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We’re kicking it off with Edition 08 of the Optimist’s Outlook — our quarterly communique with updates on how Optimism is coming to life in our design studio, via in-shop activations, and through our community initiatives to give back.
Having just wrapped another year of learnings and innovation, we’re greeting 2023 with anticipation of what’s to come. As we reflect on the last quarter and look ahead to our design, community, and retail plans for the next year, there’s a feeling of fresh opportunity and boundless potential.
OPTIMISTICALLY, US
In October we launched our Optimistically, Us Fall campaign, featuring our HQ and shop teams. Check out our site and social channels to catch up on the stories behind the campaign, and to learn about what inspires, delights, and sparks Optimism for the people behind our brand.
“IN OCTOBER WE LAUNCHED OUR OPTIMISTICALLY, US FALL CAMPAIGN , FEATURING OUR HQ AND SHOP TEAMS.”
FEELING FESTIVE
We dropped our annual Holiday Gift Guide in November, with an edition specially curated to help you get ahead on gifting. Packed full of our warmest waffle knits, softest PJs, and party-ready styles, it was a roundup of giftable favourites sure to spread cheer. Because the most wonderful time of the year is for lounging by the fire and not frantically dashing through the mall.
FAMILIAR FACES ON TIKTOK
Keep your eyes on our TikTok channel @kitandace for more expanded video content, behind the scenes insights, and sneak peeks of what we’re up to. In the months to come you’ll meet many of the faces behind Kit and Ace, as our shop team members get involved to give you a taste of the team culture that underpins our brand.
KIND OF A BIG DEAL
We’re hard at work to improve our biggest shop over at kitandace.com and to bring you a better online shopping experience. With a launch planned for late Spring, we’re excited to see what you think of the changes. (Hint, expect smoother browsing and faster checkout).
SIPS AND SMILES
To add a personal touch to the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, our Queen Street team set up a pop-up greeting station outside the shop with cups of tea for weary shoppers. Passerby stopped to feel the fabrics of a small selection of samples set up on a rack and were often intrigued enough to check out our full collection inside. Not only did this elevate guest experience by bringing a taste of the shop vibes out to the sidewalk, but it also led to the team meeting many new guests.
HOLIDAY STYLE INSPO
With so many opportunities to dress it up over the holiday season, we were excited to collaborate with 30 content creators and styling masters from our community who showcased their favourite ways to wear our latest pieces. Check out our Instagram and TikTok channels for their inspirational tips and tricks for putting your best foot forward.
GOTTA LOVE GIVEAWAYS
November saw a few different giveaways in the ramp up to the holidays. We joined forces with Curiocity Canada and our longtime friend Allie Beckwith (@alliebeckwith) on her annual gift guide. What better way to capture the festive feels of the season than with the surprise and delight of an unexpected win?
“IN EARLY DECEMBER THE TEAM AT OUR QUEEN STREET SHOP HOSTED A PRIVATE SHOPPING EVENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TORONTO RAPTORS, KICKING OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A MUCH-ANTICIPATED PARTY.”
HANGING WITH THE RAPTORS
In early December the team at our Queen Street shop hosted a private shopping event in collaboration with the Toronto Raptors, kicking off the holiday season with a much-anticipated party. It was the first event of this scale that we’ve held in one of our spaces since the pandemic, and the new community connections, smiling faces, and enthusiasm around our winter collection made for a magical evening, with a vibe we’ve all been craving for some time.
CASHMERE, BABY!
To the delight of many guests who remember our early days, we brought back cashmere this December in a limited-edition collection just in time for the holidays. Known for its incredible softness, thermoregulating cashmere has a luxe hand feel and is lighter and warmer than wool. Psst, we’ve also spun it with a touch of Lycra for extra stretch that you can feel in favourites like the Cashmere Cloud Sweater, plus accessories like the Burbank Shawl and Toque.
KICK BACK AND RELAX
Here to make 2023 super comfy, we recently introduced our newest Ultra Terry fabric with a collection of the softest sweatpants, sweatshirts, and hoodies that we’ve ever made. Choose from an array of colours, or mix and match to create your perfect set, with durability to stand up to all the lounging that this year will hold.
“HERE TO MAKE 2023 SUPER COMFY, WE RECENTLY INTRODUCED OUR NEWEST ULTRA TERRY FABRIC WITH A COLLECTION.”
IN THE DESIGN STUDIO
With sudden snowfalls and cold snaps coast to coast this winter, our puffy vegan outerwear has once again been a crowd favourite. These coats and jackets come in a variety of lengths, with water repellent shells, and are insulated with recycled synthetic down that looks and feels just like real feathers, but with no ducks hurt in the process. Plus, they’re lightweight to make for an easy seasonal transition.
Now Spring is around the corner and we’re getting ready to drop breathable new fabrics and versatile styles that are as well suited for days at the office as they are for evenings and weekends out and about. Watch for sweaters, cardigans, and polos in our newest lightweight Cotton Lyocell yarn, made with organic cotton for natural breathability and blended with a touch of spandex for shape retention. These are easy care styles with a softness that’s perfect for sensitive skin.
Also coming soon are elevated office-appropriate styles in our new Cotton Suiting fabric for a lightweight feel and all-day comfort. These pieces are made with responsibly sourced cotton certified by the Better Cotton Initiative, which is an organization that strives to reduce the environmental footprint of cotton farming and certifies the responsible use of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.
And you’ll see the return of our lightweight TENCEL™ Woven styles plus cooling shirts and shirt dresses in wrinkle-resistant poplin fabric made with temperature-regulating brrr° technology. Long loved Brushed French Terry is back as well, in new fitted and cropped styles that will be available online and on shop shelves soon.
Embracing the spirit of rebirth and renewal, we’re looking forward to a busy Spring season ahead with opportunities to reset, reconnect, and carpe the hell out of 2023. We can’t wait to usher in warmer days with new fabrics and styles that we’re sure will become new favourites.
Thanks to our team across the country and to all of you in our communities for your continued support over the last year, and for joining us on the ride ahead as we design for a greener future and Amplify Optimism for a brighter world. Make sure to follow along on our social channels @kitandace and sign up for our email list for the inside scoop on everything we’re up to.
And as always, please feel free to reach out to me directly with feedback, questions, or community partnership ideas you’d like to discuss (optimism@kitandace.com)
2023, here we go!
George
Chief Executive Optimist