Me and The Project
Hi, I’m Barbara.
This has been on my mind for a while. I wanted to create something that brings together a few parts of who I am: my love for reflecting and talking about real life — the messy, beautiful, everyday kind — my need for creative expression, and my passion for fashion.
Over the past few years — through therapy, motherhood, and simply growing into a new decade of life — I’ve changed. I think differently. I express myself differently. And this project feels like a reflection of that evolution.
UYWP pieces are not meant to be just another T-shirt with a slogan. Each piece carries a story — a personal experience, a learning, or a practice that has shaped the way I see life. My hope is that you can connect with these pieces in your own way.
Wearing a UYWP piece is less about trends and more about expression.
Because nothing replaces being human, authentic, and truly seen.
The Name
The name comes from a few places.
First, I’m the mother of a six-year-old boy. When he’s overwhelmed or frustrated, one of the things I say most often is: “Use your words.” It helps him slow down, name what he’s feeling, understand what he needs, and express it clearly.
In many ways, that’s also what I hope this project encourages — taking a moment to reflect on our everyday lives, our struggles, our wins, and finding the words for them.
Second, English isn’t my first language. In my mother language, Portuguese, the verb “use” is what we naturally say when talking about clothing. For a long time I mixed the two up, and it became a bit of an internal joke. But it also reminded me that language is imperfect. It’s personal. It’s something we grow into. That felt meaningful.
And honestly, “wear your words” just doesn’t sound that good, right? Haha.
Use Your Words feels human — a little imperfect, but real.