Tim van der Loo (he/him)
Post consumer textile and fashion designer
Tim van der Loo is a Berlin-based Dutch post-consumer designer who studied at Design Academy Eindhoven (BA) and Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin (MA). His practice focuses on material activism, exploring waste as a resource and questioning the systems, infrastructures and labour behind the materials we use. He develops regenerative and resourceful material strategies that challenge linear models of production and consumption.
His ongoing project New Blue explores denim as a cultural symbol of rebellion, resistance and uniform, while critically examining fashion’s supply chains, consumption and labour conditions. By transforming discarded jeans into fibres and then into non-woven textiles, New Blue proposes a regenerative alternative to conventional denim production. The project creates new material possibilities while rethinking waste, production systems and circular product lifecycles.
Work experience/Activities
2022 - now | A New Kind of Blue
Freelance, Berlin, Germany
The fashion project, A New Kind of Blue, explores new systems in the post-capitalist world, aiming to create garments sustainably. By reimagining supply chains and consumption habits, it seeks to redefine garments as borrowable and returnable items, fostering a symbiotic relationship with ecosystems and workers.
2024 - 2025 Charitylab | Deutsche Kleiderstiftung - Spangenberg-Sozial-Werk e.V.
Dec.-Dec. Deputy manager & manager sorting facility, Berlin, Germany
The Deutsche Kleiderstiftung collects and distributes clothing to support social projects in Germany and abroad. Its new initiative, Charitylab, tackles throwaway culture by upcycling and recycling unusable donations to reduce waste and build sustainable fashion frameworks. My role is to guide creative upcycling projects and manage incoming donations, directing them to aid projects, second-hand shops, or collaborative initiatives.
2025 Kunstuniversität Linz
Febr.-July Guest Lecturer, Linz, Austria
In the summer semester project Crafting Conscious Fashion Futures, supervised by Dr. Katharina Sand and artistic assistant (MA) Julia Moser, I am part of the teaching team. I guide students in creative concept development, storytelling, and visualisation, while also leading explorations of sustainable practices and research in fashion and textiles. My goal is to foster critical thinking and inspire innovative approaches that empower students to shape a more responsible, forward-thinking fashion industry.
Selected Achievements
2020 — German Federal Ecodesign Award
New Blue — Awarded the German Federal Ecodesign Award (Bundespreis Ecodesign) in the Young Talent category, Berlin.
New Blue — Awarded the German Federal Ecodesign Award (Bundespreis Ecodesign) in the Young Talent category, Berlin.
2020 — MESH UP Design Competition
The Mattress Bag — First Prize, MESH UP design competition, Wilmersdorfer Arcaden, Berlin.
The Mattress Bag — First Prize, MESH UP design competition, Wilmersdorfer Arcaden, Berlin.
2023–24 — WORTH II Partnership Project
New Blue — Grant and collaboration with Milanese zero-waste designer Michael Ruggiero to develop a non-woven recycled denim material and waste-free cutting methods. Funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), dedicated to the New European Bauhaus initiative.
New Blue — Grant and collaboration with Milanese zero-waste designer Michael Ruggiero to develop a non-woven recycled denim material and waste-free cutting methods. Funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), dedicated to the New European Bauhaus initiative.
2023 — Forecast: Mentorships for Audacious Minds
New Blue — Grant and mentorship with fashion designer Irakli Rusadze (SITUATIONIST) to develop critical visual forecasts of the future of fashion using AI, big data and climate research. Supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
New Blue — Grant and mentorship with fashion designer Irakli Rusadze (SITUATIONIST) to develop critical visual forecasts of the future of fashion using AI, big data and climate research. Supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
2022–23 — WORTH II Partnership Project
Digital Patchwork — Awarded project developed through the WORTH II programme, dedicated to the New European Bauhaus initiative and funded by EISMEA.
Digital Patchwork — Awarded project developed through the WORTH II programme, dedicated to the New European Bauhaus initiative and funded by EISMEA.
2021 — Re-FREAM
New Blue — Awarded artist project within Re-FREAM, an initiative of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
New Blue — Awarded artist project within Re-FREAM, an initiative of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
2020 — DesignFarmBerlin
New Blue — Selected for the nine-month design and technology acceleration programme.
New Blue — Selected for the nine-month design and technology acceleration programme.
2019 — DAAD Abschlussförderung
New Blue — DAAD graduation scholarship supporting the development of the project.
New Blue — DAAD graduation scholarship supporting the development of the project.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 — Making
New Blue — Glassroom, Design Academy Eindhoven & SintLucas, Eindhoven, Netherlands
26 May – 29 August 2025
New Blue — Glassroom, Design Academy Eindhoven & SintLucas, Eindhoven, Netherlands
26 May – 29 August 2025
2022 — All Good(s)
New Blue — Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 202030 Berlin Fashion Summit, Berlin, Germany
5 – 7 September 2022
New Blue — Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 202030 Berlin Fashion Summit, Berlin, Germany
5 – 7 September 2022
2022 — Première Vision Denim
New Blue — Berlin, Germany
17 – 18 May 2022
New Blue — Berlin, Germany
17 – 18 May 2022
2021 — Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week × Fashion Open Studios
New Blue — Kraftwerk, Berlin, Germany
September 2021
New Blue — Kraftwerk, Berlin, Germany
September 2021
2021 — Woven Cosmos / All Good(s)
New Blue — Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, Germany, in conjunction with the royal visit of HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima and the Embassy of the Netherlands
July 2021
New Blue — Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, Germany, in conjunction with the royal visit of HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima and the Embassy of the Netherlands
July 2021