Universal Standard Makes It Easier For Curvy Women To Shop
De CidesaWiki
missguided.co.uk
When Universal Standard launched in 2015, founders Polina Veksler and Alex Waldman sought to fill a space in the ever-changing, very limited market of clothing for curvy women. While there are fast-fashion spots like Asos and Topshop as well as a few high-end designer brands like Christian Siriano and Chromat that offered extended sizing, options were (and remain) scarce for women bigger than a size eight. Though Veksler and Waldman could afford high fashion, there were few high-quality options available to them. Waldman, a former fashion journalist, and Veksler, who worked in finance, joined forces one night after Waldman couldn’t find anything to wear to an event. "The tipping point was when I told Polina I had nothing nice and appropriate to wear and she said to me, ‘What are you talking about you live two blocks from Fifth Avenue? ’ That’s when I realized how veiled my world was and how bad things are for curve women.
I couldn’t find a single thing that fit." Vowing to help curve women not feel so slighted in the fashion world, they created Universal Standard. It’s a modern, minimalist line for women who are fans of Theory, Helmut Lang, and Rag & Bone. Sizes start at 10 and go up to 28, with prices ranging from $100 for tops to $300 for dresses and coats. The minimalist line is a novelty for curve women who find it hard to access well-made, stylish designs that don’t look like unflattering sacks. Their latest idea is just as smart - they’ve created a program called Universal Fit Liberty (UFL for short) that allows customers to swap out an item for another size within the first year of purchase for free. The pieces are from their core collection of essentials - seasonless, popular basics that they make continuously. The idea, Waldman says, came out of talking with women about their shopping experiences: Many are concerned about fluctuating as well as wishful sizing, the concept of buying something too small while telling yourself you’ll fit into it eventually. "There’s a complicated psychology that women have developed from being excluded in mainstream fashion," she explains. "UFL crosses all size barriers - whether you’re 6, 16 or 28, women fret about their size. For Veksler and Waldman, UFL is just one of many ways they plan on changing the retail landscape for curve women. They’re developing ways to better visualize how a piece fits when shopping online. Plus Universal Standard wants to transform the mysterious world of sizing with micrograding - a technology still in development that will allow a size 24 to fit just as well as a size 4. The technology would allow curve women to finally have clothing that fits well and flatters their bodies. "Hopefully UFL is just one example that translates to the industry," Waldman says.
Watching movies: Somehow, my son and husband convinced me that we needed to watch the entire Star Wars canon (11!) from Episode I, A New Hope, to The Rise of Skywalker. I’ve been taking life lessons from Jedi Master Yoda: "Much to learn you still have." We have now moved onto ’80s movies. Last night’s highlight was Bill Murray in Meatballs. I highly recommend it. Mastering risotto: I was listening to a podcast recently reflecting on the new rise in creativity - everything from people taking up knitting to baking bread. My new creative endeavor is cooking (which, to those who know me, is surprising, as I never cook). However, it’s quite specific - I’ve been mastering the art of making risotto! From scratch! Including making my own vegetable stock (which took a few attempts, as the first time I managed to boil it all away). Since I’m not a natural in the kitchen, it takes my mind off everything else going on. I really have to concentrate on each step and particularly find the chopping and stirring very meditative.
Free People, a specialty women’s clothing brand, is the destination for bohemian fashion that features the latest trends and vintage collections for women who live free through fashion, art, music, and travel. The brand offers a wide range of products from apparel, to accessories, intimates, outerwear, home, and beauty - all reflecting a high level of quality, invoking attributes of femininity, spirit, and creativity in its design, while creating the perfect festival clothing. Free People fans around the world can connect through FP Me, Free People’s online style Community. When browsing the site, it’s a great way for customers to get styling inspiration and see how every item -- from maxi gorgeous women's dresses and jeans, to leather jackets and jumpers -- look on all types of girls. The Free People iOS mobile app also integrates with FP Me, and makes online shopping, and style sharing, easier than ever. Free People is distributed globally via direct channels, including the Free People Global site, the Free People UK site and the Free People Chinese site, as well as specialty clothing boutiques, top department stores, and the brand’s free standing retail locations in the U.S. Canada. The company offers free standard shipping on orders over £75 and ships orders to over 100 countries worldwide.
For each course students may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on their subject area. Some courses provide opportunities for students to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation and meals may be covered by the University and so is included in the fee. Where these are optional students will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay their own transportation, accommodation and meal costs. With regards to text books, the University provides students who enroll with a comprehensive reading list and our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that students are required to read. However, students may prefer to purchase some of these for themselves and will therefore be responsible for this cost. Students will be required to cover additional costs specific to the study of Fashion. These typically include, but are not limited to: fabric, art materials, printing, cultural visits, creating a final collection, and a third-year fashion show contribution. If students choose to undertake a work placement, they will be responsible for their travel, accommodation, and general living costs. External visits are also recommended as part of student development. Level 1 and 2 students report typically spending £250-350 per year on course materials and equipment. Level 3-Final year expenditure can be greater due to the production of a final garment collection and portfolio. It should be noted however that successful work is not necessarily dependent on high costs but on the level of originality, innovation, creativity and resourcefulness. It is however expected that students on the programme will have sufficient funding to support the costs of their studies without hindrance. The University currently awards each student an annual amount Materials Fund which assists with the provision of some key learning materials. This may be subject to change.
