarves to stay warm all winter.
• Magazines: Let her escape the hustle & bustle of the holidays between the pages of some of the most inspiring fashion and design magazines in the city. Currently available For Her are three UK published fashion, design and culture magazines. Oh Comely has editorials, interviews and photography inspiring from across the pond best read with a cup of tea under a cozy blanket. Featuring ambitious journalism and photography of the highest quality, The Gentlewoman magazine celebrates inspirational, international women through its distinctive combination of glamour, personality and wit. And finally the very collectable, limited run UK fashion magazine Lula is thick as a book, haunting as a fairy tale, and will look quite lovely sitting on her coffee or bedside table

For Him or For Her.

• Happy Socks: We're going to go out on a limb and suppose that every single person on your list wears socks. Chances are they don't have socks in leopard or zebra print, black & white polka dots or navy & yellow stripes... Without question the easiest and most popular stocking stuffers this holiday season are Sweden's Happy Socks.
  
• Urbanears: All ready a perfect gift for the audiophile on your list, Urbanears have released a very limited, special edition Quilted Black Plattan Headphone for Christmas 2011. Chose from these sleek black models or from our wide range of seasonal colour options, these are quality, well-styled, well-made headphones for everyone.
• Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks: The Kånken Original Backpack is the same today as when it was released 30 years ago - only today it is made in a range of colours to suit any individual style. Perfect for the student, commuter or adventurer on your list.
• Filson Luggage & Accessories: Guaranteed to last a lifetime, you (or someone you love) might as well have the best. Heavy duty canvas backapcks, briefcases, luggage & totes are finished with full grain bridal leather made in the historic Filson Factory in Seattle, Washington. Available, and ideal, For Him & For Her.
• Score+Solder Terrariums: Everyone on our payroll has been strongly hinting at wanting one of these incredibly magical, unique & beautiful terrariums from Score+Solder handmade on Pender Island. For the greenthumb on your holiday list, or just someone who appreciates design, detail & craftsmanship.
• Native Jimmy Boots: It rains in Victoria; unfortunately even over the holidays. Designed by young, creative brains in Vancouver, Native Shoes Jimmy Boot has been this season's go-to rainboot for all our friends & family. Available in a range of colours at both locations, even the snoopiest Christmas lover won't be able to guess there's a pair of boots inside this super lightweight box.
• Gift Cards: If even after reading through a comprehensive Holiday Gift Guide or after your loved ones have printed out and highlighted their favourite must-have Wish List items for the holidays you still can't make a stand and decide on a gift... There's Still Life For Him & For Her Christmas Gift Cards. Available in any denomination applicable to any item in either of our two locations, these will never expire and can be used on Boxing Day, Valentines Day or St Patricks Day.

For Frankie Magazine #43 it’s all about originals and individuals: people who push the envelope (and might get the occasional paper cut). There’s a lady from Christchurch who won’t let her city’s continued rumblings get in the way of her boutique dreams, a chat with maverick director John Waters, a Queensland painter who’s quit her day job to let art pay the rent, some music lovers who’ve started their own pirate radio station and an Australian diplomat who conducts peace talks with a guitar.

PLUS a very special jam recipe and one-off Frankie stickers to pop on your jars once you’re done, a waltz through the history of flowers, lots of pretty fashions from our favourite local designers and all the usual laughs, crafts, arty bits, musical goodness and – for our biggest ever issue – more nice stuff than you can shake a stick at.

Frankie is a national bi-monthly based in Australia, aimed at women (and men) looking for a magazine that’s as smart, funny, sarcastic, friendly, cute, rude, arty, curious and caring as they are. Frankie is dedicated to celebrating music, fashion, art, craft, photography, and pop culture’s quirkier aspects.

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.

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.

Monocle is a global affairs magazine and website founded by Tyler Brûlé, a Canadian journalist and entrepreneur. Described by CBC News reporter Harry Forestell as a "meeting between Foreign Policy and Vanity Fair", the magazine provides a globalist perspective on international affairs, culture and design. Hamilton Nolan, editor for Gawker, describedMonocle Magazine as "a lifestyle magazine for young, stylish, business-oriented jetsetters".

This month, the Monocle team offers a special report on the future of food retail, from neighbourhood markets to large-scale chains actually doing good things. They look at the changing world of the diplomat, and visit the places and businesses on the up, from Batumi to Berlin. Along the way they interview collectors, publishers, designers and politicians - and have lunch with a maverick in Provence.

Local note: Congratulations to Mark Brand, his wife Nicole and the entire Save on Meats crew from Vancouver, featured favourably on the cover and inside of this issue of Monocle!

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.

Filling in the jewelry display racks at Still Life For Her this week, Biko has arrived from Toronto to get our girls dressed up and looking good gearing up for the holiday season. A stunning variety of necklace and bracelet styles make ideal gifts for best friends/girlfriends/sisters or yourself. Available now are styles (all pictured to the right) from her sub-collections within the Biko family: Little Instruments, Girl's Club, Boy's Club, Cluster Necklaces, Strange Magic, Bracelets and Pendants. Click through images to see all available styles and get a feel for the brand with this behind-the-scenes video.

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.

One of the most special arrivals of the season was hand-delivered by the designer himself this afternoon with a winter selection of Score+Solder Terrariums.

A traveling gypsy, Matthew Cleland makes his beautiful Score + Solder Terrariums by hand on Pender Island off the West Coast of British Columbia. With a flask in one and a soldering iron in the other, Matthew magically creates one of a kind pieces of art with skills past down through ten generations at his home on Pender Island, BC. We had the pleasant opportunity to meet with Matt and his partner Julia to discuss the placement of Score+Solder Terrariums at Still Life For Her when they visited Victoria in October; it became a chance meeting where we found something truly special and unique that we hadn't realized we were looking for until we saw it walked in the door and landed in our hands.

Handmade glass and lead free soldered terrariums. Made to order and exclusively available in Victoria at Still Life For Her. Score+Solder Terrariums comes with quartz, rocks, activated charcoal and soil and have been thoughtfully planted for Still Life by Matt & Julia with moss and succulents. Truly inspiring, magical and wonderfully unique pieces of art, Score+Solder Terrariums would make an ideal holiday gift for anyone on your list or would add magic and beauty to any sunny corner of your home.