A Glasgow-based charity has set up its fashion brand in a new city centre location after being forced to close when its rent tripled.

On a mission to end homelessness, fashion brand The Blankfaces has set up a new pop-up store at the Social Hub on Candleriggs, Glasgow.

The charity faced a major challenge when the rent, bills, and rates at its West End store more than tripled, meaning founder Gerard McKenzie Govan had to close the premises earlier this month.

Working out of the shop in the West End's Great Western Road, The Blankfaces also offered a foodbank and a safe place for vulnerable people, alongside its clothing goods which are co-created with people who have experienced homelessness.

Founder Gerard said: “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.

"Footfall was down, but costs were going up – it just wasn’t sustainable." 

Now The Blankfaces new home in the social hub will allow them to continue work on helping people experiencing homelessness.

The social hub opened in Glasgow earlier this year and is run as part hotel, part student accommodation, and part coworking space. The organisation has similar venues all across Europe including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Florence, Vienna, Paris, and Madrid.

The Glasgow location is the first of its kind in the UK.

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Ben McLeod, general manager at The Social Hub in Glasgow, said it was an easy decision to invite The Blankfaces to set up shop there.

He said: “When we heard about The Blankfaces having to close their West End store, we knew we had to step in.

“Since launching earlier this year, we’ve looked for brands we can support that reflect what The Social Hub is all about, and The Blankfaces’ mission to end homelessness through fashion aligns perfectly with our values. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to support such a meaningful cause.”

Gerard outside the west end store on Great Western RoadGerard outside the west end store on Great Western Road (Image: Blankfaces)

The Blankfaces, which was founded in 2018, was inspired by founder Gerard’s own experience of living in a homeless hotel run by his mother in Ayr.

Each designer who has experienced homelessness will also receive a portion of the sales revenue, with the rest of the proceeds channelled back into charitable projects aimed at supporting homeless communities.

The new pop-up at the social hub will launch tomorrow on Friday September 27, and is in the foyer of the venue.

 A brand-new range of designs from the charity will be available including limited-edition trousers, ponchos, and shirts – all made using organic dry wax cotton and surplus materials from Halley Stevenson in Dundee.

Gerard added: “This collection is limited edition, using end-of-roll materials, so once they’re sold out, they’re gone forever.

“We have exciting plans for this pop-up, and while we’re still looking for a permanent new store, you can find us here at The Social Hub. It’s a great fit for us, as we share the same ethos – The Social Hub is all about real community impact.”