CLOSWAP Launches First Brick-and-Mortar Store in Finsbury, Sets Sights on U.S. Expansion

CLOSWAP, the student-led sustainable fashion brand, has opened its first permanent retail space in Finsbury, North London, following the successful re-circulation of more than 20,000 garments through a series of university pop-ups.

Founded by Maria Remy, Peter Zakhar, and Dominik Vesely, CLOSWAP aims to make sustainable fashion more accessible by offering an alternative to traditional resale platforms.

The Finsbury store enables customers to sell their pre-loved garments directly, receiving instant payment or store credit without the need to list items online.

CLOSWAP started as a street initiative in Brick Lane, where the founders invited the public to “Swap your outfit with a stranger.” That campaign quickly went viral, drawing significant attention from students and young professionals.

Soon, their events were in high demand. “We had to run up to three events a day,” said Remy, CLOSWAP’s marketing lead. The trio expanded operations and recruited additional support to manage turnout.

Their university roadshow included UCL, King’s College London, UAL, and more, while also partnering with accommodation providers such as Chapter, Yugo, and Scape. This initiative contributed to significant environmental impact — cutting nearly 73 tonnes of carbon emissions and saving tens of millions of litres of water.

CLOSWAP’s achievements have earned it widespread industry recognition, including several awards: the Mayor of London’s Entrepreneur Award, Startup of the Year at the British Business Awards, and Best Innovative Clothing Platform at the Global Leaders & Business Awards 2025.

The Finsbury space serves as both a retail outlet and community venue. Weekly events known as “CLOSWAP Thursdays” attract local creatives, DJs, and fashion lovers. “We’re not just another thrift shop,” Remy said. “We’re building a brand people feel part of.”

In parallel, CLOSWAP continues developing its digital platform — a clothing exchange app described as the “Tinder for clothes.” Upcoming features include AI-based matching and future blockchain integration to enhance garment traceability and value. “We want clothes to have liquidity,” Remy added.

Backed by international investors including partners from the UAE, CLOSWAP is currently raising funds to enter the U.S. market, with expansion plans focused on New York and Los Angeles.

Further information is available at www.closwap.com.