“We’re always so inspired by the many powerful women in our lives and within the industry. We’re excited to see how women with all different styles will wear the collection.”
That’s Kate Mulleavy, one half of Rodarte – the other being sister Laura – on their new collaboration with Universal Standard, the fashion brand with the overarching mission of “Fashion Freedom” and style without size barriers. And indeed, the Mulleavys and Universal Standard are making a major statement for fashion freedom with this capsule.
The average size of a woman in the U.S. is a 16, a fact that many fashion designers have largely ignored. The Rodarte x Universal Standard collection features a dress, jumpsuit, skirt, and blouse in sizes 00-40 and priced from $150 to $240.
Body positivity is an important element within CFDA’s overall goal to make fashion more inclusive and diverse. When Polina Veksler and Alexandra Waldman founded Universal Standard four years ago to, their aim, as the company statement puts it, was “to obliterate the dividing line of size—a style barrier which, until now, determined who had the privilege and freedom to dress with quality and style.”
The Mulleavys are joining a handful of designers who recently made a case for size inclusivity. Other notables include Christian Siriano, Becca McCharen of Chromat, Prabal Gurung, Eckhaus Latta, and Maryam Nassir Zadeh.
When it came to collaborating with a fashion brand, Rodarte topped Universal Standard’s list.
“Working with Kate and Laura to provide access to beautiful, well-made clothing was not only a creative endeavor, but an important demonstration of what can happen when a joint mission is manifested,” ,” Universal Standard co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Alexandra Waldman said. “This collaboration proves that it is possible.”
Waldman hopes the collection will make a statement that “beautiful clothing for all women is possible, regardless of size.
“Body positivity is very important, but we also feel it is a personal journey,” she added, when asked about the conversation around the topic. “No brand should ask you for an emotional payment, veiled or otherwise, when you are thinking about buying a dress. We make beautiful clothes for women, and occasionally have the good fortune to collaborate with like-minded brands. We are determined that this will be the ‘new normal’. Simply put, this fashion for all of us, as we are.”
The collection is now available at Universalstandard.com and Universal Standard’s store at 65 Greene Street in Soho.
“We are determined to bring a ‘new normal’ into being – one that is inclusive of all of us, as we are – and we want to do it alongside brands that align with our vision,” Waldman said.
“This Rodarte x Universal Standard collaboration is shattering the glass by allowing more women than ever before to participate, be seen, and feel recognized.”