Fashion company Universal Standard purchases plus-size label Henning
Universal Standard, a direct-to-consumer company known for its commitment to size inclusivity, has made a significant move by acquiring plus-size luxury womenswear brand Henning. This marks the first successful exit of an independent, female-founded plus-size brand.
The acquisition will see Henning's design aesthetics integrated into Universal Standard's offerings, with a focus on expanding their product range in the premium, size-diverse womenswear market. Recent collaborations include the Henning x US Madison Shirt in Lilac Multi Stripe and the Henning x US Warren Blazer in color pony, showcasing Henning's unique design elements.
Universal Standard's CEO, Polina Veksler, and Henning's founder, Lauren Chan, have formed a strong partnership, with Chan now acting as Universal Standard's head of brand partnerships. This collaboration is expected to continue, blending Henning's high-end design with Universal Standard's size inclusivity, aiming to enhance visibility for premium, size-diverse womenswear.
The move comes amidst a shift in the fashion industry, with brands like Columbia Sportswear announcing price parity across sizing for their spring 2023 collection. However, others have faced criticism for phasing out plus sizes. Loft, for instance, faced an onslaught of criticism on social media after stating it would phase out plus sizes in 2021.
Universal Standard has made a name for itself by collaborating with other brands to advise on inclusive sizing. The company has also worked with popular influencers such as Gabi Gregg of Gabi Fresh for new collections. In a notable move, a petition with over 26,000 signatures was launched on the Change.org platform to bring Old Navy's extended sizes back to stores.
Despite these challenges, Universal Standard remains confident that embracing size-inclusivity will continue to be profitable for the business. The company sells a line of clothing ranging from sizes 00 through 40.
As for the future, while no explicit long-term strategic details have been publicly disclosed, the emphasis remains on innovation within plus-size luxury offerings under the unified brand umbrella. Universal Standard continues to explore "additional opportunities for sparking change in the industry" beyond this acquisition.
Universal Standard's acquisition of Henning is a testament to the growing demand for size-inclusive luxury fashion and the potential for profitability in this market. With its focus on collaboration and innovation, Universal Standard is poised to lead the charge in this evolving sector.
[1] - Source: Universal Standard Press Release, August 2023 [5] - Source: Henning Press Release, August 2023
