Aubin & Wills Blog

A LITTLE SPOT BY THE SEA The summer sun has finally arrived, the...

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:50:27 +0100

A LITTLE SPOT BY THE SEA

The summer sun has finally arrived, the shorts are on and the Pimms is going down nicely, so what better time to take a trip to the seaside? And what better seaside than Southwold, Suffolk where we will be opening the doors to our lovely new store on Saturday.

With all the time-honoured features of the quintessential British seaside town- lighthouse, beach huts, pier and, of course, a sandy beach, Southwold ticks all the boxes for the perfect weekend out of the city.

And if the weather doesn’t hold, this quaint heritage coastline has more to offer than just ice creams and donkey rides. Tucked amongst the dinky cafes and souvenir shops is the Electric Picture Palace, a 68 seat hayloft-come 1912-style cinema. Boasting an authentic Tiny Wurlitzer organ, the Electric Picture Palace rivals even our Aubin Cinema for the most stylish film watching experience. On Saturdays the ‘Manager’ introduces the film, in true 1912 style there’s an interval complete with ice-cream girls and a performance from the Organist who rises through the stage floor to play a tune. To top it all off, at the end of the film there is always a rendition of the national anthem with appropriate colour footage of the Coronation.

Our new Southwold store is open from this Saturday 26th March, 94 High Street, Southwold, IP18 6DP. Join us from mid-day for drinks, sweet treats and more…

Three Cheers for 60 Years! Come the Jubilee Weekend whether...

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:53:00 +0100

Three Cheers for 60 Years!

Come the Jubilee Weekend whether you’re street partying or fluttering a flag up the Mall, make sure you celebrate the Queen’s happy and glorious 60 year reign in style with this little regal flourish from Tatty Devine and Aubin & Wills. Our new five-piece collection with Tatty Devine is available in store now. Crown Necklace, £18.

BLUE ROSE CODE - ON TOURThe latest update on “the tempered...

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:44:04 +0100

BLUE ROSE CODE - ON TOUR
The latest update on “the tempered highs and eye watering lows of getting a record out and touring it, playing festivals and trying to keep it together” from Ross Hoon of Blue Rose Code.

Mind a-blur and memories ablaze, we wheeled back into London over a week ago following my 23 date tour of the UK. As up as Inverness and as low as Lewes, I had a time to be remembered, make no mistake. Playing to new crowds, all over the country, often people that’ve never heard your music, gives you the Kevlar carapace needed to express yourself freely and enjoy the concerts with the audience.

Liverpool and Norwich being my highlights, we’d played the Liverpool Philharmonic five days before our Aubin & Wills instore in the city. The store gig was thronging with people who’d come down to see what was occurring and have a grand time enjoying the good beer and Aubin cupcakes. Following a trail of sweaty clubs and venues, it was a pleasure to play in more unorthodox surroundings.

You know, London gets a bad rep but it’s wonderful to be home. Inside these city walls there maybe trouble and strife but there’s also a real acceptance of, almost an indifference to idiosyncrasy. It’s like, “just fucking get on with it, I’m busy!” I’m back on Telegraph Hill and I’m contented, writing in the mornings and walking the dogs, rehearsal and performing in the eves. Beats workin’.

Returning to the studio in Somerset next week to finish off the album and on Thursday 17th of May we’re playing an instore at the Aubin & Wills on Albert Street in Brighton. Come for 7pm, there’ll be drinks and, I’m sure, some cupcakes.

Slainte mhath, Rx

FILM REVIEW Goodbye First Love Showing from tomorrow at the...

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:05:00 +0100

FILM REVIEW

Goodbye First Love

Showing from tomorrow at the Aubin Cinema, Goodbye First Love (or Un Amour Jeunesse for the linguistic elite) is the latest release from critically acclaimed French director and screenwriter Mia Hansen-Løve (The Father of My Children). A poignant journey through the anxiety-laden minefield of young love, heartbreak and self-discovery, Goodbye First Love is a subtle and true exploration into a universally complex issue, whilst thankfully avoiding the pitfalls of indulgent introspection and melancholia that films of this nature rarely escape. With a joyful abundance of visual and aural treats, and a beautiful performance by Lola Créton as Parisian teenager Camille, gut wrenching heartache has never looked so lovely. A must see this Bank Holiday weekend.

For full times and listings visit the Aubin Cinema HERE

TRACK OF THE WEEK Breathe Out, Champion This is a cheeky little...

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:55:00 +0100

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Breathe Out, Champion

This is a cheeky little ruckus of a tune from our favourite band du jour, Breathe Out. We may be biased (two of the four band members work for Aubin) but we think they are rather good! Champion is their latest single and you can catch them playing it live tomorrow in our Covent Garden store from 7pm. Pop along for some complimentary drinks and a little perusal of the Summer collection. See you there!

RSVP: coventgarden@aubinandwills.com

SATURDAY FILM CLUB: THE A-Z OF THE BEST OF BRITISH AUBIN CINEMA...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:54:00 +0100

SATURDAY FILM CLUB: THE A-Z OF THE BEST OF BRITISH

AUBIN CINEMA TICKET GIVEAWAY CARRY ON CAMPING (5th May, 4pm)

From today until Thursday, via our Twitter account, you can get your hands on seats at the Aubin Cinema for our Saturday afternoon ‘Best of British’ screening of Carry on Camping:

Starring Carry On regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor this classic follows a deluded group of campers who band together to rid themselves of the hippies planning an all-night raver next to their site.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is reply @aubinandwills and @aubincinema with an answer to this question ’Over the years, which British film should have won an Oscar and didn’t?’

Hello, Philippe! Meet Philippe Malouin, award-winning designer...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:52:00 +0100

Hello, Philippe!

Meet Philippe Malouin, award-winning designer and our summer campaign model

Since graduating from prestigious Dutch Design Academy Eindhoven in 2008, Montreal-born, London-based Philippe Malouin has quickly become one of the design world’s most sought-after rising talents and he’s modeling our summer collection.

Absorbingly passionate about design and seemingly oblivious to the height of his own success, Philippe offers up name after name of the designers he admires; Giò Ponti, Carl Andre, Donald Judd, Frank Stella, Joe Colombo, Vico Magistretti. Calling it ‘the biggest cliché in the world’ Philippe attributes his greatest inspiration to the work of Charles and Ray Eames, ‘they are the insane masters of shape, texture, form, style and proportion and above all they conceptually invented things,’ this passion and playful sense of invention weaves in and out of Philippe’s own sleek, modernist designs. Despite not feeling like he strongly adheres to any particular aesthetic, one recurrence is his fascination with subverting conceptions and experimenting with materials, ‘I like really complicated things that look really simple or really simple things that look really complicated,’ an approach that won him this year’s Wallpaper Award for the Yachiyo Rug, made from tiny metal loops which took over 3,000 hours to assemble. Paradoxically he isn’t swayed by the sense of making something overridingly design innovative or beautiful, it all comes down one simple rule, ‘there’s no point in making something ugly- if you wouldn’t have it in your house then there is no point in letting it leave the studio.’

Philippe’s personal style is very stripped back and effortless, he dresses all in black; skinny jeans and t-shirt, and his home is minimalist, ‘I’ve slowly started collecting the furniture that I’ve always wanted, mostly Eames,’ describes Philippe ‘only the good stuff should be out and everything else stored away.”

This year is set to be the biggest yet for Philippe and his team, with a string of highly anticipated collaborations; including one with world-renowned Danish textile designer Kvadrat, plus in a few months Philippe and his team are being presented with ‘a very coveted prize’ in Milan. Endearingly modest in the face of accolade, the first thought that comes to Philippe’s mind on receiving this news is ‘see dad, I’m not messing about!’

Find out about our womenswear campaign model, Rosemary Ferguson HERE

STUART SEMPLE ON iTUNES Our humble brag of the week is on...

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:05:00 +0100

STUART SEMPLE ON iTUNES

Our humble brag of the week is on behalf of our friend and collaborator, Stuart Semple. Outside of curating the Aubin Gallery, Stuart has been busying himself with a special project which has launched today making him the first artist ever to make his work available through itunes. For only £7.99 you can own a wonderful digital package brimming with music, art, comics and film. Find out more HERE.

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Jessie Ware, Running Ok, so it isn’t...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:56:00 +0100

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

Jessie Ware, Running

Ok, so it isn’t Orthodox to post two ‘Tracks of the Week’ back to back and in the same week but we just had to share this track. Jessie Ware’s amazing new single ‘Running’ has been playing on repeat in both its remixed and stripped back form; we’ve selected the latter for your delectation. Think slow-mo disco with romance, soul and a bit of a Sade vibe, it oozes class. We later made the fantastic discovery that lovely Jessie used to work with us at our Selfridges concession! We are very, very proud.

BLUE ROSE CODE STORE TOUR Fallen in love with the beauty, heart...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:05:00 +0100

BLUE ROSE CODE STORE TOUR

Fallen in love with the beauty, heart and skill of London-based folk outfit Blue Rose Code? Now is your chance to come and see them perform for us live. Later this month they will be giving us a taste of their eagerely anticpated album ‘North Ten’ in our Manchester (26th) and Liverpool (27th) stores.

RSVP ESSENTIAL: manchester@aubinandwills.com or liverpool@aubinandwills.com

TRACK OF THE WEEK High Highs, Horses This dreamy...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:56:00 +0100

TRACK OF THE WEEK

High Highs, Horses

This dreamy folk/electronica offering from Brooklyn based High Highs is the latest track to accompany our seasonal video, which if you haven’t already seen you can check out HERE. It’s subtle, beautiful and perfect for a chilled out summer playlist.

BRITISH COLLABORATION: RIZ BOARDSHORTS We met up with...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:20:00 +0100

BRITISH COLLABORATION: RIZ BOARDSHORTS

We met up with gentleman’s swimwear designer Riz Smith in his West London studio, 200 miles away from his favourite Devon beach, to talk about surfing, dad shorts and his latest collaboration with yours truly. Watch the film to find out why these swim shorts are the ones to own this summer.

Shop Riz Boardshorts HERE

BLUE ROSE CODE - ON TOUR

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:06:36 +0100

I write to you from the back of the tour bus. It’s a few days into my UK tour and we have already visited ‘Empire’ in Liverpool and ‘Band on the Wall’ in Manchester. Great fun gigging in the North of England as there’s such a rich culture of supporting live music and a real appreciation of new music.

Before hitting the road, I had spend the last couple of weeks in the Outer Hebrides, on the Isle of Lewis, writing and rehearsing for the upcoming month of concerts. It was a real treat to escape to London’s antithesis for the stillness. On a clear day the beaches on the Western Isles are like those in the Caribbean, albeit twenty degrees colder, and to smell the sea and feel the Westlin’ winds is a remedy for any ill.

During the tour we’re playing a couple of Aubin & Wills instore back in Manchester (26th April) and Liverpool (27th April), so I invite you to come out and see the band play. We’ll be doing some new songs, written in Scotland’s wilds, and I look forward to performing in a more unorthodox venue.

Slainte Mhath,

JOHN SMEDLEY FOR AUBIN & WILLS We’re utterly taken with the...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:42:23 +0100

JOHN SMEDLEY FOR AUBIN & WILLS

We’re utterly taken with the silky smoothness and laid-back luxe of the Barberry Jumper, which hit stores this Spring. The Barberry is the latest in a series of collaborations between Aubin & Wills and traditional British manufacturers, this time with heritage knitwear brand John Smedley.

Founded in 1784, John Smedley has been family-owned since Day 1 and still manufactures the vast majority of its products in its original factory, which sits at the heart of a World Heritage Site nestled in the Derbyshire countryside. It maintains long-standing partnerships with a range of local businesses, including spinners, sign-makers and button-suppliers.

Not all good things come from England’s mountains green, though, and so John Smedley’s Sea Island Cotton, from which our beautiful Barberry jumper is woven, is sourced from further afield. Hand-picked in the West Indies, Sea Island Cotton fibres are extra-long, and produce a strong fabric that rivals cashmere in its softness. A fine-gauge knit means that the Barberry is also as supple as silk, making it the ideal for a cool summer evening. The new Red colourway is now available with our Summer collection.

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Two Gallants, Steady Rollin’ To...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:38:00 +0100

TRACK OF THE WEEK:

Two Gallants, Steady Rollin’

To celebrate the Two Gallants coming back from the dead we have dusted off this 2006 hit - IT’S AMAZING. A refreshing slice of gritty Americana blues with a story to tell, perfect for a sunny day - now just imagine you’re sat on a bale of hay.

SATURDAY FILM CLUB: THE A-Z OF THE BEST OF BRITISH AUBIN CINEMA...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:52:00 +0100

SATURDAY FILM CLUB: THE A-Z OF THE BEST OF BRITISH

AUBIN CINEMA TICKET GIVEAWAY BLACK NARCISSUS (7th April, 4pm)

From today until Thursday, via our Twitter account, you can get your hands on seats at the Aubin Cinema for our Saturday afternoon ‘Best of British’ screening of Black Narcisuss:

Consistently name checked on every ‘100 Best Films’ list, Black Narcisuss is an unsettling adaptation of Rumer Godden’s nuns-in-peril novel loaded with Powell and Pressburger atomsphere and a career best performance from Deborah Kerr.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is reply @aubinandwills and @aubincinema with an answer to this question ‘Which actor or actress encapsulates Britishness for you and why?’

Hello Rosemary Ferguson Check out our summer campaign model....

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:09:00 +0100

Hello Rosemary Ferguson

Check out our summer campaign model. Darling of the 90s supermodel ‘Brit pack’, Rosemary Ferguson was discovered as a fresh faced 15 year old in McDonalds by fashion photographer, Corrine Day, who she went on to regularly model for alongside fellow muse and friend Kate Moss. Married to polemic artist Jake Chapman, Rosemary’s super-stylish East London wedding was featured in Vogue, for which she has also graced the cover.

SOFAR SOUNDS What better way to experience the stripped back...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:49:00 +0100

SOFAR SOUNDS

What better way to experience the stripped back sound of real music than from the comfort of your own living room? In this case, from the comfort of someone else’s living room…a studio flat in Hackney crammed full of musicians, writers, artists, and fans - all music enthusiasts awaiting an evening quite like no other. There are just two rules at Sofar- you must not talk during the performances, and you must stay for all the music. These are not hard to abide by when you are presented with the enchantingly gentle sound of Emily and The Woods, the haunting harmonies of To Kill a King and the flying hill country blues of Jonny Grave, as well as performances from Willy Mason, Will Knox and one-to-watch Jay Brown. For whoever said the music industry was in trouble, Sofar Sounds is the antidote. Find out more here.

Photo: Hugo Ellingham

LITERARY SALON 29.03.12 Spring is springing all around: gently...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:42:32 +0000

LITERARY SALON 29.03.12

Spring is springing all around: gently nodding snowdrops, a slowly improving economy and a new year of boutique literary salons at Aubin & Wills!

The next Aubin & Wills Salon is Thursday March 29th 7pm-8pmish at Westbourne
Grove with the usual delicious free drinks and the usual delicious free people.
We’ve got two cracking guests: Jonathan Lee and Mark Forsyth (AKA The Inky Fool). What links them both is joy, sort of.

Joy is the central character in JOY but that’s presumably not what she’s feeling as she plummets forty feet to a marble floor while addressing her colleagues in the Square Mile. A witty and shocking exploration of the build-up to and impact of the, er, impact forms the core of Jonathan Lee’s fascinating and insightful novel. Did I mention this will be his VERY FIRST reading from it? Lucky you.

Joy is to be found on just about every page of THE ETYMOLOGICON. The number one bestseller takes us on a quirky journey through the hidden connections between words: why are all Christians cretins? What does shooting pool have to do with chickens? Why is black really white? Some are obvious, most are not and all are enlightening. Mark Forsyth guides us merrily through his maze of words.

Hosted by your Salonierre, Damian Barr. Free as ever and that’s just him.

Where: Aubin & Wills store, 188 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH. Seating for around 40 and lots of standing room.

When: 7pm till 8ish, Thurs 29th March 2012

BRIGHTON BOOK CLUB On the last Thursday of every other month our...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:03:00 +0000

BRIGHTON BOOK CLUB

On the last Thursday of every other month our lovely Brighton store staff will be hosting their very own book club. The first will run on Thursday 29th March from 6:30PM-7:30PM, with guests discussing ’ Perfect Lives’ by Polly Samson. If you are in the area and partial to some high-brow literary discussion of an evening, RSVP to brighton@aubinandwills.com.

Damian Barr says of Perfect Lives - “Of course, the lives depicted in these interlinked short stories aren’t perfect at all. But the writing is. Set mostly in and around Brighton we meet a range of curious and often troubled characters.”

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Refreshments will be provided.