Style led performance wardrobe
“The outdoors should be accessible; a place where women feel free, safe and confident,” says Kasia Bromley, the ACAI founder who envisaged an outdoor, female-focused brand that supported women to get into nature.
Kasia’s dream was to create inclusively sized performance wear made specifically for the female form. She imagined collections that would make women look and feel great, but also packed a punch in the outdoors. Clothes which took the high street for a hike!
Kasia’s journey into the world of women’s clothing started in the elite space, designing and making couture. After graduating in womenswear from the Edinburgh College of Art, she worked at legendary fashion house Alexander McQueen, where she was integral in the creation of Sarah Burton’s iconic ‘Butterfly Dress’.
But following a move to Scotland and a role with a men’s sportswear brand, Kasia’s journey changed course.
Rooted in Nature
“After moving to Scotland I made the most of having the Highlands on my doorstep. But instead of being able to enjoy the view, I’d constantly had these niggles about what I was wearing. I’d feel too cold, too hot or get wet; I’d have snagged my clothes; and I’d have no pockets for my phone and keys. I became increasingly riled that my wardrobe wasn’t supporting my outdoorsy lifestyle.”
Working in design, Kasia felt the clothing industry was letting women down: “What manufacturers were doing was ‘shrink and pink’, i.e. taking their men’s outdoor ranges, then making them smaller and swapping them to a girly colour so as to appeal to women. As a fashion-conscious person, I wouldn’t have been seen dead in them!”
When out hiking, Kasia wore high-street leggings and a cool tee; clothing that was comfy and she felt stylish and feminine in, but was hopeless against the elements. The alternative was no better:
“I didn’t want to look like I’d raided my Gran’s wardrobe, or I’d stuck my husband’s hiking wear on a hot wash! I wanted my clothes to have the same feeling of cut, flattery and style as couture, but be purposeful for the outdoors too.
“Wearing what I did, I felt the eyes of male hikers looking at me with ridicule, like I wasn’t taking the outdoors seriously enough.
“So I had this 'f**k you' moment… I was determined to be the change-maker in this space.”
Creating an Adventure Wardrobe
Alongside her co-founder and husband Joe Bromley, Kasia set about building a brand which would fill a gaping hole in the women’s clothing market.
ACAI was born from a vision of creating an adventure wardrobe for women, with features required to be fit for purpose in the outdoors, as well as style, modern colours and versatility.
“Inclusivity has, and always will be, an ACAI hallmark,” says Kasia. “Our sizing reflects the diversity of women’s shapes, giving the wearer confidence through superior fit.
“It’s the cut of the cloth that’s our point of difference; shaped to fit the female form and create flattering silhouettes.”
Starting with the Skinny Outdoor Trousers, the positive reviews for ACAI’s inaugural piece came flooding in.
Made for Adventure
ACAI launched online in 2017 and today celebrates a diverse collection of active outdoor clothing for women.
The brand is on a mission to change the landscape of women’s hiking wear, designing purposeful clothing that’s shaped for women and made for adventure.
The future will see ACAI build on this success with an ever-expanding wardrobe to inspire women to get outdoors, and give them the confidence and support to do so.
“Our brand offers the magical combination of performance and fit, with style and shape delicately embedded into each and every garment,” says Kasia.
“We’re creating a growing community of women owning their space in the outdoors.”