An article about Kit & Ace's founder

Keix

I found this article linked by a fashion blogger who cited it as one reason why she was boycotting Lululemon and Kit & Ace. After reading it, I'm not sure how I feel; I certainly don't support the founder's behavior, but I don't know if a boycott is really the right course of action. It's good that this article was published, though, and I think it's worth reading.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016.....d-ace.html

8 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from

kkards

Veteran

Yeah I read this. The guys a jerk....not sure if thats a reason to boycott on the other hand, based on what I've read, not sure I'd go out of my way to buy this brand either.

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Interesting. I mean, the guy sounds like a jerk, and I wouldn't want to work for him, but in the grand scheme of things he's no different than probably tons of other people. Not boycott material IMO.

For the record, the only clothing company I've ever boycotted is American Apparel. And honestly it wasn't hard because I don't like their clothes anyway.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I decided years ago, after they started printing Ayn Rand quotes on stuff, that I wouldn't be buying any Lulu gear. I've ended up with a few of their garments from the consignment shop where I do most of my gear shopping, and I've always been underwhelmed.

The whole fashion-fitness, gear-as-social-status, only-skinny-rich-girls-work-out mentality that Lulu and other such companies perpetuate really grosses me out. It's just more pressure on women to look sexy all the time.

I recently re-watched Silence of the Lambs, which opens with Jodie Foster jogging in an unflattering standard-issue grey sweatsuit. Seeing that made me smile wistfully and think, man, those were the days...

8 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

i saw this article as well. He seems like a super annoying human being and I would not want to work for any of his companies because of the weird Landmark stuff among other things. However, I reserve boycotting e.g. for garments produced by child labor or in illegal settlements.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

He definitely comes across as a jerk. I definitely wouldn't buy any of his stuff. Why support people like that? I'm probably not thin enough anyway. I also don't like his racism.

Ironically, the ads that appeared amongst the article were for Fabletics, low cost exercise clothes.

8 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Brand identity certainly plays a part in whether I want to shop somewhere or not. This article indicates to me that the values of Kit & Ace probably don't align with mine. I'm not sure boycott is the exact word, but it makes me think twice about looking in there to begin with.

8 years ago

Anonymous

From what I hear, the Landmark thing is now optional. But yes, he's a bit of an oddball. I'm not defending him at all - and when I first knew about his business practices, I was seriously turned off. But like Lisa, I save my boycotting for a few others where unfair and unsafe labor practices are known to occur . And where the founder treats women like sexual slaves . (Nygard)

8 years ago

viva

Veteran

Oh, I cringed through this entire article, and I was so disappointed that I had been misinformed about the demise of his marriage to the Kit and Ace founder because I would like to feel better about supporting that brand. But if I stopped buying clothing because the designers or CEOs were idiots, I'm afraid I'd have to make my own clothing, and even then, sometimes I might not even be able to wear my own.

Like others, I'm more inclined to pick bigger battles.

8 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, Chip Wilson isn't exactly a poster boy for opposing child labour,
http://thetyee.ca/News/2005/02/17/LuluCritics/

Nor for supporting women.
http://business.financialpost......ontroversy

I'm not in favour of boycotts because I think focusing on one issue can blind us to other issues and repercussions. But, when Chip Wilson is the "face" of a company, I'm not inclined to buy from it because I'm skeptical of the flowery rhetoric and overblown marketing that seems to pervade his businesses. "Technical cashmere" is cotton with a smidge of cashmere added--a blend that you can find in most stores. I'll admit to reluctantly admiring Chip Wilson's uncanny ability to figure out what will strike chord with his audience when he markets his companies, but I don't feel good about jumping on his bandwagon.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Vivian - I think that was me doing the misinforming about him. I understand that they were not partners anymore and that she and her son started the company. This came from a friend I have who works for K&A as a Western Canadian development manager. Who knows? I guess I'm guilty of not keeping up with the ugly politics of his business . I knew about the freaky Landmark stuff he imposed on his employees, but as far as I'm concerned, the employees made a choice to go along with it. I did have real pause in buying Lulu for a few years, but eventually got lazy I guess , and started buying from them again. I do find it hard to stay true to the course with every transgression going on out there. I pick some, miss some, and may even direct my personal boycotts toward undeserving targets. I admit to now being seriously turned off after reading this NY Time article where he berates the interviewer for being late. What kind of a self-absorbed a$$ does that? And yes, this might just make me stop buying K&A. It's not the be-all and end-all anyways. Nothing is though......

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Lisa, I think you're right, in that the company has tried to minimize his association w/ the new brand. From Wikipedia:

"Kit and Ace is a Canadian apparel brand founded in 2014 by the former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica Inc. Shannon Wilson and her stepson JJ Wilson."

I'm actually surprised that he's doing interviews as the "face" of Kit and Ace.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I was surprised too .

8 years ago

Anonymous

I am too. Up until now, they were very clear that it was just the wife and son.
He is really bad for the brand! What a dumb decision to let this guy talk!

8 years ago

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