Leeds independent retail centre welcomes sustainable slow fashion brand

Leeds Corn Exchange, the city’s “home of independent retail”, has announced a brand new addition to its line-up of shops, cafes, and salons.

Joining the 27 independents already based at Leeds Corn Exchange is TOM-O, a sustainable, slow fashion brand that aims to celebrate the sentiment of clothing and extend the life of garments rather than sending them to landfill.

TOM-O, which was launched in March 2021, is the brainchild of founder and designer Sarah Thompson, a Sheffield Hallam University graduate whose designs have helped secure opportunities with brands including upcycling marketplace, Reture and clothing rental app, By Rotation.

The TOM-O shop, which opens on February 5 at Leeds Corn Exchange, is the brand’s first physical retail presence and offers a space for Sarah to talk customers through the process of taking the old and making it into something new.

TOM-O makes ready made garments and also takes in customers unwanted clothing, garments and materials and uses patchwork techniques to transform them into made to order pieces.

Sarah Thompson said: “I’m so excited to be opening the TOM-O store. When looking for premises it was really important for me to move near other like minded businesses, so to be surrounded by unique brands at the Corn Exchange is the perfect fit.”

“It’s fantastic to have a space where I can communicate with customers and display my garments and I’m really looking forward to welcoming everyone to the store for our opening weekend.”

Adam Warner, centre manager at the Corn Exchange, added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming another fantastic brand into the Corn Exchange. We have seen so many new and existing brands open in the building and it’s fantastic to see them thriving.

“TOM-O is exactly the kind of business we love at Leeds Corn Exchange, an exciting new concept run by a passionate and talented person in Sarah. We look forward to watching the business flourish here.”