Team travels. Berlin.

This year marks five years since we opened Universal Works Berlin, our first Partnership Store outside of the UK. What began as a shared project between friends has become an important part of our story and a blueprint for many of the partnerships that followed.

“When our friend and stockist in the city, Trueffelschwein, suggested we did more together, we were very happy to say yes. He talked about a franchise store, but we preferred our own model: a Partnership Store and a more shared commitment to the project and the partnership of them and UW.”

David Keyte, UW Co-Founder.

We spent a few days in the city catching up with the team, visiting some of our stockists and spending time with the people who make Berlin what it is. From neighbourhood institutions like Zebra Club to old friends at HHV and Magazzino, what stood out most was the sense of community that exists between them all.

See more from the trip and a little more about the places we visited below.

Zebra Club.

A Kreuzberg institution with three stores located within a few steps of one another. Each offers its own perspective on contemporary clothing and design, from a more “upmarket” selection to a contemporary concept store feel, serving a loyal local community while remaining deeply rooted in the neighbourhood.

HHV.

What began as a record store has grown into one of Berlin's best-known destinations for clothing, footwear and music culture. Located in Friedrichshain, HHV brings together streetwear, contemporary brands and one of the city's most respected vinyl selections. You might remember the special pieces we made with HHV a few years ago, inspired by their impeccable mix of music and apparel, together in one space.

Magazzino.

Situated in West Berlin, Magazzino combines classic menswear with a carefully curated selection of contemporary clothing. The result is a distinctive approach that bridges traditional tailoring and modern everyday style.

Trueffelschwein & UW Berlin.

UW Berlin is located on Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße, a street of incredible independent businesses, including Trueffelschwein. Their name means “truffle pig”, and stumbling across these stores is like finding a hidden gem too.

“We love being slightly off the grid, which may explain why our customers tend to be a little more relaxed and friendly.”

Lyon Roque, Trueffelschwein Co-Founder.

Berlin was our first international Partnership Store. We opened with the help of our friends Lyon, Ralph and the team from Trueffelschwein, and it represented a different way of thinking about retail. Our Partnership Stores aren’t a franchise, but a shared commitment to creating something together, with community at the heart of it all.