The loud, cheery and comfy fashion shop that's landing on Edinburgh cobbled street for Christmas
This brand is opening in the city centre
If you’re planning on getting through winter via the power of comfy and colourful threads, then Lucy & Yak may be the brand for you. On Friday November 28, they will be opening their first Scottish branch on Edinburgh's Rose Street. We asked their head of retail, Ginny Yang, to tell us more.
Who is Lucy & Yak?
Founded in 2017, it’s an independent, people-focused brand, dedicated to upholding a positive environmental and social impact; showcasing that business can and should be done differently. Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick co-founded Lucy & Yak following their travels across the world in their van, affectionately named Yak. The story began down-under in New Zealand where they got their first taste of entrepreneurship selling handmade tobacco pouches crafted from vintage clothing. On return to the UK, Yak became their home as well as the HQ for their next venture - buying and selling vintage clothing. They quickly realised dungarees were their best seller and with the success of their unofficial business so far, were eager to expand their operation beyond the confines of their beloved Yak.
Armed with their self-taught business mindsets, the pair did their research and began working with a small business in rural India to create a line of ethically-made dungarees. They made 30 pairs with the tailors there, and they sold out in hours, so they made another 100, and the same thing happened.
Today, Lucy & Yak operates out of their Brighton Head Office and Barnsley Distribution Centre, with a team of over 200 people - and although e-commerce was their first love, they now have 12 bricks and mortar shops, with Edinburgh opening as the 13th. Lucy & Yak are on a mission to promote a way of sourcing, producing and doing business that positively impacts both people and the planet. Using sustainable fabric choices, their products are made using organic, natural, recycled or deadstock fabrics. The brand was recently re-certified following their audit for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard), with the addition of OCS (Organic Content Standard) ensuring the product is certified throughout all processing stages. They’re known for its joyful clothing that inspires people to find comfort in their choices and themselves.
Why the first Scottish store in Edinburgh, and why Rose Street?
We’re so excited to be opening our very first Scottish store in Edinburgh. The city has such a vibrant, creative energy, and we’ve felt the love from our Scottish customers for a long time, so bringing a physical Lucy & Yak space here felt like the natural next step for us. Rose Street stood out immediately - it has character, history, and a brilliant mix of independents that really align with our values. We wanted a spot that felt welcoming, community-focused, and true to who we are, and Rose Street gives us exactly that. The new store will be a place not just to shop but to connect, create, and take part in our circular initiatives like Re:Yak.
What have you done to the property?
Taking on this space from its previous tenants has been a really exciting blank canvas. The property came to us as a functioning retail unit, but not yet the warm, joyful or pink Lucy & Yak space our community knows and loves. So our team has been busy transforming it from top to bottom - refreshing the interiors, bringing in our signature pink palette, adding natural wood details, and creating those cosy, creative corners that make our stores feel like home.
What is the age range of your customers?
Lucy & Yak is for everybody - we see lots of students, young professionals, and anyone who loves sustainable, colourful, and joyful clothing. Our community isn’t limited by age - we get customers of all ages popping into our shops or shopping online, from teens discovering their style to adults who love ethical, fun, and comfy pieces.
What will be stocked in the Edinburgh store? Accessories as well as clothes?
Absolutely! Customers can expect our signature colourful and sustainable clothing, from dungarees and trousers to tops, dresses, and outerwear. Alongside that, we’ll also have accessories - think bags, hats, scarves, and other little pieces that complete your outfit. Plus, the store will include a space for our buyback scheme Re:Yak PreLoved, so, in return for a voucher, people can bring back old Lucy & Yak items, which we’ll then repair, recycle, or resell.
Is this a good time of year to be opening?
Our teams have been busy with the build to have the space ready for the festive period. We celebrate Black Friday differently from other brands - focusing our energy on sending girls to school with our partnership with the Fior Di Loto Foundation, so there’s even more of a reason to celebrate.
Why are physical shops still important?
They give our community a place to truly experience the brand in person. Online is great for convenience and reaching our international customers, but stepping into one of our little pink shops lets people see, touch, and try on our clothes. Our stores are also hubs for community and creativity - from our circular fashion initiatives like Re:Yak to our events programme across our shops. They’re also key for reaching new customers who might not have discovered us online yet, or want to get a sense for the brand in person. Bricks-and-mortar stores are about so much more than shopping; they’re about connection, inspiration, and bringing our values to life in a space you can feel, which is something the internet can’t replicate.
3 Hanover Buildings, 70 Rose Street, www.lucyandyak.com
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