Universal Works SS20: Collection Overview

A proud, independent company that champions a utilitarian workwear aesthetic, Universal Works has continued to supply its loyal following with timeless, heritage-rich apparel since co-founder David Keyte’s initial ‘Work From Home’ set-up. Cemented deep into the brand’s DNA, Keyte’s life-work and Universal Works’ ability to let their creative vision carve its own path between continual growth and contemporary necessity, there’s no real surprise that their latest SS20 collection breathes outstanding quality nestled amongst its own reclaimed energy.

With the change in seasons, Universal Works celebrates the re-introduction of comfort-led materials such as hand-loomed denim, chambray and a sustainably sourced eco-cotton that boasts an admirable production process that saves up to 76% on water usage and more than 50% on C02 emissions. Ideal for the warmer spring and summer months, such materials find themselves suitably paired with the brand’s uniform design-style and deliver refreshing new silhouettes to shirt, short and overcoat staples.

Loosely inspired by a road trip that bustled its way from the multicultural metropolis of Los Angeles through to Santa Fe, the historically-rich capital of New Mexico, Universal Works’ latest collection supplies a diverse and rustic aesthetic that is wholly reflective of the terrains, cultures and Pueblo-style architecture encountered along this vibrant journey. Perpetual shades of ecru, laurel, cumin and indigo are cast into the collection alongside single-panel design styles and exposed-stitch handiwork, working well to personify a reflection of Santa Fe’s painted, earthy toned revival-style architecture and its Spanish-mission heritage.

Inspired by the sun’s undying gaze and the flourishing landscapes that dwell amongst the forests, deserts and snow-capped mountains, this refined collection welcomes an array of neutral-toned colour pairings, whilst pops of expressive colour and dashes of raised, complimenting textures assist in personifying landscape symbols such as flowering cacti and more traditional native-inspired markings, as highlighted by both the Organic T-Shirt - Sun Print and the Organic T-Shirt - Cactus Print. In commemoration of both LA and Santa Fe’s local artwork and abundance of custom craft creations, the Universal Works Flower Print T-Shirt implements its own unique spin on blossoming seasonal wear.

Loyal to the brand’s industrial workwear roots, the Universal Works Bakers Overshirt possesses its own pre-filtered aesthetic that not only nods towards classic trench-coat styling but towards the more agrestic roots unearthed by the collections road-trip focus. Intuitively crafted from season-friendly cotton poplin for a more lightweight and breathable wear, this high-end overshirt is set to supply a laid-back yet cultivated aura when paired with shorts or slacks such as their own mid-rising Military Chinos.

New additions such as the 100% cotton Utility Short Sleeve Shirt and the ready-to-layer Zip Uniform Jacket evoke a more militant persona that harks back to the brand’s working-class industrial roots whilst the contemporary twist on colour shepherds the silhouettes ever-closer to the spring/summer creative vision and towards the contemporary market’s admiration for sub-cultural styling. Both the jacket and the short sleeve shirt are fashioned with concealed pockets, pointed collars and with the brand’s iconic ‘Ghost Patch’ decals, a feature reminiscent of age-old advertising signs and one that embodies the brand’s bygone industrial heritage. For elevated day-to-day styling, simply pair with chinos, painter pants or cut-offs.

Having collaborated with nautical powerhouse Sebago in the past, most notably the re-worked release of the ‘Cayuga’ and ‘Seneca’ Campside spin-offs in 2019, Universal Works and the creative Michigan-based team join forces again to showcase a further two more boating shoe collabs - the lace-up ‘John’ and the lace-up ‘Jack’. Titled ‘Nautical But Nice’, this refreshing new capsule collection focuses on delivering two inspirational re-models of Sebago’s traditional American moccasin-styled ‘Portland’ silhouette. Both profiles are crafted utilising vulcanised construction techniques and styled with high-foxing, whilst the incorporation of hand-woven patterned Ikat fabric remains faithful to Universal Works’ New Mexico road trip vibes.

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