Closet London enters liquidation after three decades of trading

British womenswear label Closet London has entered voluntary liquidation after nearly 30 years in business.

News comes after directors at the retail group officially appointed insolvency specialists Duncan Coutts and Rupen Patel of Coots and Boots on 21 July to manage the process. 

Creditors have since ratified the decision, giving the firm authority to proceed with the winding-up.

Closet London was founded in 1996 and became known for its bold prints and tailored silhouettes, producing all collections in the UK. The company reported multimillion-pound turnover at its peak but struggled to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

The directors cited Brexit-related trade barriers, rising sector costs and seasonal volatility as factors in the business’s decline. The firm’s remaining assets are limited to stock and machinery of low resale value.

Patel said: “Closet London has been a bold and distinctive presence in British fashion for nearly 30 years. While the business could not withstand today’s retail pressures, its design legacy endures. Our role now is to ensure an orderly wind-down in the best interests of all stakeholders.”

The brand rebranded in 2015 to highlight its London identity and produced nine limited-edition collections each year. It also launched a sustainability initiative, Closet Cares, which introduced organic cotton and recycled fibres.

Despite strong reviews for quality and design, the label received mixed feedback on customer service, particularly around returns. Its closure brings an end to one of the UK’s longer-standing independent womenswear brands.