Jacqueline Lee/E! EntertainmentCutting down on driving time, recycling or even minimizing your water use are all great environmentally-friendly options, but there are more than just a few ways to go green. Enter the Reformation.
As a sustainable clothing company devoted to crafting designs from recycled, eco-friendly or deadlock fabrics, this Los Angeles-based clothing company is putting a stylish twist on sustainability. From dainty frocks to stunning jumpsuits and a celeb fan base that includes Olivia Wilde, Reformation is offering up a style revolution we're more than happy to join.
We got a sneak peek at Reformation's former bread-factory-turned-fashion-office headquarters in downtown L.A. (seriously!) with founder and CEO Yael Aflalo. Now go ahead—read on to hear from this trendsetter herself!
What was your first job?
I worked at Fred Segal.
How did you get started in your career?
I started making my own clothes in my early 20's while working at Fred Segal, and I was lucky enough for the store to pick up the line.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up around 7 a.m. and take a quick shower. Throw on an easy Ref dress or jumper and I'm off. My day starts with calls during my commute to work. I'm extremely hands-on, so I have meetings with various departments and fittings back to back until about 8 p.m. No out-of-office lunch, no out-of-office meetings.
Tell us about your office décor. When did you last give your office a makeover?
The office is an old bread factory, so there was a lot of work to do! We haven't given the office a makeover per se, because it's really always evolving. The biggest achievement was the backyard—it was filled with years of junk and now is a beautiful gray water garden with tables and places for employees to grow their own vegetables!
Do you have a workspace at home? How does it differ from your official office?
I don't have a designated office at home because I like to work from the office.
What's the best part of your job?
Making girls feel good while changing industry standards.
What inspired you to design with sustainability in mind? And what sets Reformation apart from other retailers?
Once you see the impact fashion has on the environment, it's impossible to want to continue to contribute to the damage. We make all our clothes in downtown Los Angeles using eco, recycled or deadstock materials. What sets us apart is the simple fact that we allow girls to dress how they want while making a difference.
What's one trend you can't wait to see this fall? And what trend do you hope will go away for good?
I'm really into this dark, romantic kind of goth vibe I kept seeing during the fall shows. Anything '80s I don't ever need to see again.
What are your biggest sources of design inspiration?
Girls on the street, girls in my office and movies.
What's your go-to weekend outfit?
Valentino sandals and a Reformation wrap dress.
Who are some of your career heroes?
Elon Musk and Tom Ford.
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken at work?
Moving Reformation from New York to L.A.
Finish the sentences below:
Today for lunch I had… Café Gratitude.
The first website I log onto every day is…thereformation.com.
My usual Starbucks order is… green tea.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…love to be a scientist!
My favorite place to visit is… Post Ranch in Big Sur.
My favorite accessory is… I have a shoe problem.
The item that's always in my makeup bag is… Armani Foundation and blush!
List five things that are on your desk right now… A deck of our weekly best sellers, my new puppy (name TBD), a smoothie from Café Gratitude, a cactus and my Céline purse.