Kit and Ace, the new lifestyle apparel company launched by JJ and Shannon Wilson, officially opened its Gastown storefront last night.
In case that last name rings a bell, yes, they are the son and wife of Chip Wilson. While the brand has no official connection to the lululemon founder, Wilson Sr. was proudly in attendance for the jam-packed event at 151 Water St.
Looking good was the dress code (literally), and if you hadn't obliged, you would have taken one look at the line and hurried home to change. That said though, the Kit and Ace representatives sprinkled through the crowd sporting the soft, clingy styles from the début collection, blended in seamlessly with the well-heeled guests.
That's a sign that the "technical cashmere" tees and tanks do exactly what the creators set out to achieve: Make clothing that fits with a "full contact lifestyle" without sacrificing luxury and design.
From the discrete logo placement – the rectangular symbol that acts as the ampersand in the name sits tucked to the side – to the darting up the back that gives each piece some shape, to the scalloped hemlines on the extra-tall offerings, the shirts can easily take you from an active day to a more upscale night.
Women’s tees (with a “proprietary” blend of nine per cent cashmere, 10 per cent elastane, and 81 per cent viscose) cost $68 to $98, while the men’s cotton options are around $84.
The spacious store is a retailer's dream, with a comfortably large cash and changing room area to the rear and lots of room to work with for displays. The store itself might not push the design envelope for the area, but its clean colour palette and bricks-and-beam heritage minimalism allow the statement art pieces to really draw you around the room.
Large copper sculptures, the classic lululemon-esque sewing lab in the window, oversized light fixtures, and a rotating art wall anchor the space, while a smattering of mannequins hammer home the idea that you can never own too many comfy shirts. Vancouver is the first of several showrooms expected to open, and the design elements will be unique to each location.
Where the space is a serious study in casual luxury, though, the name is a playful counterpoint. 'Kit' and 'Ace' are the company muses; everything the designers (including Elizabeth Davey of obakki fame) create is done with the imaginary girl and boy in mind.
The Wilsons weren’t granting interviews until next week, but the brand has implied they have "big plans for the future". For now, though, they just make T-shirts.
Kit and Ace designer Elizabeth Davey with friend Graeme Berglund.
A floral centre piece anchored the large bench table at the centre of the room.
Friends Jacqui Karls, Hayley Gusola, Mariel Armstrong and Lauren Armstrong attended the opening of Kit and Ace July 30.
A large wall across from the store entrance is reserved for rotating local artwork, such as this piece by Andy Dixon.
Chip Wilson at the opening of Kit and Ace.
Mixed in with the guests were store employees modelling the various T-shirt styles.
Kit and Ace is located at 151 Water Street.
