One of the UK’s most exciting Gen Z-led fashion disruptors, CLOSWAP, has officially opened its flagship secondhand clothing store in Finsbury, following the successful re-circulation of over 20,000 garments through university pop-ups alone.
Founded by three university students determined to make sustainable fashion quicker and more inclusive, CLOSWAP has rapidly gained recognition for transforming resale into a community-centred movement.
The newly launched Finsbury location offers an instant, no-fuss resale experience — customers can bring in their garments and receive either immediate cash or store credit, with no need for listings or apps.
The brand’s journey began modestly on Brick Lane, with Maria Remy, Peter Zakhar, and Dominik Vesely encouraging passers-by to “Swap your outfit with a stranger” — a phrase handwritten on a cardboard sign that quickly captured public attention.
That early experiment sparked viral buzz. “We had to run up to three events a day,” said Remy, CLOSWAP’s marketing lead. “University inboxes and halls were overflowing with messages.” The team even had to enlist extra staff to meet demand.
CLOSWAP has since hosted 45 events across leading universities including UCL, King’s College London, UAL, Istituto Marangoni, and Westminster, as well as student housing partners like Yugo, Scape, and Chapter. In total, they’ve kept over 20,000 items in circulation, saving an estimated 72,900kg of CO₂ and more than 54.7 million litres of water.
Recognition has followed. CLOSWAP has earned titles including the Mayor of London’s Entrepreneur Award 2024, Startup of the Year at the British Business Awards 2024, and Best Innovative Clothing Platform at the Global Leaders & Business Awards 2025.
The new Finsbury venue is more than a retail space — it’s a cultural hub. Thursday evenings are transformed into “CLOSWAP Thursdays,” featuring DJs, community pop-ups, and spontaneous moments like one customer getting the brand’s logo tattooed during a live set. “We’re not just another thrift shop,” Remy said. “We’re building a brand people feel part of.”
While its physical presence is central, CLOSWAP’s tech ambitions are equally bold. Its app — known as the “Tinder for clothes” — is being upgraded with AI-powered matching and future blockchain integration, aiming to turn fashion into a liquid digital asset. “We want clothes to have liquidity,” Remy added.
With backing already secured from UAE and overseas investors, CLOSWAP is now fundraising to support a strategic U.S. rollout, with eyes set firmly on fashion-forward cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
For further details, visit www.closwap.com.
