In Bustles Quick Question, we ask women leaders all about advice.
To minimize their footprint, Reformation clothing is made from low-impact material.
Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option, their tagline reads.
At the helm of that effort is Kathleen Talbot, the brands Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Operations.
She has spent the years since years planning, maintaining, and expanding the companys commitment to sustainability.
Take us back to when you first started at Reformation.
Where were you at in your career and why was joining the company the right move?
I started out in academia, and loved teaching and influencing the next generation of leaders.
I was drawn to consumer products first because there was such an opportunity to actually make things differently.
So when I was introduced to Reformation, I was really inspired by the brands vision.
I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved in the sustainable fashion movement they were pioneering.
What excited you most about joining Reformation?
The reality is that the future of fashion requires turning things upside down.
I loved that the team was also having fun with it.
Were a little bit cheeky.
Honestly, one of the toughest challenges was creating a job for myself that hadnt existed until that point.
Sustainability was a brand new field.
When I reached out to Reformation, I had no background in fashion or business.
I had to start as an office manager to get my foot in the door.
When you look back on your journey, what surprises you the most?
When I first started at Reformation, I really fell into operations.
To this day, I still execute the Reformation factory and facilities.
Can you share any specific anecdotes that taught you a valuable business/life lesson during your career?
One of the most valuable work/life lessons I had was to lean into hard problems.
We published all of our assumptions and methodology.
We never tried to gloss over the hard stuff or what was still a work -in-progress.
We started to publish quarterly reports that were very open about our wins and our misses.
So, we created a program that was as easy as possible to adopt.
Whats the most valuable business advice youve ever received?
The no brainers, so to speak.
But if you zoom out it can be applied to any industry.
Figure out where that lever is for you, then take action!
On the flip side, whats the worst business advice youve ever received?
To not be so nice.
I struggled with this one, especially as a female executive.
I think its terrible advice to not be your authentic self.
And for me, that is often nice or empathetic!
Ive also found it to be a secret weapon.
It can disarm people, build lasting relationships, and make for a much more collaborative and productive team.
How do you recharge?
What does your typical self-care routine look like?
I love being outside and moving to recharge, especially on the weekend.
Sometimes my body tells me its better to just slow down.
Ive practiced yoga for twenty years and am a very good power napper!
What does an aspiring fashion executive need to know so that be successful?
But Im a Reformation executive!
I am unquestionably who I am today because other leaders mentored and supported my growth.
This has influenced me to see to it that Im openly sharing resources with others.
The best results are born when we all come together towards a better, shared future.
Also, hold yourself accountable to start making changes.
How do you define leadership?
What does a good, successful leader look like to you?
A leader sets a vision and makes things happen to get there.
They have to build a team and motivate others to go after the same thing.
So for me, a successful leader is inspiring and can set a clear mission.
Then they are supportive, and relentless in pursuing something much bigger than themself.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t asked?
Were defining it as meeting our greenhouse gas reduction targets and removing more emissions than we produce.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
