This week, I want to spotlight the Los Angeles-based store, Reformation. Its label states, “We make killer clothes that don’t kill the environment.” The name indicates its promise to produce sustainable products while providing the proper work environment for its garment workers. Not to mention its ultimate promise to keep people stylish, without the consequence of trashing our environment. Clothes are made from “low-impact materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing.” Reformation can be interpreted as a company that falls short of corporate social responsibility, but learns from its blind mistakes. When faced with serious corporate issues, Reformation does its best to answer with grace and integrity.

Let’s backtrack a bit… What exactly is corporate social responsibility?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) specifies the private aspect of businesses that is meant to keep companies socially accountable. It ultimately illustrates the actual core values that a company holds. CSR is meant to positively boost society, while also improving its image and brand. For example, a company would fail at CSR if they were to advocate women’s rights, but abuse garment workers.

About Reformation

Reformation began in 2009, when Yael Aflalo sold vintage and thrifted pieces in La Brea, Los Angeles. In 2013, Reformation opened up America’s very first sustainable factory in Los Angeles. Yearly sustainability reports are published on its website so that the company can maintain its accountability. Reformation also created a ‘RefScale,’ which is used to measure the amount of water and waste is saved when purchasing a Reformation garment. It is also apparent that this company is 100% carbon-neutral. This fashion company has always been extremely transparent with the production of clothes.

Reformation’s Image Under Fire

After the horrific murder of George Floyd in 2020, Reformation posted its support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Former employees began to call out Reformation’s mistreatment and lack of representation under the comment section of these posts. Elle Santiago, a former Reformation employee, commented, “Working for Reformation deeply traumatized me. Being overlooked and under valued as a woman of color who worked & managed their flagship store for 3years was the hardest [sic].”

Yael Aflalo resigns after allegations of racism.

On June 12, 2020, Yael Aflalo announced her official resignation as CEO to Reformation. Aflalo said in a post (that has now been deleted), “I realized that I have failed all of you in that regard — especially the Black community. Unfortunately, the way we have practiced diversity in the past has been through a ‘white gaze’ that falls too close to ignorance. After asking and listening to our team members, especially those who identify as BIPOC — I see that now. I am so angry at myself for not seeing it sooner. As a company, we have not leveraged our platform, our voice, and our content to combat the racism and injustice that pervades our country, and that will change, starting now.”

An introspection of Reformation’s integrity:

I do not think there is any other way Reformation could have handled this company crisis. The resignation of Aflalo’s powerful position at Reformation shows the true values of the company. Her parting message shows a realization of how the company’s should move forward. Aflalo also donated $500,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the National Black Child Development Institute.

Now, the company website contains a diverse set of models, advertising Reformation’s clothing. I could only find one article that follows up on Reformation’s issue of inclusivity. It mentions that Reformation has partnered with Black in Fashion Council, which provides POC a platform to express their feelings of the environment. It is also said that the company holds listening session to get a more personal take on people’s opinions of what the company is lacking.

In a sense, they did a great job at tackling this issue. However, this could have been avoided if Aflalo took the time to actually listen to her staff. She could have been proactive with the critiques of the people who are representing Reformation.

Sources:

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/reformation-everlane-blm-controversy

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/reformation-founder-yael-aflalo-apologizes-for-past-racist-behavior