Discover the Universal Colours Brand
History
Universal Colours is a cycling apparel brand based out of London. Whilst our debut collection launched in the summer of 2020, early development began back in 2018 when our small team of keen cyclists came together to realise a vision: create a global performance brand with strong values, acknowledging cyclists see their clothing as an extension of their views and personality.
There aren’t many sports as in tune with the natural world as ours and we wanted the brand name to encompass both this connection and the human interaction cycling provokes.
‘Universal’ represents our inclusive approach, encouraging everyone to share the joy of cycling and inviting individuals from all walks of life to connect through a mutual passion for sports and adventure.
‘Colours’ depicts progression, change and emotion. Whether that’s through the changing of the seasons and the natural tones that accompany it or the ever-changing colour palettes of fashion; we take note of our surroundings and evolve with them.Discover the UC Brand.
Vision
Our partners to develop sustainable practices and create garments with a focus on originality, durability and responsibility. This is our mission: to bring cyclists some of the finest, considerately sourced performance apparel our industry has seen.
We aren’t always looking at sustainability from the perspective of using recycled raw materials. As cyclists, we understand that our kit has a tough life through repetitive use and washing. Ensuring our kit is durable is as important to the wider sustainability issue as the production itself. We are committed to changing the way cycling apparel is manufactured. A collaborative approach allows us to adapt, progress and create the most carefully considered, high-quality product possible.
We only work with factories internationally audited for social and environmental good practice, and this will never change. We evolve, adapt and constantly look outside of our industry for inspiration, be that outdoor, streetwear or high fashion. We pay homage to the changing seasons and consistent rides that look different year-round. As such, we view our collections as a continuation of our story, a new volume rather than a new season.
As part of our inclusive approach, our collections include unisex pieces and we use the same colour palette across genders.
Values
The brand is an idea that has been formed around the core values we believe in as a team. These values sit firmly at the forefront of every decision we make. This includes an open, honest and transparent approach in everything we do and how we communicate, being progressive in vision and design, and being considerate without ever compromising the performance of our garments.
We also believe there is a cost of doing business on this planet and that we need to take responsibility. As a way of putting our money where our mouth is, we are proud to be a member of 1% for the Planet.
This means that we have pledged to donate 1% of our annual sales to nonprofits that ensure that our planet and future generations thrive.
Supply
At Universal Colours, we are proud of our clothing’s journey and believe strongly in transparency and ethical practice. Our clothing is made globally. The ma§jority of our garments are produced at LTP in Lithuania, one of Europe’s most renowned sportswear manufacturers and a bluesign® accredited factory. The bluesign® system is a comprehensive production control system designed to limit the impact of textile manufacturing on human health and the environment. Open-minded, progressive and flexible, LTP doesn’t just embrace, but actively promotes the creativity necessary to develop our clothing. We are also working with a factory in China and Taiwan for select pieces and accessories in our collections. Both factories are internationally audited for social and environmental good practice.
Similarly, we work with mills across the world. Two prime examples are M.I.T.I. S.P.A. in Italy, a leading manufacturer of stretch jersey fabrics and Payen in France, the European leader in elastic yarns and stretch fabrics. To keep our carbon footprint to a minimum, we try to select fabrics that are manufactured within the same region as the factories. The technical aspects, origin of fabrics and production are listed on our product detail pages for all garments.
Innovation
We are committed to changing the way cycling apparel is manufactured. A collaborative approach with our suppliers allows us to adapt, progress and create garments that are made to last and informed by rider experience. By encouraging to rethink processes and questioning the status quo across the supply chain, we are constantly seeking improvement.
As a team, we believe that innovation is not only directly linked to production and the latest manufacturing techniques and fabric technologies that inform the design process, but is also achieved by dialogue and sharing new ideas to approach matters in a more progressive, forward-thinking way.