Winter wear just got a major upgrade! Meet Vacation Molly, a Vancouver-based brand redefining outerwear with a fresh take on style, comfort, and performance. Designed by ski enthusiast Molly Clinton, Vacation Molly blends technical excellence with fashion-forward silhouettes that compliment a woman’s features—no compromises required.
From luxurious eco-down insulation to tailored designs that flatter and perform, Vacation Molly is here to make your time outdoors unforgettable. We sat down with Molly to chat about her inspiration, what makes her brand stand out, and her vision for elevating women’s winter apparel. —Noa Nichol
Can you share the story behind the moment your ski pants split on the mountain and how that inspired you to create Vacation Molly?
I’ve been a skier since I was a mini. I remember distinctly always loving skiing but fighting my parents on wearing ski clothes. If you ski, you know the drill, everything from the boots to the balaclavas to the pants, ski clothing is the worst!
Fast forward a few decades later, I decided to treat myself to a fancy new ski suit. I was on a mission to find something that ticked all the boxes: flattering, fun, functional, and capable of handling Whistler’s legendary conditions. I searched high and low and eventually found “the one.”
The first day I put my new suit on, I bent over to do my boots up and heard a loud riiiiiiiiip! Mortified doesn’t even begin to describe my state. Something that was supposed to be fun and special was completely ruined for me. I remember walking all over the village looking for a high-waisted, stretchy pair of pants that were warm and waterproof and comfortable, and that simply didn’t exist…
How could one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world not offer ski wear that combined style, comfort, and performance? I realized there was a gap in the market – and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I didn’t want to settle for ski clothes that made me feel anything less than amazing, and I knew other women felt the same way. So, I decided to do something about it. Enter Vacation Molly.
What sets Vacation Molly apart from other winter wear brands, and how do you balance technical performance with fashion-forward design?
When I first set out to create Vacation Molly, I met with several people who have serious experience in outer wear and apparel. Most of them sighed when I shared my sketches and said, “there’s a reason why no one has been able to do this.” But if you know me, I’ve made a career out of building blue-sky ideas and never taking no for an answer.
Vacation Molly was born out of a desire to create winter wear that doesn’t make you choose between form and function. Our pieces are fashionable, luxurious, and technical, designed to handle the elements while making you look and, most importantly, feel incredible. Every design is rooted in my own firsthand experience on the slopes – the long days, the unpredictable weather, the need for clothing that moves with you, OH and a lip balm pocket so I’d never lose it again.
I looked outside of the outerwear and “ski” categories for inspiration when designing. I have found that a lot of ski wear brands just copy each other on fit, form, and even colours and prints. Many brands slap a few stars on their pieces and call it fashion. I wanted to design blue-sky pieces that were truly innovative, and not just your typical silhouettes and fabrics.
Take for example, our Piste Performance Pant. My objective was to create pants that felt like your favourite pair of leggings. I wanted the pants to make you feel sucked in and secure, be super stretchy – because let’s face it, if you’re skiing or snowboarding, you’re basically in a squat all day. And I wanted the pants to give you a butt. With my designers, we came up with a revolutionary elastic waist band. At first, I received pushback on the design, and of course, it’s never been done before! But by placing the zipper on the back side of the pants, we were able to give you that same comfortable, secure feeling you get from your favourite athleisure. It’s pretty cool. And I can assure you, these pants are so stretchy, you don’t have to worry about them splitting 😉
How did your experience during the pandemic, including taking fashion classes, shape the creation of your brand?
I went from a lifestyle of living on a plane travelling for work and sometimes pleasure weekly, to suddenly being stuck at home with not a lot of exciting things to do. Some people made sourdough, or got a dog, but I started taking fashion classes in the evenings at a local fashion school called The Cut. I had zero experience in fashion, so I wanted to take the opportunity to learn as much as I could in the evenings. I started with fashion sketching, moved on to sewing and then took a course about launching your own fashion line which I really enjoyed. My background is in brand marketing and innovation, so I loved the idea of creating my vision for Vacation Molly from scratch. Any time I’ve ever innovated a product, be it in beverage alcohol, nutrition, or candy, it has always been to solve some sort of tension or problem or provide something totally unique to the consumer. In this case, I listed the challenges with outerwear, in particular ski wear, and started brainstorming how to solve them in unique ways.
As a female-founded and designed brand, what challenges did you face entering the winter apparel market, and how did you overcome them?
There are new challenges daily. And that is just par for the course when starting a new brand. Change is never easy, and people are often hesitant to embrace something new. Building trust around innovation takes time, but I believe in the power of persistence and the strength of disruptive innovation that solves problems. I’m confident that as more people discover what Vacation Molly offers—redefining how outerwear fits, feels, and performs—they’ll be excited to join the journey.
As a solo founder navigating an industry dominated by well-established giants, I’m embracing my role as the “squeaky wheel.” By standing out and staying true to my vision, I’m hopeful that the industry will recognize Vacation Molly’s potential to revolutionize ski wear and be inspired to collaborate.
Another shift I hope to spark in the industry is a move toward greater inclusivity and acceptance. Outerwear has long been a subject of judgment, with assumptions often made about someone’s abilities based solely on how they look. A hot pink ski suit with bows shouldn’t define how and where I ski, and to be frank, it shouldn’t matter. Winter sports should be for everyone. My hope is to create a culture where self-expression on the slopes is celebrated, and more people feel welcome to experience the joy of life in the mountains.
Why was it important for Vacation Molly to be 100% animal-free, and how does using recycled eco-down align with your vision?
I made a conscious decision when I first created Vacation Molly that I wanted the full line to be animal-free. I used to work for a vegan company, and their animal-free values really inspired me. I know people look to companies that they shop to help them make better choices, so I figured, if I can make outerwear that feels luxurious and doesn’t cut any corners, all while making it animal-free, that would be an easy way for people to reduce the amount of animal products in their life.
I think we’re all looking for ways here and there that we can contribute to a better world, so any chance I have an opportunity to help with that, I’m game. I had that same perspective when I chose to use recycled eco-down over goose down – it’s a simple way to remove animal products from the line without compromising on the warmth or breathability of the garment.
I definitely hope to improve on these aspects of the line as we grow.
What kind of feedback have you received from skiers and outdoor enthusiasts about the comfort and performance of Vacation Molly’s designs?
What surprises most people about Vacation Molly is the exceptional fit and feel of the pieces. Outerwear is often associated with being bulky, restrictive, and uncomfortable—more like wearing a bag than something designed for movement. I wanted to change that. These pieces are crafted to feel so comfortable that you could wear them all day on the slopes and then head straight to après without needing a wardrobe change—just like your favorite athleisure. The reaction I hear most is disbelief: people can’t believe they’re wearing technical outerwear that fits and feels this good.
Equally surprising is the technical performance of the line. During product testing, I spent long days on the mountain with friends who’d end up soaked, cold, and uncomfortable while I stayed dry, warm, and perfectly at ease. Passing the “Whistler pressure test” was non-negotiable for me—these pieces had to perform in rain, wind, sub-zero temperatures, and anything else the elements could throw at them. Too many “cute” outerwear brands sacrifice functionality for style, and I set out to create a line that delivers both.
Lastly, I love the joy people find in the thoughtful details. Features like lip balm pockets, snack compartments, and playful hidden messages—like “see you at après” on the Bow Bunny Jacket or “find joy outside”—never fail to spark a smile. Vacation Molly doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I think that sense of fun and personality resonates. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how much people appreciate both the practicality and the spirit of the line.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Vacation Molly, and how do you see the brand evolving in the future?
Where do I start?! Sometimes I feel like I am overflowing with ideas for outerwear innovation, from new styles to bold prints and fresh colorways. My hope is to continually evolve the line, meeting new challenges and redefining what’s possible in technical apparel.
In the short term, my goal is to collaborate with local retailers to bring Vacation Molly into physical spaces, allowing people to truly experience the line firsthand, seeing and feeling how it redefines what outerwear can be.
Looking further ahead, my vision is to bring joy to as many people as possible on the slopes. Perhaps that means expanding into children’s wear, or pets! After all, if I’d had Vacation Molly as a kid, ski school would have been a much brighter experience.
One of my ultimate dreams is to open a brick-and-mortar storefront—a vibrant, fun space that’s as unique as the brand itself. I picture disco balls, neon signs, glitter, and plenty of colour—a celebration of winter wear and self-expression. It would be a welcoming hub for everyone, from seasoned skiers and snowboarders to first timers discovering the mountains. My aim is to make the slopes a place where everyone feels they belong, where they can thrive and find joy in the beauty of the outdoors.
Win! A $800 Vacation Molly Prize Pack!
One lucky Canadian winner will receive a $800 Vacation Molly prize pack including a bow bunny jacket + piste performance pant, both in the disco party print! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @vacationmolly and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens January 13, 2025 and closes January 20, 2025. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.
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