Winnipeg-based apparel company Mondetta is bringing its premium menswear brand Modern Ambition to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver this year, marking the next phase of a retail expansion strategy that began with the opening of the concept’s first flagship store in Winnipeg.
The three-store rollout follows nearly a year of planning and comes as Modern Ambition prepares to establish a presence in some of Canada’s most prominent retail markets. The expansion also reflects growing confidence in the concept following the performance of the Winnipeg flagship, which opened in 2025.
“We opened the flagship on Modern Ambition in Winnipeg last September. The store is exceeding expectations,” said Georgi Gvakharia, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Retail at Mondetta Clothing, in an interview with Retail Insider.
The Winnipeg location served as a proving ground for the concept, allowing the company to refine its product assortment, customer experience and service model before expanding nationally. Gvakharia said the strong response from customers helped validate the concept and support the next phase of growth.
The first new location is expected to open in early July at 101 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto, placing Modern Ambition in the heart of Canada’s premier luxury shopping district alongside many of the country’s most recognized luxury and premium fashion retailers. The approximately 1,400-square-foot store will be followed by a larger grand opening celebration planned for September.
Toronto will be followed by a Calgary location at The Core Shopping Centre and a Vancouver store at 918 Robson Street.
The Calgary store will occupy approximately 2,700 square feet in The Core’s luxury retail corridor near Harry Rosen and Rolex. In Vancouver, Modern Ambition has secured the former Ferragamo location at 918 Robson Street after the Italian luxury brand relocated to Oakridge Park. The Vancouver store will also span approximately 2,700 square feet.
Gvakharia said both the Calgary and Vancouver locations represented compelling real estate opportunities as the company sought prominent locations for the next stage of the brand’s growth.
Premium Menswear with a Hospitality-Focused Approach
Modern Ambition is positioned as a premium menswear concept offering tailored clothing, elevated essentials and accessories sourced from leading European manufacturers.
The brand sources fabrics from Italy and is expanding its assortment to include footwear, belts, ties and pocket squares. Footwear is manufactured in Portugal, while several accessory categories are produced in Italy.
“We source all of our fabrics in Italy,” said Gvakharia. “Shoes are going to be made in Portugal. Belts are made in Italy. We just added ties and pocket squares made in Italy.”
The company positions Modern Ambition in the upper-premium menswear segment, with suits generally ranging from approximately $999 to $1,300.
Beyond the product offering, the customer experience is a central component of the concept. Gvakharia said the stores are designed to encourage customers to spend time in the space, interact with staff and experience the brand in a relaxed environment.
“We are calling the stores a living room,” he said. “Customers come in, spend time, have a coffee and engage with our team.”
The hospitality-focused approach has been an important element of the Winnipeg store’s success and is expected to be carried forward into future locations.
Luxury Mobile Showroom to Tour Canadian Markets
Alongside its store expansion, Mondetta is investing more than $500,000 in a luxury mobile showroom that will travel through Canadian markets this summer.
The customized vehicle will function as a mobile showroom, event venue and brand activation platform. The company plans to use it for trunk shows, partnerships, special events and consumer engagement initiatives while its store network continues to expand.
“We invested half a million into that RV,” said Gvakharia. “It’s going to be a beautiful mobile luxury showroom.”
The vehicle is expected to appear at various locations across Canada and will be supported through social media campaigns allowing consumers to follow its schedule and activities.
The initiative reflects Mondetta’s efforts to connect with customers through a combination of physical stores, events and direct-to-consumer experiences.
Additional Canadian and International Growth Planned
The Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver openings represent only one phase of Modern Ambition’s broader growth strategy.
Gvakharia said the company is already evaluating opportunities in Edmonton and Montreal, while also exploring longer-term expansion opportunities in the United States and Europe.
Potential U.S. markets under consideration include New York, Chicago and Atlanta.
At the same time, Mondetta is preparing a separate retail rollout for its core Mondetta brand. The company expects to begin opening dedicated Mondetta stores in 2027, starting in Winnipeg before expanding into additional Canadian markets.
The planned stores will operate under a different format from Modern Ambition, focusing on everyday apparel and essentials within larger footprints of approximately 5,000 square feet.
“We’re planning to open two stores for Mondetta in fall 2027 and then add another ten throughout the following years,” said Gvakharia.
The concept is expected to launch in Winnipeg before expanding to additional markets in Western Canada and eventually other parts of the country.
