Upcycled: Looptworks Clothing

“The conservation of matter is the principle that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only changed and rearranged.”

A heady quote from a clothing company. But for Looptworks, a new company set to launch Sept. 9, it parlays into the theme for a new type of business practice: Looptworks makes and sells a line of repurposed clothes created from excess materials and components tossed aside at factories around the world.

Looptworks will create nothing new in the manufacturing of its products or in the running of its business, a company founder said.

The Portland, Ore., company has 20 garments in its first collection. Designed for “urban lifestyles and outdoor pursuits,” the clothes consist of jackets, hoodies, skirts, shirts and graphic T-shirts.

“We’re trying to call attention to excess and change the way people think about buying,” said Scott Hamlin, Looptworks co-founder. “Everything will be designed and created from what already exists.”

Hamlin and the other two founders, Gary Peck and Jim Stutts, have numerous years of experience at major clothes manufacturers like Nike, Royal Robbins and Adidas. From a sneak peek at the line, despite a push for the outdoors audience, the clothes don’t look very trail worthy. But style-wise, they sure look good.

Looptworks’ line is available at its Web site for between $28 (basic T-shirt) to $125 (“urban-inspired” jacket). The company plans to soon sell products in retail stores as well. www.looptworks.com

—Ryan Dionne