Trapstar: outfitters of London’s grime scene

On the London fashion scene, you hear the phrase ‘started as a stall at Portobello Market’ so often that you’d think launching an international brand from the streets of Notting Hill was easy. But when you’ve got a game as strong as Trapstar‘s, success is never far away.

The black-owned streetwear brand was launched by three friends from West London in 2008. Within a decade, Jay-Z had invested in Trapstar, and Rihanna was rocking their pieces across the pond. Of course, being in with the London grime scene helped things: when Stormzy took to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage wearing Trapstar boxers for his 2019 headline set, the brand’s spot in the UK streetwear scene became even more firmly secured.

Trapstar began as a market stall

Trapstar was, originally, a line of T-shirts that the three founders – who aim to maintain some anonymity – made and sold at London’s iconic Portobello Market. It became so popular that they launched their own Notting Hill store and it wasn’t long before the brand took off globally.

As well as wearing Trapstar styles, the brand’s friends on the UK rap scene have collaborated with the brand on their own collections. In 2021, Dave dropped a Trapstar line in conjunction with his new album. Its organic relationships like this, founded in Trapstar’s owners’ genuine love of and connection with underground music, that have paved the way for the brand to become what it is.

Atelier of the grime scene

In 2019, GQ Magazine called Trapstar ‘the ‘Supreme’ of the UK grime scene,’ and it’s not a bad connection. As they said, “where Palace and Supreme have skateboarding… Trapstar holds on to the streets”. And they know how to keep fans interested. Although Trapstar’s mainstream collections are available on their website and in many partnering stores, the brand has also jumped on the hype of exclusive drops.

Since they started out taking orders on trap phones and delivering clothing in pizza boxes, it’s no surprise that they’ve gone back to these roots. And Trapstar knows: If there’s one thing that makes your streetwear covetable now, it’s limited edition pieces.

So if you’re sitting at home, dreaming of launching your own brand but can’t see how to make it happen, let Trapstar be your inspiration. Three boys from West London did it, and so can you.