Kit and Ace Expanding in Vancouver and Worldwide

Vancouver retailer Kit and Ace is growing at a rapid pace, and that’s just fine with the Wilson family

Kit and Ace, home of “technical cashmere,” is destined to become another Vancouver-based retail success story. The Gastown store is incredibly welcoming, with warm shades of ash wood, copper and royal blue, set against an airy, open space that feels more comfy loft than sales-driven retail. Tying it all together is a large communal table in the centre of the store, which serves as natural gathering place for both staff and customers.

The laid-back vibe might be attributed to the store’s founders: Shannon and JJ Wilson, wife and son of Chip Wilson. Best known for Lululemon, Chip Wilson has been a forecaster of ahead-of-the-curve retail trends long before Lululemon became de rigueur.

First came Luon, Lululemon’s signature technical fabric. Now it’s the Age of Qemir (pronounced, “come here”), a proprietary cashmere blend that’s machine-washable, designed by Shannon. If you love ultra-soft, high-performance, low-maintenance, beautifully (but subtly) tailored clothes, you’re in luck.

Vancouver Retailer Kit + Ace is Opening Second Location in Kits

With the quiet confidence that comes from dominating global retail trends for decades – and knowing they have another winner on the way – the family behind Kit and Ace can afford to be gracious with its entry into the fashion world and aggressive with its growth.

The Gastown store opened only last July, and the next Vancouver location will open in Kitsilano (2235 West 4th Ave) on July 1, 2015. But in between, Kit and Ace has already launched in six other cities: Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, New York and San Francisco. And there are plans to open in 10 more North America locations by the end of the year, including a rumoured opening in Hipster Central, Shoreditch, London.

Aggressive, yes? But when you come from the Wilson pedigree, doors open and customers flock.

Not Your Basic Basics

Kit and Ace should definitely be your first stop if you’re looking for basics. But take a closer look and you’ll see that every piece, even the humble T-shirt, has thoughtful design features that help transform wardrobe basics into fashion workhorses. Simple yet highly effective darts and tucks strategically placed on every piece mean that shirts curve in (and out) at all the right places and even shorts take on a subtly tailored silhouette. And if the fit is not quite right, alterations are complimentary (as is monogramming).

Technical Luxury

Not everything at Kit and Ace contains cashmere (although it feels like it). Light, silky blends that include viscose and elastin ensure even cashmere-less items are kitten soft. Even its new line of shirts made from a crisp cotton suiting is considerably softer than anything else you’d normally find.

The one thing almost everything on the floor has in common, though, is that all items been pre-shrunk, are machine-washable (and many machine dryable) and don’t have to see the inside of the dry cleaners. Shirts start at $68.

Needless to say, these are dream pieces for travel: comfortable, packable and sink-friendly for those inevitable emergencies.

What’s to come? Keep an eye out for a new line of intimates for men and women, as well as swimwear.