Lauren Chan’s Collaboration with Universal Standard is Redefining Luxury

Within the fashion industry, there's usually not much room for size-inclusive brands, let alone, those who pride themselves on crafting a luxury product. Most clothing options available for the average American woman— a size 18— are either dated, ill-constructed, or incredibly dubious thanks to the rise of fast fashion. While, in some ways, it's great that there's options for everyone, it feels like a bit of a step-back to say that plus size shoppers don't have the luxury of shopping well, stylish, or semi-affordable. Until Lauren Chan's Henning x Universal Standard collaboration came along.

Chan, a model and former fashion editor, made history when her luxury, size-inclusive fashion label, Henning, made its successful exit as the only female-founded, plus size brand to have done so. After being acquired by Universal Standard last year, cult fans of Chan's one-of-a-kind label kept asking for a comeback given its unique place in the market. Thankfully, Universal Standard delivered.

Enter, Henning x Universal Standard, a re-issue of some of Henning's iconic pieces. Some of the label's best-selling pieces, like their lived-in denim or classic, elegant trench coat have been re-imagined in Universal Standard's exhaustive size range (00-40) and accessible price point, with most pieces capping out under $300. 

"For me, personally, slipping on putting on my Henning garments, and then putting on these Universal Standard x Henning garments, the difference is palpable. And I think that speaks to the experience and reach and expertise of Universal Standard," Chan explained, nodding to her partnership with the brand. "While [Henning] figured it out, and we were able to succeed within our niche, bringing the knowledge that we had and my passion  and partnering with, in my opinion, the biggest and best business in the space, was incredibly helpful."

While Henning and Universal Standard's limited-edition capsule has been out in the wild for a little over two weeks, the beauty comes after the initial roll-out, Chan explained. Now that all 25 pieces of the collection are live and in customers' hands, the content has been endless. Chan admitted to scrolling for hours on TikTok and Instagram to see the amount of real-time feedback and love it's all been getting. Frankly, she sad, it's a huge motivator in making sure every product drop is as successful as this one.

"Wth my original [Henning] mission, and the mission of this collaboration, we want to meet people at the level that they are at in the rest of their lives and give them pieces that they can represent themselves well with," Chan said. "Maybe I'm biased here, but people look like they feel powerful in these garments. They look like they're feeling themselves. They look confident. To me, that is what clothing should do."

You can shop Lauren Chan's full Henning collaboration with Universal Standard, below. From heirloom-worthy tuxedo jackets and elevated, cool girl-approved denim, these pieces are meant to be lived-in, loved, and last.