Since its launch in 2009, Reformation a.k.a. Ref, has been redefining sustainable fashion, combining vintage-inspired designs with eco-conscious production, and the brand has a clear aim: to prove that sustainability can be both stylish and accessible. After all, its products have been climate neutral since 2015, the company earned Climate Neutral Certification in 2021, and next on the agenda is achieving full Circularity by 2030.
No stranger to sustainability or party-girl glamour, Ref has dropped its latest collaboration with ultimate it-girl Devon Lee Carlson. It’s no surprise the two have teamed up, as the model and entrepreneur has a long-standing relationship with the brand, having previously modelled for Ref and hosted pop-ups for her label, Wildflower Cases, at the Reformation Vintage store on Melrose Avenue.
On the partnership, Lauren Caris Cohan, Chief Creative Officer at Reformation, says, “For our third it-girl collab, we wanted to do something fresh, but still connected to this overarching idea of covetable style. Devon is as kind and creative and fun in real life as she seems on the internet. Our goal is for everyone who wears this collection to feel like they are borrowing something super special from their best dressed friend’s closet.”
Offering a 20-piece collection, the vibe here is all about fun, upbeat, and channels the feeling of getting ready for a night out with your best friends, with Madonna’s “Ray of Light” playing in the background to get the party started.
On what inspired the overall theme of the line, Devon shares, “The collection is designed to feel like you’re dressing up like your favorite character in a rom com – it’s super romantic and feminine. From a design standpoint, we reimagined a lot of vintage pieces from my personal closet, for example, my boyfriend’s mom gave me a beautiful vintage Galliano dress from the ’90s that is so special to me. It’s one of the few pieces in my closet that is too precious to share so I worked with Ref to design a two piece set inspired by it. It has this beautiful scarf that makes it really fun to style and extra emotional.” Devon continues, “We also recreated this pair of vintage high waisted shorts that made everyone’s butt look perfect. I lost them, searched everywhere and could never find them again. I’m so happy they’re back in my life.”
The range includes bold animal print dresses, custom graphic tees, and on-trend low-rise bootcut jeans, all crafted from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, TENCEL® lyocell, and of course, dead stock fabrics have been incorporated to help reduce waste. As as for Devon’s favorites, “the Kenny low rise jeans are out of a dream to me. Also fun fact, the photo on the Lizzie Tee is a shot of my pup with a pair of my shoes that she’s obsessed with!”
Central to Ref is its approach to sustainability, and when it came to balancing style with sustainability, Devon says, “One thing I love about Reformation is that you would never know it’s sustainable – there are no trade offs when it comes to style and design. You’re just quietly doing your part and I think that’s classy. I love shopping vintage from a values and uniqueness standpoint. That’s what I like about Ref too, the limited edition nature of their clothing makes it feel really special.”
This marks the third instalment of Reformation’s it-girl series, following collaborations with Camille Rowe and Laura Harrier, and we’ll have to see who’s next.
The Reformation x Devon Lee Carlson collection is now available both in-store and online at thereformation.com.