On the first Thursday of October in 2018, the Sustainable Fashion Forum presented by Fashiondex and LA Textile took place in Los Angeles. It was a full day of industry leaders and sustainable thinkers coming together. Talking all things sustainability, ethics and supply chain practices to build a better fashion industry for people and the planet. Hosted by passionate and well spoken, sustainability leader Andrea Kennedy, as she introduced the forums first industry speakers from Reformation.
Representing Reformation was the Vice President Kathleen Talbot and Director of Sustainability Carrie Freiman Parry. Reformation is a leading sustainability, fast fashion brand that has developed a business model that allows them to release new product on a weekly basis without the harm other fast fashion brands place on people and the planet. Fitting to their motto “bring sustainable fashion to everyone”.
The half hour presentation took us through Reformations “toolbox” as they explained what it is to be a sustainable fast fashion brand. Flipping the business model to design with what is available, using deadstock industry materials and only creating sustainable materials. They want to be part of the solution, so the team created a five-category fibre guideline with five stars the best fibres to use, down to a list of fibres which never to use, including conventional silk, cotton, fur and more. This guideline takes into account the social and environmental impact, water and energy usages, and commercial viability of the fibre.
Improving operations is also a key factor in Reformations business model, with 75% of product manufactured in Los Angeles by 250 employees and only 25% being sourced internationally. Being a vertically integrated business allows them maximum control over operations as well as the luxury of not having minimum order size, allowing them to create limited runs and achieve their speed to market, which is around a 40-45 day lead time.
Reformation is passionate about circularity within the industry through designing out waste and engaging customers. Ref Recycling is an initiative where customers can send in their old clothing, free of charge to their partner Community Recycling, essentially establishing a customer to customer platform.
RefScale is another set of guidelines within the business that measures the use of water, energy and raw materials. In consideration to this Reformation has created and collaborated in programs such as forest restoration in the Amazon and water conservation programs as a way to offset their impact on the planet.
As Kathleen Talbot said at the end of the presentation, “social responsibility is a process”, by being transparent as a brand they are able to lead, inspire and motivate the industry to perform better, for people and the planet.
Image : https://www.thereformation.com/pages/impact-of-fashion
Kirraly- your are indeed right- that Reformation does lead, inspire and motivate others to perform better. They had such an engaging presentation and I was excited listening to Carrie and Kathleen and again when i read your detailed summary- that truly and succinctly delivers what they presented! VERY WELL DONE and thank you!
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