Sustainable Fashion Forum: Reformation by Giuliana Braide

Carrie Freiman and  Kathleen Talbot explained how Reformation manage their sustainable business and how they are changing every aspect of the supply chain in order to minimize their impact on the planet. The section was divided into six parts, in which they explained what at end resulted into the "formula"of their innovative business model and sustainable initiatives. Reformation mission is to lead and inspire a sustainable fashion for everyone, by minimizing the impact given by the fashion industry. They also focus on self and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain.

They started by calling themselves "sustainably fast fashion", this is how their business model runs. They work with limited releases on a weekly basis. Before anything they plan: how they design; how they produce and how they deliver. Those plans come first before any other sustainable action.

By being vertical integrated Reformation has the control of their supply chain and production. They focus on improving their raw material production, which represent two thirds of the harmful impact on the process of manufacturing. For that they have created their own "Fiber standards" in which outlines the water impact, energy input, greenhouse gases emission and human/ecotoxicity of the fiber making process. Their goal it is to present this standards to their design team and product developments and work with them to make their garment out of the fibers that are less harmful to the  environment (75% of fiber all star). They are also focusing on producing 75% of their garments to be cold machine and hand washed, as well as advertising to their consumers to wash the garments less possible. Their goal it is to educate their consumer so they became system sustainable thinks as well.

When it comes to their operations, they run 35% of their production "in-house" with about 250 employees which have a wage above the Los Angeles average. They run their facilities (factory and stores) using wind energy, and they have a fabric recycling program for leftover fabrics from cuts.

Reformation explained in forty minutes how their innovate business model and constant research for sustainable alternatives on the fashion industry have truly make the difference. As Carrie Freiman explained at the end: it is simple, if you really want to do it. A lot of companies allegate that going "green"can be too expensive and demands a lot, however Reformation have shown their "formula", and suggested to companies try at least  one thing, and start small and see that it is possible.