Take a Seat With: Charlie Wright

Fashion brand founder collaborates with artists affected by homelessness

Clothing label Hopeful Traders founder Charlie Wright set up the fashion brand to offer a platform for artists who have experienced homelessness as designers for their clothing range.

Hopeful Traders is also set up to showcase the artists’ work and to also provide an easy way for people to donate to a good cause.

Charlie, an ex-sound engineer, gave up his London job to run his self-funded project, which he set up in 2015.

His first collaborator was veteran David Tovey, whose illness had destroyed his career as entrepreneur and chef.

Artist David Tovey (David Tovey / Hopeful Traders)

Through Hopeful Traders, David was able to turn his life around.

David used the earnings from the sales of his Hopeful Traders collaboration to purchase a sewing machine to produce the collection for his own fashion show for the Museum of Homelessness and Tate Modern.

Charlie said that the way Hopeful Traders work is that they collaborate with artists with a story to tell, and a message about homelessness or mental health.


 Founder Charlie Wright gave up his job to launch Hopeful Traders 
 (Charlie Wright / Hopeful Traders)

They work together on clothing design and the sales are split between the artist and charity the artists wishes to support.

All its products are responsibly sourced.

Hopeful Traders are currently collaborating with artist ANXTI for Mental Health Awareness Week. The collaboration will be available from tomorrow, 8 May ad proceeds will go to The Mental Health Foundation.

Take a Seat With was filmed in Sofa Workshop, 84 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 4TG.