kit &
ace
Designing With Precision Under Constraint
THE
NAVIGATOR
SERIES
Redefining Technical Trousers for Modern Life
From city commute to boardroom, designed as a system — not a style.
Navigator Series
When I joined Kit and Ace, the Navigator Pant existed only in men’s and was already the brand’s top-selling style — but it carried a structurally broken margin and limited design runway.
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I rebuilt the Navigator system from the ground up, beginning with material re-engineering, cost restructuring, and the creation of a new technical fit library designed for urban movement. The result was a women’s Navigator Pant that not only matched the success of men’s, but surpassed it — becoming the leading style in the business.
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Designed to transition seamlessly from city riding to boardroom wear, Navigator combined ergonomic patterning, stretch performance, and clean tailoring — proving that technical apparel could be both commercially viable and genuinely wearable.
This work marked a turning point for the brand: restoring margin, expanding the customer base, and establishing a scalable platform for future growth.
Ergonomic Fit for City Movement
The Navigator fit system was rebuilt using an ergonomic framework informed by real movement — cycling posture, walking stride, seated work, and daily wear.
Pattern geometry, rise placement, and articulation were engineered specifically for urban mobility, delivering comfort and polish without visual compromise. This fit library became the foundation for future bottoms across the business.
Materials & Margin
Rebuild
Material Innovation at Commercial Scale
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To unlock both margin and performance, I led a full material redevelopment of the Navigator platform — re-engineering fiber blends, stretch recovery, and finishing processes while preserving the premium handfeel expected of tailored apparel.
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This work transformed Navigator from a single best-seller into a durable, scalable system — improving margin structure while enhancing comfort, durability, and longevity.
Navigator became proof that technical rigor and commercial success are not opposing forces.
Two-Way Stretch
Engineered elasticity moves with the body, supporting motion without distortion or bag-out.
Moisture Management
Advanced wicking and evaporation keep the wearer dry and comfortable throughout the day.
C0 DWR (Fluorine-Free)
Surface treatments allow light rain and spills to bead and roll off without compromising breathability.
Quick Dry
Fabric construction accelerates moisture release for faster recovery between wear and wash.
Technically speaking, it’s easy — West Coast tailoring designed for the office and engineered for the urban commute.
Hidden technical features inspired by athletic performance support real life, real movement, and all-day wear.
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Designed for real life. Engineered to perform.
down to business
Technical Suiting
Soft Tailoring, Engineered for Real Life
This work redefined suiting through a West Coast lens — removing restriction without sacrificing structure, polish, or authority.
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Designed for movement, longevity, and modern life, these pieces challenged traditional tailoring conventions while retaining credibility and presence.
Engineered, Not Relaxed
Fully machine-washable suiting, including jackets
No dry clean required
Soft-tailored construction with built-in mobility
Italian fabrics with modern performance finishes
Designed for commute, travel, and all-day wear
Margin accretive
The Shift
Traditional performance suiting was either visually stiff or overly utilitarian.
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This system introduced a new category: fashion-forward tailoring engineered to move, wash, and live in — without compromising sophistication.
What appears effortless required a full rebuild of tailoring fundamentals — from internal structure to material selection to fit logic across both men’s and women’s silhouettes.
Why It Mattered
Business
Impact
This work repositioned tailoring as a core growth category, expanding the business into modern, performance-driven suiting for both men and women.
By rebuilding materials, construction, and fit from the ground up, the category moved beyond rigid or utilitarian competitors and unlocked a new customer use case.
The resulting platform helped bring the business into profitability for the first time and established a foundation for future hybrid apparel categories.
