Just six months after opening its first Minnesota location in North Loop, Kit and Ace has set up shop at Mall of America. The Vancouver-based lifestyle concept was founded last year by Shannon and JJ Wilson—the wife and son of Lululemon founder Chip Wilson (Shannon is also Lululemon’s former head of design)—and specializes in machine-washable luxury basics for men and women, made primarily from Qemir, a “technical cashmere” that contains a blend of cashmere and synthetic, high-performance materials. Back in May, Minneapolis was the third city in the country, after New York and San Francisco, to land a Kit and Ace shop; the ambitious startup now has 31 stores in the U.S. (and 21 more internationally), with six more to open by March 2016.
Like its North Loop location, Kit and Ace’s Mall of America storefront emphasizes local makers and artists: Its custom-designed furnishings were all designed by local makers, including Tandem Made, NEU Design, and Constructed Matter; and an opening party held at the store last Thursday evening incorporated live calligraphy and illustrations (by Hello I’m Kate’s Kate Thomas and Allegra Lockstadt, accordingly) and tunes by DJ Sarah White.
But there are some distinct differences between the two stores: Most obvious is the fact that the newest location is set in an enclosed mall rather than a lofted space in a historic warehouse. The other key difference is its product selection; the MOA location stocks a much larger quantity of basics, which I’m told go fast in a mall setting, while the North Loop shop focuses slightly more on fashion-oriented styles.
Now open, Mall of America, 108 South Ave. (level one), Bloomington, mallofamerica.com
Take a glimpse into the new Mall of America store:
Kara Kurth
jahna peloquin
jahna peloquin
jahna peloquin
Kara Kurth
jahna peloquin
jahna peloquin
Kara Kurth
Chairs by NEU Design, table and benches by Constructed Matter, pendant lights by Tandem Made
Kara Kurth
Photos (on wall) by Lucas Botz
Kara Kurth
Calligraphy and illustration by Kate Thomas and Allegra Lockstadt
kate thomas
