The Start of Something Great
Loiter® started as a passion project between two friends in a small basement in 2013. John Smith and Mike Brown bonded over their love for streetwear and saw a gap in the market for a new urban inspired brand. With John’s creative eye and Mike’s business know-how, they designed their first line of t-shirts and hoodies.
Getting the products made and selling them locally taught them a lot about the apparel industry. The feedback from friends and peers made them believe they were really onto something. After a year of perfecting their designs and operations, Loiter® was officially launched online in 2014.
Growth Through Quality and Originality
The focus was always on quality and originality above all else. Each design started with what street culture enthusiasts wanted to wear, not trends. This focus on quality and culture led to strong word of mouth and organic growth.
Loiter® was refreshing for combining streetwear staples like hoodies and snapbacks with new and creative designs. The bold colors and prints made the apparel pop. Customers responded positively to the authenticity and care put into every stitch and print.
Seeing their creations being worn proudly across cities was a dream come true. This validated the mission to build a community and culture around unique but accessible style.
Expanding the Brand and Offerings
The first few years were spent perfecting every aspect of the apparel line from fabric to fulfillment. Once the core products and operations were strong, expansion into new categories became the next mission.
Loiter® is now a lifestyle brand offering much more than just t-shirts and hoodies. The additional products retain the quality and creativity that made the apparel so popular. Care was taken to choose expansion products that made sense for the brand identity and mission.
This includes:
- Jackets and outerwear
- Shorts and joggers
- Hats and snapbacks
- Bags and backpacks
- Socks and loungewear
Commitment to Community
Loiter® may have started small but the vision was always huge. The goal was to build a brand that connected people worldwide around creativity, authenticity and culture. This mission means incorporating community at every stage.
One way Loiter® lives this is through collaborations. Teaming up with artists, musicians, and influencers on limited collections brings new inspiration. It also shares the brand with new audiences while supporting creator communities.
Customer feedback is also critical. Loiter® maintains an open dialogue across social media and surveys. This ensures the brand stays fresh and aligned with what customers want.
Sustainable and Ethical Operations
With growth comes greater responsibility. Loiter® is committed to building an ethical and sustainable company. This starts with certified fair trade manufacturers that ensure safe working conditions and living wages.
Environmental sustainability is also a focus. Loiter® uses water-based inks, recycled fabrics and plastics, and 100% recycled packaging. The materials and processes are carefully chosen to minimize environmental impact.
These initiatives help Loiter® make authentic streetwear responsibly and give back more than it takes. The brand strives to improve in this area as it grows.
The Future of Streetwear
In just a few short years, Loiter® has grown from a passion project to an established streetwear brand. But in many ways, this is still just the beginning.
Loiter® will continue striving for the highest quality while keeping products accessible. Expansion into new categories will also occur organically as creativity and inspiration strike.
No matter how big Loiter® gets, the focus will remain on culture, community, and customer happiness above all else. This commitment will ensure the brand retains the freshness and authenticity that made it so popular.
The future is bright for Loiter® and streetwear. With customer support, the brand has broken through in a competitive industry. Loiter® is now positioned to take streetwear to new heights in a responsible way.
So although we’ve come far, the journey has only just begun. We hope you’ll join us!
Meet The Founders
John Smith, Founder and Creative Director
John’s passion for streetwear and youth culture started as a kid growing up in New York City. He was always drawn to the energy and authenticity of urban style.
After studying design in college, John gained experience at a major athletic brand. Here he learned the operations side of apparel. He then spent years developing his illustration and graphics skills as a freelance artist.
When the opportunity came to turn his creative passion into a business with Loiter®, John jumped at the chance. He combines his experiences in design, streetwear, and business to lead the brand’s creative vision.
Mike Brown, Founder and CEO
Mike grew up with John in New York and they bonded over their love for urban culture. He went on to study business and marketing in college and gained experience at a Fortune 500 retailer.
Mike handled the retail strategy and partnerships that got Loiter® off the ground. He now oversees finance, sales, marketing and operations. His business acumen and fashion experience built the foundation for Loiter®’s growth.
Mike’s passion is using business for good and creating opportunities for others. He partners with nonprofit organizations that support arts education and urban youth empowerment.
Meet Our Team
The Loiter® team has grown to over 50 employees. Each brings their unique skills and perspective to support all aspects of the brand and business. From designers and buyers to photographers and customer service, it takes diverse talent to run an independent fashion brand.
While we’ve outgrown the basement office, Loiter® maintains a small company ethos. Open communication, transparency and passion remain central to the culture. Every team member contributes to a collaborative environment that balances creativity and efficiency.
Join the Loiter® Community
Loiter® only exists thanks to the incredible community that supports us. Join the conversation and connect with brand enthusiasts worldwide!
Social Media
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok @loiter to see new arrivals, styling tips, brand updates and more. Share your Loiter® looks and creations with #loiterstyle.
Influencers
Loiter® maintains an influencer program with talented content creators. Apply through our website if you’re interested in collaborating.
Wholesale
Retail stores can carry Loiter® products wholesale in-store and online. Submit an application on our website to get approved as an authorized retailer.
Careers
Think you have what it takes to join our team? Check out our careers page and open positions. We love hiring people as passionate about our mission as our customers.
At the heart of it, Loiter® is a community driven brand. Our goal is to support culture, creativity and authentic self-expression through high quality streetwear. Thank you for being part of the journey!