Student Startup CLOSWAP Opens Flagship Store After Swapping 20,000 Garments
By Business Correspondent
What began as a makeshift clothes swap on Brick Lane — a rack, a cardboard sign, and three students with an idea — has now grown into one of the UK’s most exciting sustainable fashion ventures.
Now, CLOSWAP has officially opened its first permanent store in Finsbury, marking a major milestone for the brand that’s been making waves across London’s fashion and student scenes.
The concept is simple: bring in your clothes, and CLOSWAP buys them on the spot — no apps, no waiting, just instant resale, either in cash or store credit.
It’s part thrift store, part youth movement, and it’s struck a chord.
The brand was started by students Maria Remy, Peter Zakhar, and Dominik Vesely, who were frustrated by how slowly the fashion world was adapting to sustainability. Their first event was something of a social experiment — “Swap your outfit with a stranger,” read their handwritten sign. The idea caught fire almost instantly.
“In the early days, we were getting so many messages we had to run up to three events a day,” said Remy, now the company’s marketing lead. “We even had to bring on outside help just to keep up.”
From university pop-ups at UCL, King’s College, UAL, and Istituto Marangoni, to working with major student housing providers like Yugo and Scape, CLOSWAP has already re-circulated over 20,000 garments, saving an estimated 72,900kg of CO₂ and nearly 55 million litres of water in the process.
The new store is far from your average charity shop.
On Thursday nights, “CLOSWAP Thursdays” turn the space into a mini festival, complete with live DJs, community events, and even the occasional tattoo artist — one fan reportedly got the CLOSWAP logo inked mid-party.
“We’re not just another second-hand shop,” said Remy. “We’re building something people want to be part of.”
The grassroots energy hasn’t gone unnoticed. CLOSWAP has picked up several major accolades, including the Mayor of London’s Entrepreneur Award 2024, Startup of the Year at the British Business Awards, and Best Innovative Clothing Platform at the Global Leaders & Business Awards 2025.
Their ambition is now global. CLOSWAP’s next move includes enhancing their app — already dubbed “Tinder for clothes” — with AI-powered features and even blockchain technology that could turn garments into digital currency.
“We want clothes to have liquidity,” said Remy.
Investment interest is growing too, with UAE and international backers already on board for a planned U.S. launch, with eyes on New York and Los Angeles.
But for now, the team is focused on their new London base — a place to swap, connect, and imagine a future where fashion doesn’t cost the earth.
For more, visit www.closwap.com.
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