Model, designer, and entrepreneur Lauren Chan is refusing to let the fashion industry quietly step backward on size inclusivity. On October 22 at New York City's Pearl Box, Chan joined forces with Universal Standard to debut their 2026 holiday capsule. Spanning sizes 00 through 40, the eight-piece collection channels 1970s elegance through premium textiles and standout shapes, featuring wide-leg trousers, a cropped faux fur coat, and a satin-lapel tuxedo jacket. Retailing between $128 and $388, the garments are designed to transition seamlessly from seasonal festivities well into the new year and beyond.

A Shared Vision For Radical Inclusion

The alliance between Chan and Universal Standard runs deep. After launching her luxury plus-size label Henning in 2019, Chan saw the brand acquired by Universal Standard in 2023. This enduring partnership serves as a direct pushback against an industry that Chan argues has grown increasingly comfortable leaving out larger shoppers. “I want folks to feel powerful and sexy in these pieces. I want everyone to fit into them, and I want the collection re-worn well after the holidays,” Chan stated. “I have always, and continue to believe in telling people who wear up to a size 40 that they deserve to have access to luxe garments because, really, it’s about so much more than the clothes.”

Tailoring, Romance, and Yves Saint Laurent Inspiration

The capsule merges sharp structural tailoring with romantic chiffon and lace accents. Among Chan’s personal highlights is a tuxedo suit that pays direct tribute to Yves Saint Laurent. “Well, to know me is to know that I love a suit,” Chan noted. She also praised a versatile, high-neck and low-back dress influenced by Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester.

Universal Standard holds a dedicated following among plus-size consumers for its unwavering dedication to fit across the entire size spectrum. Ramon Martin, the brand's Chief Creative Officer, emphasizes that inclusivity cannot be an afterthought. “We don’t add inclusivity at the end of the design process. It’s where we begin,” Martin explained. “We develop every piece with the understanding that great design should translate beautifully across all sizes, and that takes incredible intention, from fabric selection and construction to fit and proportion.” Martin noted that tailoring structured pieces requires intense technical precision. “The goal is always the same: to make sure that someone wearing a size 00 has the same experience, quality and sense of luxury as someone wearing a size 40. Neither should have to compromise.”

Pushing Back Against Industry Regression

The collection debuts amid renewed scrutiny over the fashion sector shrinking its participation boundaries. Chan, a longtime champion for better access and representation, finds the regression disheartening. “I want to tell people that I know it’s hurtful and frustrating that clothing options above size 14 have dwindled,” she remarked. “We were so close to feeling genuinely included in the fashion industry a few years ago, with contemporary brands launching extended sizes, designers putting plus-size models on the runway, even Hollywood casting bigger bodies, and now that feels like a fever dream.”

“I think that everyone who’s revoked their inclusion of our community is deeply and utterly uncool. How boring and unoriginal to be devoted to a singular, subservient form of beauty.” — Lauren Chan

While marketing has frequently embraced superficial inclusivity, long-term investments in extended-sizing inventory remain rare. True representation in ads has often failed to translate into actual product availability. Martin views collaborative efforts as essential tools for dismantling industry norms. “Collaborations let us explore new creative perspectives while continuing to challenge the industry’s ideas of who fashion is designed for,” he shared. “Lauren has an incredible eye and a deep understanding of what the market has historically lacked.”

Broader Partnerships and Future Advocacy

The launch also spotlighted Chan's capacity as Global Inclusivity Ambassador for footwear label Naturalizer, uniting two distinct fashion sectors around expanded sizing. For Chan, teaming up with Universal Standard and Naturalizer feels entirely organic. “Throughout my career, I have found that the brands operating from an ethos of inclusivity are flexible, agile, and excited when it comes to working with partners,” she observed. Martin echoed this sentiment, noting that cross-brand alliances reshape consumer expectations. “More importantly, they reinforce the idea that inclusivity shouldn’t be the exception. When consumers see more brands embracing that philosophy, it starts to shift what they expect from the industry, and that’s where real change happens.”

Following the Henning acquisition, Chan has broadened her activism to champion equity across Asian American, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ communities. “Now, I have much stronger opinions, and a lot less acceptance for people or organizations that exclude others based on stigma,” she said.

Bringing this uncompromising philosophy to the holiday capsule, Chan rejects the notion that luxury clothing is merely an aspirational reward rather than a fundamental right. “I know that these customers are as valuable as their smaller peers. I know that they have equally important places to go, and I know they deserve to present themselves in an elevated way,” she declared. Offering a final piece of advice for the festive season, Chan offered a clear directive: “You know what is cool? Being radically celebratory of yourself, as you are.”