Good People, Good Places. NYC.

Over the past few seasons, we’ve been connecting with our global Universal Works family by spotlighting the Good People and Good Places within our network of stockists. Their role in our story cannot be overstated, and we take pride in showcasing their contributions and the UW fans in their communities. One such stockist is Westerlind, a multi-brand outdoor lifestyle boutique with a mission to curate the best outdoor gear from around the globe. We’ve partnered with them for several pop-ups in New York City, with our latest collaboration taking place at 77 E Houston Street, running until 10th November 2024. (Read more about that here.)

As part of this venture, we asked Andrea Westerlind to nominate three key figures from her community for our ongoing Good People Good Places project. She introduced us to a group of locals making a significant impact: Hillary France, founder of Brand Assembly, which helps emerging designers connect with top retailers; Glen Webb, photographer and founder of his eponymous production company which is focused on slow advertising; and Tricia Kirkland, co-founder of one of Manhattan’s first-ever natural wine shops.

Read on below for more on Good People, Good Places NYC.

Glenn – Glenn Webb

Glenn first discovered Westerlind about three or four years ago and has been hooked ever since, drawn to their blend of beauty and functionality. Splitting his time between Los Angeles and New York City for the past 12 years, Glenn’s production company has collaborated with Westerlind on several editorial projects, including their latest for Universal Works (check it out here). For Glenn, it’s always the people that keep him returning to New York.

Tricia Kirkland – Wine Therapy

Tricia’s connection with Westerlind began when a jumpsuit in their window display caught her eye during their early days. Since then, she’s been a regular visitor. Alongside her ex-husband and now best friend, Jean Baptiste, she co-founded one of Manhattan’s first organic natural wine shops Wine Therapy over 20 years ago — a journey full of challenges and growth.

"I remember we had 'organic' on our sign, and people would walk by and say, 'gross,'" she recalls with a laugh. "So, we took it off." Over time, their focus shifted to educating customers, and as attitudes toward natural wine evolved, their pioneering status earned them enduring respect in the wine community. “When people ask if we have any orange wine, I say, yes — we’ve had it for 20 years!”

Hillary France – Brand Assembly

I never woke up in the morning and said, ‘I want to start a trade show,’” Hillary says when asked about the motivations behind her agency, Brand Assembly. “I think it’s more about putting people in spaces where they’re interacting, doing business, being successful, and having fun.” This is a philosophy that Universal Works can definitely get behind.

She founded Brand Assembly to help emerging designers connect with the right retailers and gain the business knowledge needed to grow. Her commitment to fostering collaboration in the fashion industry makes her a vital player in the community.

Andrea Westerlind – Westerlind

As for Andrea Westerlind, it’s clear that her mission to bring together the best outdoor and lifestyle brands in the world extends beyond just great products. A key aspect of her success lies in her ability to cultivate a community of enthusiasts — each doing remarkable things in their own right and carrying the torch forward.

See more from Westerlind here.