Fresh Fabric Development | The Loop & Weft "Super Fluffy" Knit collection

Fall vibes are real now here in Japan, and what better way to celebrate than a fresh fabric and collab from the purveyors of “Best Knitwear” in Japan. 


Rewinding back to 2022, we bid farewell to one of our most adored sweat fabrics of all time - the "Tompkins Knit" series, after the sole craftsman responsible for operating and maintaining the single knitting machine available in Wakayama decided to retire after many years of service. While a temporary void was created, with doubts that a sweat fabric of this calibre could ever be created again, Ryota-san from Loop & Weft stepped up to the plate and persistently worked alongside fabric developers in Wakayama, in order to create a new Sinker weave fabric that retains the characteristic softness and unique texture of the original Tompkins Knit series while incorporating modern technology to enhance the quality and durability of the fabric.


The new "Super Fluffy" Knit series is made from a specially designed loopback fabric that benefits from the capabilities of the sinker knitting machine. This knitting technique results in a soft, fluffy texture, and the fabric maintains its shape after washing and long-term wear. The fabric also features an brushed inner, developed through a unique finishing process, which imitates the texture of vintage sweatshirts while enhancing the fabric's warmth and comfort.


Thanks to Loop & Weft's unwavering devotion to revive the legacy of the "Tompkins Knit" series in its modern form, we are stoked to announce not only their inline series of "Super Fluffly" Knit hoodies but also our collaboration project that has been in the works since 2023.

The OD+LW "Zakurozome" Pomegranate Dyed Hoodie

Our love for naturally derived dyes knows no boundaries, and we are stoked to bring back one such dye that we are using for the second time in our tenure. For our 23rd collaboration with Loop & Weft, we combine meticulous construction with a 100% naturally occurring ザクロ染め (or Pomegranate dye). And we’re not just tossing around the term Natural Pomegranate, we mean purely naturally derived. With the dye developed and derived from the Pomegranate fruit itself, the extracted natural tannin is then applied to garment dye our collaborative hoodies, one piece at a time. With a four-needle flat seamer machine commanding the construction throughout these hoodies, the seam construction coupled with the updated calibration of the knitting process provides a fabric and garment that will be equal parts durable while maintaining the original structure even after countless wears & washes.


Historians claim that pomegranates or “Zakuro” (ザクロ) had made their way over from Europe to China in the 3rd century, with records of them appearing in Japan as early as the 8th century. Nowadays, the Pomegranate tree can be seen growing in gardens and fields across Japan. While mostly considered an ornamental tree, the fruit itself has seen different uses over the years. One example are the seeds of the pomegranate being used to make “Zakuro-shu” (pomegranate liquor), a common homemade drink enjoyed by those who grow the fruit.


The pomegranate also holds a special cultural significance in Japan, with its connection to “Kishibojin”, a popular Goddess of childbirth and motherhood. This deity can usually be seen, in sculpture or painting, holding a pomegranate in her right hand. Symbolically, the seeds of the pomegranate represent fertility. Pomegranate motifs are also often found adorning the many famous temples dedicated to this Goddess, who started out on the long cultural journey to Japan as the Hindu Goddess “Hariti”.

Loop & Weft "Super Fluffly" Knit Hoodies

Along with our collaboration project with the Gifu-based brand, we are also dropping their inline series of hoodies which are available in two different necklines. The "Double-V version" is a faithful recreation of  vintage sports hoodies - characterised mainly by the front and back V gusset construction, served to provide breathability and ample stretch to accommodate the wearer's head without stretching and losing shape. Along with this, the sans-V version will also be available for those looking for a more simple look without any sacrifice to construction and wearability. Both versions will be available in Antique Ivory, Classic Black, Old Melane Gray and Maple Brown.

The Loop & Weft "Super Fluffy" Knit collection drops on 11/1 @ Midnight (JST)

Subscribe