The next chapter in circular fashion is here. CLOSWAP, the student-founded startup making waves for its hands-on approach to secondhand clothing, has launched its first physical store in Finsbury after recirculating over 20,000 items via pop-up events across the capital.
Set up by three university friends keen to disrupt fast fashion with something better, CLOSWAP turns buying and selling clothes into a fast, frictionless, community experience.
Unlike most resale platforms, the Finsbury store doesn’t rely on tech-heavy processes. Shoppers simply bring in their items and receive an offer — in cash or store credit — instantly. No need for apps, photos, or listings.
CLOSWAP’s origins are as humble as they are iconic. With a single clothes rail and a cardboard sign reading “Swap your outfit with a stranger,” Maria Remy, Peter Zakhar, and Dominik Vesely launched their idea on Brick Lane. The response? Viral.
Student inboxes filled up overnight. “We had to run up to three events a day,” said Remy, CLOSWAP’s marketing lead. Demand was so strong that they quickly scaled with external help.
Their mission took them through 45 pop-ups at universities including UCL, King’s College London, and University of Westminster, as well as student housing partners like Yugo and Scape. In doing so, they’ve not only created a new shopping experience but also saved an estimated 72,900kg of CO₂ and more than 54.7 million litres of water.
Along the way, the team’s work has been recognised with 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 store is more than retail — it’s a creative playground. “CLOSWAP Thursdays” host DJs, art moments, and unplanned excitement. One night, a customer even got the brand’s logo tattooed live. “We’re not just another thrift shop,” Remy said. “We’re building a brand people feel part of.”
Their ambitions extend beyond London. With an app dubbed “Tinder for clothes,” CLOSWAP is now integrating AI for smarter matches and exploring blockchain tech to create clothing-backed digital assets. “We want clothes to have liquidity,” Remy added.
With UAE and other global investors now on board, CLOSWAP is preparing to scale its vision to the U.S., with New York and LA firmly in its sights.
To learn more, visit www.closwap.com.