Universal Works

We have teamed up with our friends at Progress Running Club for a collaborative project featuring two exclusive t-shirts that merge timeless design with passion and community spirit. Progress is a vibrant sports community and clothing store, inspired by 80s running culture and founded by a long-time friend of UW, Mark Batista. "At Progress Running Club, every step forward is progress and every hurdle overcome is a triumph," says founder Mark Batista. "We're thrilled to collaborate with Universal Works, a brand that shares our values of quality and community." Together with Progress, we hosted a pre-celebration community run earlier this month, starting at our Kings Cross store and finishing at Progress HQ in Spitalfields. The exclusive t-shirts are now available for purchase through both Universal Works' and Progress Running Club's online stores. Find out more on the UW journal: https://lnkd.in/gEDWFWru

Stuff worth wearing, is worth repairing. We visited our London Re-Works partner Janelle from White Weft at her studio, and got a sneak peak at some unique 1 of 1 pieces she has been working on using UW factory seconds and patched using surplus UW fabric. These are now available in a variety of styles and sizes, exclusively at our Berwick Street, London store. To read more head to the journal: https://lnkd.in/eibkvvUr

For the last few summers, we’ve held a party for our agents, customers, and friends of the brand at Amami on Rue Charlot in Le Marais in Paris. This season was no exception but with an extra reason for people to come and celebrate with us: our 15th anniversary. We were truly touched to see so many of our friends show up – without their support, none of this would be possible. Thank you to all who attended and to all who have supported us along the way. Head to the UW journal to see more from the party: https://lnkd.in/dXjJnkGK

You will hear us say it time and time again: it’s the strong friendships and supportive networks that enable us to do what we do. Our global family of suppliers, agents, and friends all have an important role to play in our ongoing journey that cannot be understated. Twice a year, when the sample collection arrives and before we head to international trade shows, we invite our international agents for a preview of what’s to come. They sell UW across the world on our behalf, and last week, they came over to London for our biannual get-together. Head over to the UW journal to find out more: https://lnkd.in/eVgQruYq

Our new joint venture with Berlin-based vinyl, apparel, and sneaker destination, and long-term UW stockist, HHV is here. This second collaboration and Future Friendship Project is presented under the tagline “Traditional Beat, International Artist, Traditional Piece, International Garment”. This time around, we’ve released two special versions of the well-loved UW Kyoto Work Jacket: one in Black Twill and the other, a short sleeve "Kyoto Work Shirt" in Navy Twill. To find out more about the project head over to the UW journal here: https://lnkd.in/dRz4gCK4

"Universal Threads" is a series that explores the commonality running through everything we do. In our most recent instalment, "Community Questions," we invite our UW social media audiences, subscribers, and even our own team, to ask us anything they’d like to know about Universal Works (within reason…). We've sifted through the questions sent in, keeping a tally on the ones that popped up the most, and then caught our co-founders on camera answering them. Whether you sent your question in via email, telephone, handwritten letter, zoom call, or paper plane, we hope you enjoy hearing a bit more about what makes Universal Works, Universal Works. “Factories & Makers”, “UW People” and “Quickfire Questions” are all available to watch now on our Journal: https://lnkd.in/eymJp98z

“The Original Hotel Deluxe” It's that time of year again when we visit the best hotel you've never stayed in. This time around, we are flipping the narrative from vacation to staycation, with "Hotel Deluxe" returning to its roots in a setting that’s more Ilfracombe or Newquay than Marrakech or New Delhi. This is clothing that’s intended for high summer but is inspired by what that is really like in Britain. In this context, layering up might be a safer bet but it’s an aesthetic that works just as well in Bridlington as it does in the Bahamas if you ask us. Head over to our journal to read more about the story of “Hotel Deluxe” and to see more of the looks. https://lnkd.in/ewYy6nh6

We were pleased to be featured in the Spring 2024 issue of British Esquire in an article celebrating British workwear and how the style has found its way out of the history books and into wardrobes across the world today. The Esquire team interviewed UW co-founder David Keyte for the piece: “I was always inspired by my father and his brothers… For me, the chore jacket my dad wore to work, with useful pockets and a loose but practical fit, was a thing of beauty…” David goes on to talk about his personal inspirations and joins some of his industry peers in a broader discussion on modern day ‘workwear’. Photography by Jonathan James Wilson  Article by Finlay Renwick The full article can be found online here: https://lnkd.in/eF_SDQ36

The Universal Works ‘XV’ T-Shirt. Coming Soon. 2024 marks 15 years in business for Universal Works; a milestone worth celebrating in our books! You might have already guessed from the title of this piece, but we thought we would kick off the celebrations by giving you a sneak peek of a special anniversary t-shirt design, which will be available on 19.04.24 in limited numbers. We knew we’d hit the mark with the “XV” design for the tee when David, our co-founder, made a fleeting comment about getting it tattooed on his body. When he realised that pretty much the whole of the UW team backed the idea, he went ahead and recruited tattoo artist and friend of UW Jon (@iamfatnek). The two of them met at the UW design studio and spent the next couple of hours marking UW’s 15-year anniversary in a slightly more permanent way, for David at least. We’ll let the visuals do the talking from here… Watch this space for further info on the Universal Works “XV” T-Shirt. Peace, Love, and Soul. Team UW.

Recently, our friends at Grandpa Store came all the way from Sweden to visit our Headquarters in Nottingham, UK. Besides seeing the sights and enjoying some great food with the team, the main purpose of their visit was to create something special to celebrate the latest instalment in our Future Friendship Project series; which sees Universal Works connecting with and working alongside brands and companies that share their vision of Peace, Love, and Soul. Having built a close relationship over the past few years, it felt like the right time for the two companies to work together on an exclusive piece. The result is a special version of the UW beach parka, which is available exclusively at Grandpa Store. Head over to the UW. journal to learn more and find out where you can purchase the parka.