Every year, charity shops like Oxfam receive a huge volume of donated clothing, shoes, and accessories. While well-intentioned, many of these items never reach store shelves. In fact, only 10% to 30% of donated fashion items are actually sold in-store. The rest are either passed along, sold overseas, or end up unused. Now, upcycling app Loom is teaming up with Oxfam to change that—one bag at a time.
Loom and Oxfam Launch Sustainable Upcycled Bag Collection
Loom has launched a limited-edition collection of upcycled patchwork bags made entirely from unwearable or damaged clothing donated to Oxfam. These bags are crafted from materials like old denim, curtain fabric, and other discarded textiles, and each design is one-of-a-kind. Thoughtful details such as original pockets, buttonholes, and cuffs are preserved to tell the story of each piece.
We’re excited to collaborate with Oxfam on this project. This collection isn’t just about fashion, it’s about sustainable upcycling that’s both practical and commercially viable.
Daisy Harvey, founder of Loom
Limited Drop, Unique Designs
Only 200 bags are available in this first release, with prices ranging from £40 to £50. Each bag features a QR code that links to the full story of how it was made, including the process of upcycling and the teams behind the collaboration.
These bags don’t just extend the life of unwanted clothes—they also raise money for Oxfam’s global mission. “This is a perfect way to turn unwearable items into something beautiful and useful,” said Penny Walker, Oxfam’s Head of UK Warehousing & Logistics. “All proceeds from these bags help fund projects fighting poverty and inequality around the world.”
A New Approach to Fashion Waste
This collaboration highlights a growing demand for sustainable fashion and textile waste reduction. By working with existing clothing donations, Loom and Oxfam are showing how upcycling can be a real, scalable solution.
While this is just a trial, there are plans for more product drops and collaborations in the future. With growing interest in eco-friendly fashion alternatives, this upcycled bag collection is a small but powerful example of circular design in action.
