Fashion / reworked vintage

Loot launch upcycled denim collection

By Emma Gorton-Ellicott  Tuesday Sep 17, 2019

Located next to the Bearpit, vintage paradise Loot has been dressing the city’s retro lovers since 2013.

Originally founded by Rick Emerson and Lou Tonks in 2011 through a mutual love of vintage fashion, the couple combined Rick’s knowledge of the American vintage denim scene and Lou’s background in fashion to start Loot.

“Loot was built on the foundations of celebrating individuality,” explains Rick. “From one-off items of pre-loved clothing to a sustainable approach to fashion.”

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The new Loot Vintage Denim collection is made from upcycled Levi’s jeans

Inspired by a trip to LA where vintage Levi 501’s upcycled into one off pieces, Loot launched their denim brand, Loot Vintage Denim, in 2016.

This idea has developed over the last three years into an range of coats and bags, all upcycled from vintage Levi jeans.

Loot’s new collection sits comfortably alongside their latest arrivals of vintage and reworked pieces for the autumn/winter season.

Using a patchwork technique, Loot create unique duster coats from vintage 501s sourced from North America and reworked in Bristol – upcycling up to nine pairs of jeans to create each coat.

The handmade pieces range in price from £80 to £150.

“We design and hand make in store,” says Rick. “We have a rework area with design and cutting tables and machines. Each of our Minola Duster Coats take three full days to make.

“We have a limited number for sale but we’re moving to pre-order only, to give us more time to keep up with demand!”

The Loot Vintage denim tote bags are £80

“Bristol is a gentle, creative city, which couldn’t have been a better base for our vintage store”, says Rick. “The city is hugely supportive of the upcycling and sustainable scene and our customers are fantastic, not only do they support the sustainable aspect, they also love something unique!”

Find out more and pre-order at www.lootvintagedenim.myshopify.com

Read our fashion editor Emma blog No Debutante

Read more: Changing the world one jacket at a time

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