Looptworks Upcycled Skirt. Pin Me!
Who says environmental clothing isn’t affordable and adorable? Obviously, you haven’t been to Looptworks website. They takes excess materials left over in clothing manufacturing production and up-cycle them into funky designs. Did I mention price conscious as well? What I love about Looptworks is they design their products around the remnants received not the other way around. Waste reduction at its best.
Instead of boring you with my gushing and true admiration of the Company’s vision, I urge you to listen to co-founder, Scott Hamlin’s interview via video and podcast. (Spoiler alert: Hamlin’s upcycle company is genius –Saving the Planet through design.)
Environmental Silver Lining
The NY Times reported in 2010 that 15 to 20% of the fabric used to produce clothing end up in landfills since it is cheaper to toss then recycle. From an environmental perspective, that’s a ton of waste bound to overcrowded landfills. Upcycling clothing has such a smaller carbon and chemical footprint . No growing, harvest, pesticides, transporting, water consumption, manufacturing or dying. Just pure cuteness.
Even despite the environmental aspect of throwing away the fabric, Scott Hamlin, co-founder of the Company, explains in his video interview that the cost to dispose of the fabric is costly. He personally knows. At his prior company, he signed the checks for the fabric disposal.
Environmental Clothing with Pizzazz
Hamlin and partner in fabric rescue, Gary Peck, whip up amazing clothing and accessories from the upcycled material. And we aren’t talking about boring, just stitch together yesterday type of look. The trim and details of a piece are born from what the Company receives.
Looptworks Martajam Skirt
Take a look at the Martajam Skirt pictured above (which I heart). I love the zipper and insert of contrasting material. Given the small amount of remnants received by the Company, consumers often buy a “limited” edition of a product rather than the same old, same old everyone else is wearing. Scott explains that many of the clothing are “numbered” editions. Yep. You can have a one of a kind limited edition skirt or top that your friends can die of green envy.
Looptworks’ Hoptu Laptop sleeve
The Company also makes upcycled gear from leftover neoprene or leather. I wouldn’t be surprised if other companies get wind of Looptworks’ upcycle mode and leave care packages on their doorstep.
Looptworks Disruptive Business Model
I adore their “disruptive” business model as Hamlin describes the business. Be sure to Listen to Part Two as Hamlin provide insights about how their business began, lessons learned and other insights into the Company’s business model.
Join the Conversation:
- Which one is your favorite item on Looptworks?
- Do you find the clothing stylish and would have no idea they were upcycled?
- Did you realize the amount of excess fabric going to landfills?
- Are you an upcycler yourself? Let us know what you upcycle.
Mary says
November 14, 2012 at 12:51 pmLove the creativity and one-of-a-kind feel on this line.
Anna@Green Talk says
November 15, 2012 at 3:01 amPlus, the clothes are adorable too. Can’t beat that. Anna