Today we were joined in store by Universal Works founder David Keyte. The brand’s first collection launched in 2009 with David Keyte (co-founder, director, designer of Universal Works) working from his kitchen table with the aim of making real, honest clothes based on fit and good design. Universal Works was inspired by David’s formative years growing up in a provincial town in the Midlands in the 1970s. From a working-class family who liked to dress well, he watched his father and uncles bring their work clothes and wear theirs for the weekend. He then apprenticed as a sign writer, whilst also experiencing the development of the sporting and music subcultures of the 1980s. And finally, he has dedicated nearly three decades to the fashion industry. From Paul Smith to Maharishi, David has trained and worked alongside some of the best in the business. David’s life’s work forms the DNA of the company, Universal Works is a melting pot of ideas; understanding of heritage and context, underpinned by contemporary needs and aesthetics, quality and small-scale production . Universal Works supports local businesses, producing a large proportion of its products in the UK, with the remainder being sourced from factories with a sustainable ethos. The network that revolves around Universal Works offers the opportunity to collaborate with extraordinary people, from artists to writers and everyone in between, a process that inspires continuous growth and education.
After initially working with around ten retailers, Universal Works has gained a significant following, reaching the most important stores in the urbanwear scene. Universal Works' headquarters are located in Nottingham , while the three flagship stores are located in Soho (London), Kings Cross (London) and Nottingham.
It is a great pleasure today to be able to collaborate with a brand of this philosophy, thanks for the visit David.
