Reformation Relaunches Its Shoe Line To Be More Eco-Conscious Than Ever

Reformation is bringing back its line of footwear to be more conscious than ever.

Known for its eco-friendly efforts and trend-driven designs, the DTC clothing brand founded by Yael Aflalo has been a champion of less-impactful production processes long before it was trendy. “Being naked is the number one most sustainable option. We’re number two” has been its mantra since its California conception back in 2009. But after venturing into the footwear category a decade later and realizing the challenges that come with designing a truly sustainable but fashion-forward shoe, they decided to go back to the drawing board to bring customers Ref Shoes 2.0.

“Despite material innovation in the sneaker space, the dress shoe category remains mostly static and footwear still represents between 18-25% of the total carbon emissions of the fashion industry,” Kathleen Talbot, Reformation’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Operations explains to BAZAAR. “We’ve focused on making Ref Shoes 2.0 more sustainable across the entire supply chain, starting with deeper traceability of our leather and working exclusively with Leather Working Group Gold and Silver rated tanneries that use best-in-class water, energy and chemical management practices. We also focused on cutting virgin plastic by 75% in this collection, replacing virgin plastic in key components with recycled or bio-based alternatives.”

Taking their efforts to the next level, the brand is taking the life-cycle of its latest shoe designs into consideration. To further encourage sustainable practices, Reformation has teamed up with Looptworks, a company that specializes in the re-purposing and upcycling of discarded items into limited edition items. The first-of-its-kind partnership resulted in a a new “takeback” program that allows customers to trade in their pick ups-once they no longer have a home in their wardrobes.

In the spirit of transparency, the brand has also broken down the impact of each of the 15 designs offered to give shoppers a better understanding of the items they’re purchasing. “On average, a pair of Ref Shoes emits 37% less carbon dioxide, uses 58% less water, and results in 100% less waste compared to conventional footwear,” reads one highlighted quote, in particular, on the new shoe collection’s landing page.

The items featured are all in line with the current summer trends, allowing shoppers more conscious options when it comes to chic footwear. From ’90s-inspired silhouettes and strappy details that feel relevant for the time, the offering references some of the brand’s most-coveted styles from the 2019 archives. “We want to continue to offer our customers a way to dress more sustainably from head-to-toe and drew inspiration from our signature, fashion-forward designs for this collection,” Talbot says about the revamp.

All of the styles on offer are available in sizes 5-11 and range between $98-$278, making them an affordable investment. Shop select styles from the collection, below.

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