Tråd Collective: Independent sustainable fashion retailer in Leeds appeals for support amid rising costs

Sustainable fashion retailer Tråd Collective shared a heartfelt video on its social media accounts, detailing the challenges it has faced since relocating from Headingley to Vicar Lane last year.

Josefin Wanner and James Fenwick, founders the Swedish-inspired "slow fashion" store established in 2021, revealed that the business has been grappling with numerous difficulties, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and their move from Otley Road in November 2023.

In a direct plea to customers, Josefin said: “It has been very tough for us to rebuild, and despite our best efforts, we are now running out of cash and potentially facing closure. We’ve had to make hard decisions, including asking our amazing team to reduce their hours. James and I will not be taking a wage for the time being.”

She continued: “Here’s how you can help: leave a review on Google, tell your friends about us, or even better, buy your Christmas gifts from us.”

Don’t miss a single thing when it comes to news from Leeds with our free daily newsletter.

Tråd Collective specialises in upcycled fashion, aiming to make sustainable clothing more accessible to people in Leeds.

The relocation from Headingley to city centre was unavoidable, James explained at the time: “We were very sad to leave Headingley. We were given notice by our landlord to vacate as they had had a better offer from Greggs next door, they wanted to expand.

“As a small independent business, we couldn’t compete with them. But since we’ve moved we’ve had old customers from Headingley come visit us to support us which is so encouraging.”

The store’s style reflects Josefin's Swedish heritage while showcasing a variety of Yorkshire-based brands.

In addition to clothing, Tråd Collective offers lifestyle products such as prints from local artists, cruelty-free vegan nail varnish, jewellery from local designers and hair accessories and eye-masks crafted by Josefin herself.