The Bakers Jacket Project. Kojo Marfo.

In case you missed it, we turned 15 this year. And as part of the celebrations, we are launching a project that has been in the pipeline for some time now. We are inviting artists within our community to create a one-of-a-kind custom piece using our Bakers Jacket as their canvas. In every UW collection since the start, the Bakers Jacket is inspired by the jacket our Co-Founder David’s dad used to wear as a baker—made today for you to wear wherever you like.

Our first collaboration is with Kojo Marfo, a Ghanaian artist and long-time friend of UW, based in South London. Abstract, figurative and bright, his work is inspired by the traditional Akan artefacts, sculptures and carvings he saw growing up. Through his art, he aims to highlight social issues and showcase the beauty of Africa’s social and geographical fabric.

 “The Bakers Jacket was a classic for me from the moment I first saw it. I sometimes even refer to it as my ‘uniform’, since everything I buy from UW has to fit within the style of the Bakers Jacket. So when UW reached out to let me know they’re celebrating their 15th anniversary and asked if I’d be interested, I immediately said yes. I love the idea of adding a personal touch to the jacket to make it uniquely mine.”

We dropped in to see Kojo at his studio over the summer, getting an insight into his world and his painting process. He talked us through the message of his artwork and accompanying poem, The Rising Sun:

“As the sun ascends,

It paints the sky with hues of hope,

Casting away the shadows of doubt,

Life sometimes can be very difficult,

But when we look deeper, and deeper,

We always find hope, hope is what we all need."

He explains why he chose this as the theme for his project;

 "The rising sun serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and what’s possible when we don’t give up. It’s a message of hope for everyone: no matter where life takes us, there will come a day when we, too, will rise and shine bright again. There is always a new dawn waiting to light our way.”

You will have the chance to see Kojo’s Bakers Jacket at our exhibition—a night of drinks, music and great chat, and limited edition signed prints of the artwork, posters and t-shirts to shop. It will be hosted by Kojo and UW, 

held at our Coal Drops Yard store, where, coincidentally, our friendship started.

“I love spending weekends roaming around London, and one winter Saturday, my friend and I decided to explore Camden Town, then took the scenic canal route to Hackney. When we reached King’s Cross, we wandered into Coal Drops Yard. A striking window display caught our attention, so we went inside, and I spotted a baseball hat with an unusually long peak. That hat marked the start of my love for Universal Works.”

Extending Kojo’s message of hope, we are partnering with The New Horizon Youth Centre, the only youth-specific homeless day centre in London, whose work makes a big difference in the lives of young Londoners who find themselves homeless. They are asking for help running their services over the Christmas period (which typically costs them about £14,500 from Christmas Day through to New Year’s Eve), so they can continue providing hot meals, gifts and essential items, as well as booking young people without long-term housing into hostels or hotels. 

This winter, they are asking people to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, where any donations made via the Big Give page between the 3rd -10th December will be doubled—including all proceeds (and any extra donations) from our event prints, posters and t-shirts.

Keep an eye out for more info on the collaboration and how to RSVP to the event.