Loom: Redefining Fashion, One Upcycled Design at a Time

Explore Loom, the circular fashion platform revolutionizing the way we shop sustainably. Learn how Loom connects users with designers to transform unworn clothes into bespoke pieces, reducing clothing waste and supporting independent designers. Discover the founder’s vision for Loom’s future and its role in driving positive change in the fashion industry. Join the movement towards a more sustainable wardrobe with Loom!

 

Could you explain in more detail how Loom functions as a circular fashion platform and what inspired you to create this innovative concept?

Loom connects you with designers to create upcycled clothing – think Fiverr for fashion designers!

Previously I worked for brands such as Burberry and TK Maxx in merchandising and marketing. While I loved working in the fashion industry, I became more and more aware of the negative impact that it has on our planet and people, and I wanted to make a positive difference.

Did you know that every second a garbage truck full of clothes is burnt or dumped in landfill?!

A few years ago I launched a sustainable fashion marketplace called Lofte. It felt amazing to finally be working on something aligned with my values. However, I kept having the same conversations. Most of us want to shop sustainably, but we struggle to find sustainably made clothes that we love & that fit us correctly… and we need a solution for the clothes we already have but no longer wear!

I started working with designers I knew to upcycle my customers’ clothes, and they loved it! They got to co-create with a designer on the perfect design, that fits them perfectly & that is sustainably made. I thought… imagine if there was a platform that could easily connect you with designers to redesign your clothes? And so the idea for Loom was born!

 

The statistics you mentioned about clothing waste are staggering. How does Loom contribute to reducing this waste and promoting sustainability in fashion?

Loom provides a solution for the clothes you already own but no longer wear. Rather than throw them away, or take them to a charity shop (where they’re more than likely to end up in landfill anyway), you can redesign them! 

We’re on a mission to divert as many clothes from landfill as possible, whilst supporting independent designers and brands. 

 

You mentioned that Loom is like “Fiverr for fashion designers.” Can you elaborate on how your platform connects customers with fashion designers to create upcycled and bespoke clothing?

 

All you have to do is post a project on Loom, by answering a few questions about what you want to upcycle. You don’t even need to have ideas for what you could transform it into – our designers will reach out to you with ideas!

You can chat directly with designers to discuss ideas. Then when they’re ready, they’ll send you a quote. Once you’ve accepted, they’ll start working on your project!

 

 

Loom seems to be addressing a common problem – having unworn clothing in our wardrobes. How does Loom help customers find clothing they love and that fits perfectly?

We take those clothes you no longer wear, and give you ideas on how we could transform them into something new! Your new design will be tailored exactly to your measurements and you get to decide on the final design. You’re literally designing your dream wardrobe!

 

Can you walk us through the two ways customers can use Loom to shop, whether it’s for creating a custom piece or upcycling existing items?

As well as upcycling, we can also help you create something from scratch. For example, say you want a dress for a wedding and you know exactly what you’re looking for, you can post a project telling us about your vision. 

Then it works in exactly the same way – our designers will chat to you directly and send you a quote once they’re ready!

 

It’s impressive that Loom has over 50 designers in your community. How do you select and collaborate with these designers, and what makes your community unique?

I speak with all of our prospective designers before they join our community to understand more about their experience and work, to help match them with projects and to make sure that our values are aligned. 

What’s special about Loom, is that we’re a community of designers who are all trying to make a positive difference within the fashion industry. There’s such an impressive variety of skills and ideas – we have designers who upcycle denim corsets, dye using only natural colours, upcycle wedding dresses… 

Not only is it the diversity & skills that makes our community so valuable and unique, but also our support for each other. We have a Whatsapp group where we all share news, ask advice and share opportunities. We regularly host events such as panel talks and workshops. Whatever help or support one of our designers may need, we’re all on hand to help support! We want all of us to succeed and to have a positive impact.

 

 

What is your vision for Loom’s future? How do you see Loom driving change in the fashion industry and becoming the largest community of independent fashion designers?

When people look at the clothes in their wardrobe that they no longer wear, I want their first thought to be Loom. My vision is for Loom to become the leading fashion app in the UK, a thought leader for circular fashion and the largest community of independent fashion designers. 

I’d love Loom to be able to not only support the next generation of designers and drive positive change in the industry, but also to help support new innovations in sustainable fashion.

 

In what ways do you envision Loom becoming the leading fashion app in the UK? Are there specific strategies or developments you have in mind to achieve this goal?

Great question! I think partnerships and collaborations will be key. At the moment we’re using a no-code platform. Once we’ve gathered enough feedback from users, we’ll create a mobile app with AI integrations to help enhance the user journey and make our platform easily scalable.

I think the other key to success is failing and learning fast. It’s important to keep trialling new strategies and learning which have the most impact. 

 

 

Given the importance of technology in fashion, how does Loom leverage technology to facilitate connections between customers and designers?

Right now, our MVP is a simple no-code platform. This is while we are gathering user feedback and finding the perfect product market fit. However, technology will be a huge part of our future. We want to leverage AI and machine learning to help facilitate the matchmaking process, and simply the customer journey. Technology will be crucial in making the connections between customers and designers easy, fast and scalable.

 

Can you share any success stories or notable experiences from customers or designers who have used Loom to create or transform fashion pieces?

We’ve had a few customers transform maxi dresses into co-ords – one customer had a beautiful Rixo dress, but it didn’t fit her how she wanted so she turned it into a tie back top and mini skirt! 

We’ve also had brides who want to transform their wedding dresses into jumpsuits or dye them a different colour so that they can continue to wear them.

Every project that comes through is so unique – there are so many different ways that you could transform your old clothes. I love seeing the reactions of customers when we tell them what we could do!

One particularly amazing moment for me was seeing our designers and customers meet in person at an event we hosted at Curve Club – a panel talk on the future of fashion. It was such a lovely moment to see our community coming together and sharing ideas!

 

 

How can Loom empower both customers and designers to be more conscious about sustainable fashion practices?

Loom empowers you to be sustainable, creative and support independent designers. Not only do we provide a solution for your unworn clothes, but we help you create a tailor made wardrobe. 

I believe that for real change to happen within the fashion industry, sustainable solutions need to be easy and accessible. That is what Loom is creating – an easy, accessible and fun way to shop sustainably. 

 

What advice would you give to individuals or businesses looking to support and promote sustainability within the fashion industry, based on your experiences with Loom?

First of all, congratulations! We all need to be doing more and the first step is having the motivation to do so. I would say reach out for support and advice – there are so many brilliant communities and programmes out there to help support businesses to become more sustainable. Secondly, be honest and transparent with your customers about your goals and progress. No one has a perfectly sustainable business, but everyone appreciates honesty and will want to join you on your journey to becoming more sustainable.