Footasylum buys streetwear brand Trapstar out of administration

Rochdale-headquartered Footasylum has agreed to acquire British streetwear label Trapstar’s business and assets following the company’s collapse into administration.

The retailer, which sells sports fashion and lifestyle products, called it a new partnership with Trapstar’s founders, Lee Langaigne, Will Thomas and Mikey Aryee. All three are staying on and will keep leading the brand’s creative direction and design.

Footasylum said it would supply the infrastructure and retail reach for the brand’s next stage of growth, and plans to extend Trapstar’s presence in selected Footasylum stores and online.

Administration

Trapstar was set up in West London in 2006 and has grown into one of the UK’s best-known streetwear labels. It has been endorsed by Rihanna, Stormzy and Jay-Z and has worked with Puma and OM New York.

Interpath’s administrators took charge of Trapstar Collective Limited on 29 May, with 57 jobs at risk. Frasers Group had reportedly also been in the frame as a bidder.

The sale of the business and assets was handled by Interpath’s Will Wright, Howard Smith and Rebecca Makaruk, who were appointed joint administrators.

Trapstar last filed accounts for the year ending December 2023, when it reported turnover of £29.5m and pre-tax profit of £1.67m. Its accounting period for 2024 was lengthened by six months, and those accounts have not yet been filed. In July 2025 the company was the subject of strike-off action, which was withdrawn a month later.

Footasylum, which is owned by European private equity firm Aurelius, is now one of the UK’s biggest sportswear and streetwear retailers and has put growing investment into developing fashion brands of its own.

“Genuinely extraordinary”

Hannah Mercer, chief executive of Footasylum, said: “Trapstar is one of the most iconic names to have come out of British streetwear. For more than two decades it has shaped culture, built a distinctive identity and earned a loyal following that extends far beyond the UK. It sits at the heart of fashion, music and culture, and its relevance to the consumers we serve made it a natural fit for Footasylum.

“Through labels such as Monterrain and Zavetti Canada, we have demonstrated our ability to build and scale brands that resonate with our audience, and we are confident that we can bring that same expertise, platform and investment to support Trapstar’s next phase of growth. Mikey, Lee and Will have built something genuinely extraordinary and we are proud to be the partners who help them take it to the next level.”

Mikey Aryee, Trapstar’s CEO and co-founder, said: “This is the right partnership at the right time. Hannah and the Footasylum team understand what we’re building. We’re focused on growing our product range, scaling our footwear collection which launched this year, and using Footasylum’s retail network to get it in front of the right people.”

Ravi Patel of Interpath, who led the deal for the joint administrators, said: “We are delighted to have secured this transaction with Footasylum, which will provide a strong and stable platform for continued growth while preserving Trapstar’s unique heritage and creative identity.”