Kit and Ace
IndustryRetail
Founded2014
FounderShannon Wilson
J. J. Wilson
Headquarters
Vancouver, British Columbia
,
Canada[1]
Number of locations
4 (2022)
ProductsTechnical apparel
OwnerJoe Mimran
Frank Rocchetti
David Lui
Websitewww.kitandace.com
Kit and Ace flagship location, Water Street, Gastown, Vancouver
Kit and Ace, Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London. This location has since closed

Kit and Ace is a Canadian clothing brand.[2]

History

Kit and Ace was founded in 2014 by Shannon Wilson, former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica, and her stepson J. J. Wilson.[3]

The company was founded to sell machine-washable cashmere wool clothing and accessories.[4] The first store opened in July 2014 in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood.[5]

In 2015, the brand opened retail stores in the US, the UK and Australia.[6]

In September 2015, the company installed shop-in-shop cafes from Toronto-based Sorry Coffee Co. in its London and Toronto stores.[7][8]

In April 2017, Kit and Ace closed all its international stores, focusing on e-commerce and its eight Canadian shops.[9] Hold It All Inc., a Vancouver-based company, owned the brand until the end of August 2018.[10]

In 2018, CEO George Tsogas acquired it from the company's founders and changed the brand direction creating apparel that is Smart, Easy to Love, and Made to Last on a mission to Amplify Optimism in the world.[11]

In November 2019, Kit and Ace opens its first West Vancouver location in The Village, Park Royal.[12]

In December 2020, Kit and Ace returns to Edmonton opening a new location on Whyte Ave.[13]

In June 2022, Kit and Ace opened a new location on Queen Street in Toronto.[14]

In July 2023, Kit and Ace was acquired by Unity Brands Inc. under the ownership of veteran retail executives Joe Mimran, David Lui and Frank Rocchetti.[15]

Awards

In 2018, the Navigator pant was selected as part of the "Ultimate Travel Gear" of 2018 by enRoute Magazine.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Form 10-K – lululemon athletica inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. March 29, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Our Story | Kit and Ace". www.kitandace.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  3. ↑ Korstrom, Glen (July 16, 2017). "Kit and Ace co-founder JJ Wilson spins out new business ventures". Business Vancouver. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  4. ↑ Brogan, Jacob (2015-12-17). ""Technical Cashmere" Is a Hot Fashion Item. It's Not the Fancy Material You Think". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  5. ↑ "How Kit and Ace plans to become the Lululemon of streetwear". www.canadianbusiness.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  6. ↑ "Kit and Ace steps up international growth with Lululemon founder..." Reuters. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  7. ↑ Tomlinson, Ashley (February 28, 2017). "All Apologies: Toronto's Sorry Coffee Company Inside Kit And Ace". sprudge.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ LaRose, Lauren (3 September 2015). ""Canadian retailer Kit and Ace expands". The Star.
  9. ↑ Wills, Andrew; Strauss, Marina (April 26, 2017). "Clothing chain Kit and Ace closes stores outside Canada". The Globe and Mail.
  10. ↑ Kit and Ace lays off some head office staff, closes international stores The Canadian Press April 26, 2017
  11. ↑ "Kit and Ace mails a dose of optimism to shoppers". Strategy News. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "Park Royal | West Vancouver". www.kitandace.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  13. ↑ "7 pieces from Kit and Ace that will make for the coziest winter | Curated". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  14. ↑ "Queen Street West Kit and Ace | Curated". kitandace.com. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  15. ↑ "Vancouver clothing retailer Kit and Ace bought by company co-owned by Joe Mimran". Vancouver Sun. July 5, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ Chabot, L. M. "The Ultimate Travel Gear of 2018". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.


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