Anniversary Special #3: Loop Bags Two Ways with Aitor Saraiba and Julie Arkell!

Another week, another lot of lovely things made just for our 20th anniversary. Today we’ve got special takes on two iconic Loop bags from two brilliant textile artists and dear friends!

Aitor Saraiba is a brilliant multimedia artist whose work we totally adore. The list of brands and institutions he has collaborated with is truly mind-boggling (Loewe, Museo del Prado, and Sajou to name just a few) and earlier this year we were thrilled to welcome him to the shop to host a workshop on telling stories through stitching.

Not only did Aitor share his incredible gifts with us when he visited the shop in February, he also did us the true honour of adding some of his stitching to one of our classic Loop Shopper Bags. To see his incredible work applied to a functional piece we treasure so much was truly an honour, and we loved it so much we asked if he could inspire others to do the same!

We’re so touched that Aitor has put together some extra special Loop Shopper Bag Stitching Kits for our 20th anniversary, to help you tell your own story in stitch on the canvas of an iconic Loop bag. These limited edition bundles contain some truly phenomenal materials: seven unique fabric swatches, including rare beauties sourced from France and Japan; wool spun from Aitor’s own flock of sheep and then naturally hand-dyed; neon embroidery threads; and of course a Loop Shopper Bag!

Aitor Saraiba’s Loop Shopper Bag Stitching Kits are available in five different colours of neon thread. If you like, you can note a preference when you order, but we can’t guarantee availability. These kits are strictly limited edition and only for Loop!

Our second bag this week is very near and dear to our hearts, as it combines two treasures that are utterly emblematic of Loop: Julie Arkell and our classic cotton project bag. From the first moment we started dreaming up our 20th anniversary plans, there was no question that Julie would be involved. She has been a loyal friend and fantastic collaborator from day one. She has literally been keeping us company since the first week the shop opened in July 2005, and we have had the opportunity to work on so many wonderful things together. Her one-of-a kind folk art creatures are among the most coveted items in the shop, her workshops among the most popular, and we always trust her opinion.

We’re thrilled that Julie has designed a very special 20th Anniversary Project Bag in her signature style. Her illustration playfully depicts the London landmark Big Ben doing a bit of knitting, paying homage to our home city with a wink and a nod. The inscription below reads “20 years of woolly wonders at Loop London”. These bags are available to purchase à la carte and they’ll also be included in some of the 20th anniversary kits still to come this summer. And there’s more to come from Julie as well — she has designed our 20th anniversary window, which we’ll reveal on 15 July!

It has truly been so wonderful to see the response to all these very special beauties, and we can’t wait to show you what else we have in store! Don’t forget to check out the 20th Anniversary Treasures we’ve already released, including our Loop Postcard Book and updated party edition of Otso the Bear!

We hope to see many of you in the shop on the weekend of the 19th and 20th of July for anniversary treats. If you are planning to visit us this summer, please be aware we will be closed on Saturday the 26th of July for a private event.

Happy stitching!