Erdem teams up with Universal Standard for inclusive denim capsule

By

Robin Driver

Published
Apr 2, 2021

London-based luxury fashion label Erdem has collaborated with size-inclusive denim brand Universal Standard to create a collection offering denim, tops and dresses in sizes 00 to 40.

 
Known for his hyper-feminine aesthetic, Erdem founder and creative director Erdem Moralioglu brought a lighter touch to the eight-piece collaborative collection, combining subtle patchwork details with his trademark floral prints.
 
The capsule’s denim offering includes the Hana Patchwork Jeans, available in both white and dark indigo, the Myrtle Denim Jumpsuit and Poppy High Rise Sailor Skinny Jeans, both offered in dark indigo, and the white Jasmine Patchwork Denim Skirt.

In addition, the collection offers the floral Kalina Ruffle Shirt, available in both long and short-sleeved versions, and the Primrose Ruffle Shirt Dress, which also features a black and white floral print.
 
Accessibility is a key focus for the collection, with prices ranging from $120 for the Jasmine Patchwork Denim Skirt to $198 for the Myrtle Denim Jumpsuit.
 
“This collection represents inclusivity not just in terms of size, but it’s also quite democratic in terms of the price,” explained Universal Standard co-founder and chief creative officer Alexandra Waldman in a statement cited by Refinery29. “So the idea that somebody can own an original Erdem piece for much less than what you would normally pay for this high-fashion brand — it’s a fashion adventure in a way, and it’s really nice to know that everybody who wants access can have it.”
 
The question of inclusivity and accessibility was also an important consideration for Moralioglu when deciding to work with Universal Standard.
 
“The beauty of Universal Standard is that it is accessible to so many people; it truly is universal,” the designer told Vogue. “It’s [also] utilitarian in a chic way. There is a straightforwardness to the language of the brand that I thought was so interesting to apply to my world.”
 
According to Vogue, the partnership between Universal Standard and Erdem has been a long time coming. When New York-based Universal Standard was first founded by Waldman and Polina Veksler in 2015, Erdem was at the top of their wish list of potential collaborators.
 
Waldman and Moralioglu eventually met through Net-a-porter founder Natalie Massenet in 2020, and the stage was set for a collaborative capsule.
 
In the past, Universal Standard has worked with a range of collaborators, including Los Angeles-based luxury label Rodarte, German sportswear giant Adidas and American fashion retailer J. Crew.
 
The Erdem x Universal Standard collection is available now on the Universal Standard website.