Fashion entrepreneur opens retail collective

A Leeds-based fashion business is helping independent Black-owned brands reach new customers through a shared retail and community space.

SANYAN Collective has opened at Chapeltown Enterprise Centre, providing a permanent home for founder Karen Williams’ fashion label while creating opportunities for other entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products.

Karen, an award-winning fashion designer, launched the venture after recognising the challenges many independent brands face in securing affordable retail space. 

Having previously sold through events and pop-ups, she wanted to create a more sustainable model for businesses seeking greater visibility and credibility.

The collective now supports ten independent brands spanning fashion, jewellery, skincare and homeware, including organic skincare producer 9 Ether Touch and menswear tailor King Bro Empire.

Alongside retail, the hub hosts community events and is expanding its offer with sewing workshops focused on reusing surplus materials. 

The venue is also available for meetings, photoshoots and customer collections.

Based at Chapeltown Enterprise Centre, the initiative has been supported by Unity Enterprise, which provides affordable business space and support services to diverse businesses across Leeds.

Karen said: “Moving into Chapeltown Enterprise Centre was the perfect move at precisely the right time.  

“I am grateful to Unity Enterprise for their support, including delivering the Breaking Barriers course which brought the three of us together. 

“I have started gaining local recognition, including being honoured with the Yorkshire Black Business Award for Retailer of the Year 2026.

“The long-term vision for SANYAN Collective is to become a permanent creative and cultural hub within Leeds and a long-term launchpad for emerging independent Black-owned brands – a place where businesses can gain visibility, grow sustainably and eventually move on to make space for the next generation of creatives.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise chief executive, added: “SANYAN Collective is a fantastic concept and a great way for local entrepreneurs to come together and share a space where they can sell and promote their wares.

“I am particularly pleased that two of the female entrepreneurs are Unity housing tenants, hopefully they will be trailblazers for many others to follow.  

“Unity Enterprise’s mission is to identify and offer people in hard-to-reach BME communities, including housing tenants, the chance to change their economic prospects by encouraging them to view business as a sustainable and rewarding career.

“Karen is a role model for what can be achieved with a sharp business idea, a willingness to collaborate, a drive to succeed and the support we can provide.”   

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