As a conscious consumer, you want to make ethical choices but refuse to compromise your sense of style. This dilemma leaves many searching for the impossible: sustainable fashion that is chic, flattering, and affordable. Reformation has answered the call by pioneering eco-friendly fabrics that elevate basics into must-have pieces. Their clever use of organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and innovative materials transforms the environmental impact of clothing without sacrificing design. Join us as we explore the materials powering Reformation’s effortless elegance and provide a blueprint for the future of sustainable style.
Reformation’s Commitment to Sustainability
Organic Cotton
Reformation uses organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for many of its garments. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Its production sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people by using natural processes rather than artificial pesticides and fertilisers.
Recycled Fabrics
Reformation incorporates recycled fabrics such as recycled polyester into their clothing. Recycled polyester is made from recycled PET bottles and helps minimise the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. Reformation aims to use recycled polyester in all their synthetic fabrics.
Low-Impact Dyes
Reformation uses low-impact dyes for colouring their fabrics which reduces the use of water, energy, and chemicals compared to conventional dyeing processes. Their dyes are also free from heavy metals and meet strict safety standards to minimise environmental pollution.
Responsible Production
Reformation’s products are manufactured in factories with fair wages, reasonable hours, and safe working conditions. They visit their suppliers regularly and have long-term relationships with many of their partners to ensure high ethical standards are maintained throughout the supply chain.
Through their commitment to sustainability from farm to fashion, Reformation is transforming the clothing industry and proving that eco-friendly and stylish can go hand in hand. By choosing organic, recycled, and low-impact materials and responsible production methods, they are making fashion a little bit greener.
Eco-Friendly Materials Used by Reformation
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is cotton that is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are prohibited, reducing pollution from chemicals. Reformation uses organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard for many of its dresses, tops, and bottoms. By using organic cotton, Reformation ensures that its clothing is made from sustainable materials from the start of the supply chain.
Recycled Fabrics
Reformation incorporates recycled polyester, nylon, and cotton into some of their fabrics. Recycling fabrics reduces the need for raw materials and the amount of textile waste going into landfills. For example, Reformation’s Ref Jeans are made from recycled cotton and polyester, like recycled t-shirts and plastic bottles. By reusing materials to create new fabrics, Reformation conserves natural resources and diverts waste from landfills.
Plant-Based Vegan Leather
Rather than using animal-derived leather, Reformation incorporates vegan leather made from plant materials into some of their products. Their vegan leather is made from renewable materials like cork, rubber, and polyurethane. By using plant-based vegan leather instead of animal leather, no animals are harmed in the making of these products. Reformation’s sustainable practices extend to ensuring that its materials are ethically sourced.
Sustainable Viscose
Viscose is a soft, lightweight fabric made from wood pulp. However, the production of viscose can involve harmful chemicals and deforestation. Reformation only uses viscose that is certified sustainable and eco-friendly, such as by the Forest Stewardship Council. They aim to source all of their viscose from suppliers that use responsible forestry practices and closed-loop processing with lower environmental impacts. By sustainably sourcing their viscose, Reformation can create soft, flowy fabrics without contributing to deforestation or pollution.
The Future of Sustainable Fashion
Eco-Conscious Production
As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion, brands have started implementing sustainable and ethical production methods. Reformation is leading the charge in eco-conscious manufacturing by using recycled and organic materials, and by reducing waste in their supply chain. They recycle water used in their LA factory, use renewable energy sources, and ensure fair wages for all workers. These important steps are paving the way for the future of sustainable fashion.
Innovative Fabrics
Reformation utilizes innovative, eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel lyocell, recycled cotton, and recycled polyester in their collections. Tencel lyocell is a sustainably sourced wood pulp fibre that requires little water and energy to produce. Recycled cotton and polyester are made from post-consumer waste, reducing the demand for virgin materials. By using these alternative fabrics, Reformation can minimize its environmental footprint while still creating stylish garments.
Repurposing and Recycling
In line with the principles of a circular economy, Reformation aims to eliminate waste by repurposing and recycling materials whenever possible. They upcycle leftover fabrics into new clothing and accessories, recycle water used in the production process, and compost food waste from their LA café. These resourceful practices allow Reformation to operate more sustainably and move closer to becoming a zero-waste company.
Forward-thinking brands like Reformation are proving that ethical and eco-conscious fashion can also be stylish. By making incremental changes to implement sustainable practices and using innovative materials, Reformation is leading the movement to transform the future of fashion into a greener industry. Overall, their dedication to environmental and social responsibility serves as an inspiration, showing how sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
