As part of our latest Future Friendship Project, we have partnered up with our long-standing friends and stockists, based in Toronto, Uncle Otis. Together we created a very limited run of Uncle Otis x Universal Works Re-Works Military Liner available exclusively with Uncle Otis.
We spoke to Vince Lai, store manager and buyer for the store who recalls how the collaboration came about "I remember a buying meeting I had with David and he said 'I think I've got something you'll love. Turns out he was right on the money. The US Military Liner has been used for many decades and we love the idea of upcycling and adding more utility to something so versatile. The hits of brown cord are my favourite, a contrast of colour and texture. My only problem is deciding which one I'll take home with me."
For clothing lovers, the words ‘Limited Edition are guaranteed to get pulses racing - the Vintage Military Liners truly are limited editions, made under the Universal Works “Re-Works” label. (Universal Re-Works is our umbrella name for all activities relating to prolonging the life cycle of clothing.) These one-of-a-kind pieces have gone through the process of repairs and upcycling. Using prior season fabrics, we re-worked the jackets to make them more wearable and give them a new lease of life.
UW co-founder and designer David Keyte says, “I've been collecting pieces of vintage military clothing for a while, repairing, rethinking and upcycling is something we enjoy doing. The reworking of these liners felt like a perfect piece for our friends at Uncle Otis. We have a great relationship with Donnell and Vince over in Toronto and Uncle Otis is one of our favourite retailers globally, - they're always up for something special.
I have one of the reworked liners myself and really love it - I'm sure they won't stay on the shelves for long. I like to think of them as jackets from humble beginnings, reinvented into truly unique pieces, genuine and honest."
The Uncle Otis x Universal Works Re-works Military Liner features, two waist side pockets; an interior chest pocket; an exterior contrasting brown corduroy chest pocket; double zipper front closure; and corduroy elbow patches and underarm gussets. Each piece is embroidered with “UO x UW” with an additional peace sign on the back of the garment.
We hope you enjoy this garment as much as we had fun creating it.
