Expanding a Brand: Vancouver-Based Entrepreneur Kick-Starts Women’s ‘Wicked Rose’ Martial Arts Activewear Line [Video Interview]

Date:

Share post:

Retail Insider’s Craig Patterson interviews Christina Morrow, Founder at Vancouver-based Wicked Rose, about Morrow’s journey of creating a groundbreaking women’s martial arts activewear brand. Morrow shares her personal motivation, driven by the lack of suitable clothing options for women in martial arts, which led her to develop a brand that combines high quality, performance-oriented apparel with size inclusivity up to 5XL. Morrow’s six-year experience in Muay Thai, and her dissatisfaction with existing offerings, inspired her to research and eventually create a line of activewear that caters specifically to women’s needs in martial arts.

Morrow discusses the unique design challenges and solutions Wicked Rose offers, like the introduction of non-see-through spats with high waistbands to ensure comfort and functionality during intense training sessions. Morrow’s approach involved meticulous product development, including gathering feedback from the martial arts community and incorporating innovative design elements to address common issues faced by women in martial arts. Her collaboration with a tattoo artist friend brings a unique aesthetic to the brand, making it stand out in a market saturated with generic designs.

The conversation concludes with Morrow’s future ambitions for Wicked Rose, including its upcoming Kickstarter campaign aimed at broadening the brand’s reach and introducing sustainable practices in activewear production. They touch upon the potential expansion into retail and the vision of establishing Wicked Rose as a globally recognized activewear brand founded on principles of empowerment, innovation, and inclusivity.

[Kickstarter Campaign Link]

Image: Wicked Rose

Episode Sponsor: 

  • SAJO – Canada’s first specialized retail builder. Visit SAJO to see their holistic approach and transdisciplinary team to explore and understand your needs.
Youtube video

The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

If you prefer to listen to the audio version, it is available below:

The Interview Series audio podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Also check out our The Weekly audio podcast where Craig and Lee discuss popular content published on Retail Insider which is part of the The Retail Insider Podcast Network.

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

Follow Retail Insider:

Listen & Subscribe:

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

RELATED ARTICLES

Load more

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Margins, Losses, Surplus: What Food Waste Really Costs Small Businesses

FoodHero is helping independent Canadian retailers turn surplus food into revenue, reduce waste and reach new customers as it expands its platform.

Kit and Ace Relocates at CF Sherway Gardens as Expansion Continues

Kit and Ace has relocated at CF Sherway Gardens, moving into a 2,370-square-foot store that CEO David Lui says is performing better.

Gap Sales Surge as Old Navy Reshapes Canadian Store Network

Gap continues its strong sales momentum as Old Navy works to improve performance while reshaping its Canadian store network through closures and new locations.

Casavogue Extends Summer Sale with Savings of Up to 50 Percent

Casavogue has extended its Summer Sale for a limited time, with savings of up to 50% across all categories and up to 60% on select liquidation pieces.

Why Brand Activations Are Becoming an Important Part of Retail Marketing

Brand activations are becoming a bigger part of retail marketing as brands use physical experiences, creator content and memorable environments to connect with consumers.

Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons launch linked loyalty program

The program is aimed at connecting the two loyalty ecosystems and giving customers additional rewards for purchases at participating Tim Hortons restaurants.

ROYALMOUNT adopts Genetec security system as Montréal development expands

The development, operated by Carbonleo, is expected to welcome about 11 million to 12 million visitors annually and currently includes 170 stores, 60 restaurants and cafés, cultural programming, public art and green spaces. Additional phases are planned over the next decade.

Jimmy John’s opens first Calgary restaurant in city’s University District

This is the second location in Alberta since the brand’s first Canadian location opened in November 2024, with plans to open over six more before the end of the year.

New U.S. Tariffs Add to Cost Pressures for Canada’s Restaurant Industry: Restaurants Canada 

Restaurants Canada research shows that 41% of operators are now operating at a loss or barely breaking even, compared with 12% in 2019.

Planet Fitness to open third Halifax-area location in Lower Sackville

The company also has locations in Moncton, Saint John and St. John's elsewhere in Atlantic Canada.

Daily Synopsis: September 1, 2026

Surge in demand for Canadian-made food and products, New Lululemon CEO faces turnaround challenge, used bookstores navigate bulk orders amid AI book shredding fears, Safeway opens at Oakridge Park in Vancouver, and other news.

Couche-Tard Earnings Rise as Canadian Convenience Sales Flatten

Couche-Tard reports higher Q1 earnings as Canadian merchandise sales remain flat, while fuel volumes and margins strengthen.

MONTONI partners with Super C and Jean Coutu to develop new retail complex in Mascouche, Quebec

MONTONI develops, builds and manages real estate projects and it has completed more than 700 projects representing over 30 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction and 30 corporate campuses, with another 25 million square feet under development–an impressive portfolio of properties across Québec.

Michael Hill Plans Further Canadian Store Expansion After Record Year

Michael Hill is targeting further growth in Canada after a record year, with store upgrades planned and additional locations under consideration.

Loblaw Plans More No Frills and Maxi Stores in $1.2B Expansion

Loblaw plans $1.2 billion in capital spending through the rest of 2026 as it accelerates No Frills and Maxi expansion across Canada.

Tapo Canada launches direct-to-consumer online store

The new e-commerce operation allows Canadians to buy Tapo products directly from the brand while the company continues to sell through online and physical retailers across the country.

NerdWallet Canada study finds ‘doomspending’ spans generations

NerdWallet Canada refers to the behaviour as “doomspending,” describing it as buying things people do not need because the future feels uncertain or saving money seems pointless.

Canadian Retailers Enter Holiday 2026 With Spending Momentum and Price-Sensitive Shoppers

Canadian shoppers are spending more heading into Holiday 2026, but Salesforce says price sensitivity, promotions, shipping costs and hybrid shopping will shape the season.

Build-A-Bear Refocuses Strategy as Canadian Store Network Evolves

Build-A-Bear is refocusing on customization and experiential retail after a weaker summer, as the retailer evolves its Canadian store network and targets collectors.

Temu Is Becoming a More Local Competitor for Canadian Retailers

Temu is expanding its local seller model as PDD Holdings invests in fulfillment and supply chains, with growing implications for Canadian retailers.