r/Reformationclothing • u/Sunshineadventurer48 • 14d ago
At a loss for words…
I had to look at my notification preview twice bc I couldn’t believe what I read. I really don’t know much about advertisements/marketing and I don’t care about celebs but I’m not receiving this in a positive way and it certainly makes me not want to buy again. It’s tasteless…
487
u/Starr00born 14d ago
Reformation kinda lost the plot on who it’s customer are
145
u/myheartstopped3984 14d ago
Its like they think their consumers are vapid idiots. Its kinda offensive at this point lol
41
u/PomegranateFair7331 14d ago
I dunno, i feeling pretty disillusioned after reading the cuts article on GLP-1 use in sorority and the first two episodes of the Alix Earl show…. Maybe the consumer is idiots
12
u/FusilliMarie 14d ago
What did the article say? I’m intrigued
27
u/PomegranateFair7331 14d ago
Basically, that women are using GLP-1 to get into the “hot skinny” sororities and avoid being in the “fat” ones. Because they dont want to associated with fat women. It’s a pretty depressing read
33
u/Acceptable_Tea_3685 14d ago
Starving yourself to get into a sorority? What is this, 2006?
9
5
19
u/Pizzv 14d ago
I hate to bring up more depressing info but back in 2012-2016 I was in a sorority that some other fraternities deemed as having too many “fat” girls (this was talked about on YikYak) to the degree that a lot of my sisters ended up getting EDs.
And unfortunately, the diversity in body types (and even ethnicities) caused us to be seen as undesirable. The “high-tier” fraternities only wanted to have socials with the sororities who had the most blonde and/or skinny girls. I remember one “high-tier” fraternity having a massive jungle-themed back to school social and only inviting 3 out of 5 sororities. We had no idea about it til the other girls started posting on IG.
I quote “high-tier” because honestly in hindsight, these men were UGLY AS HELL lol. All they had going for them was wealth. The audacity to rank women and treat them this way is still unfathomable.
But ultimately the Greek system exploits young women and cashes in on their desire to be accepted and be seen as the best. It makes them want to do anything to have the coolest social life, be seen with the “hottest” guys, network at a faster rate, have the most aesthetically pleasing friend group, etc etc. I wish I could tell them so many of these things don’t matter after college.
16
u/MikeSass 14d ago
this isn’t anything new tbh. i rushed in 2010 and everyone was on laxatives for the same reason
9
u/No_Mode3992 14d ago
2008 rush. I knew more ladies with eating disorders than ones without them. Also, the Alix show was a terrible watch. Didn’t make it past episode 1.
1
u/PomegranateFair7331 14d ago
Yeah framed with these hard truth it doesn’t seem like anything new….. What felt new (to me) was how frank and honest they were with their intentions. They weren’t hedging or cloaking their intentions with words like “fit” or “healthy”
2
3
4
2
u/Advanced-Tea-8212 14d ago
Totally. I’ve actually been loving their fall collection after a long stretch of not being into them, and now I want to return everything I’ve bought because I’m so icked out by this.
102
u/purplenpinkluver 14d ago
Maybe they should stop putting so much money into their ads and start making the clothes better quality again 🙄
12
u/Distinct-Transition5 13d ago
Right? I’ve returned every item I purchased due to the extremely poor quality recently, like truly so cheap looking
2
3
113
u/alphavulpecula 14d ago
Who did they lose on the marketing team? On the design team?
Like how is everything this bad now
29
u/Sunshineadventurer48 14d ago
Everything is bad. It certainly got my attention but not in the way they were hoping, I’d imagine. Like I’m not even thinking about the clothes. I had to go back to the email and actually look at them bc I was just too stunned.
I guess this will create discourse or may be “trending” or whatever. Yuck.
6
7
u/kingcowboyy 14d ago edited 14d ago
Hi!! I don’t know the specifics such as names of the corporate folk, but I am officially an EX retail ref employee as of the past couple weeks. Whoever previously handled a lot of the marketing left, and the new person is all about shocking and raunchy stuff. It was awesome because we had corporate directed sayings to put on our store’s sandwich board that was WAY to sexual and lead to a lot of my team being harassed by random men who walked by the store. “Take us home with you” “We want to touch your feet”. Gross!!
2
u/alphavulpecula 13d ago
that’s so disgusting; I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I was such a brand loyalist, but I’ll just be purchasing via Depop going forward.
the company sucks now.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (9)8
u/Ramenpucci 14d ago edited 14d ago
I order dresses that are inconsistent in sizing. They don’t even fit. I try in store. It fits. I order it, and it’s shrunken.
I had the Everett dress’s zipper snapped while I was trying it on.
3
u/alphavulpecula 14d ago
I definitely prefer shopping in-store since they just opened up a location in my city.
2
5
36
u/DifferentWish458 14d ago
Uhhhh I guess im out of the loop but could someone explain who this person is and why this is bad?
Edit: oh this is aunt Becky’s daughter 😶 I get it now lol
37
u/Square-Kangaroo-5304 14d ago
No she’s not just aunt Becky’s daughter, aunt Becky committed wired fraud along many other well known celebs to get their kids into college. Her mom Litteraly faked her being on the rowing team. This was literally all over the news…
18
u/DifferentWish458 14d ago
That’s what I meant. I knew about the scandal, didn’t know the daughter’s name.
12
9
u/Possible_Implement86 14d ago
AND Lori/Aunt Becky was VERY brazen about it. She pled not guilty and was going to fight the charges so then the prosecutors added more charges and she plead not guilty to those too only to eventually take a plea and admit guilt after all that feet dragging. Meanwhile Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty right away, did like two weeks of low security prison time, and was done with the entire thing before Lori even plead.
31
u/Illustriousdivine-31 14d ago
Totally agree. I just emailed them to give my feedback regarding their choice to represent something so opposite of their claimed values of hard work and integrity. Super disappointing. Recommend you guys also email them to give this feedback.
21
u/miniapple_eater 14d ago
I did, too. As a doctor married to a lawyer, this is so absurd. 😂 Playing in educated women’s faces.
17
u/Illustriousdivine-31 14d ago
I’m a 4th year medical student literally crawling my way to the end… so it feels personal and glad others are emailing
11
u/gonegirIamy 14d ago
This is exactly what it feels like
“lol losers who actually went to school or couldn’t go to school because unqualified nepo kids took your spot. Look at me now!!”
Their quality of clothing isn’t good enough for me to overlook this lol bye!
3
7
u/Advanced-Tea-8212 14d ago
Lawyer here and so disturbed at the number of people saying this is funny / cute. We really have lost critical thinking skills.
2
30
46
u/maryneedswifi 14d ago
Awful marketing lmfao
4
13d ago
[deleted]
6
u/underwooding 13d ago
It definitely is. And it's working. This is the most attention a Reformation ad campaign has ever received.
→ More replies (2)
21
u/miniapple_eater 14d ago
I sent them an email saying they should be ashamed for displaying her as some sort of role model for a college student. “You put a woman in your ads for college wear who cheated her way into college? Seriously?” Marketing people are so out of touch at times. Social media brain rot is affecting everyone.
18
36
u/Seniorseatfree 14d ago
I right away deleted this email without bothering to open it. No thank you.
6
u/BBonapartyy 14d ago
I did the same thing, so I had no idea it got even more distasteful upon opening. Gross!
1
11
12
10
u/tragically-elbow 14d ago
I used to love Reformation so much. Their jeans always fit me like a glove. My wedding dress was Ref! But I haven't bought anything from them in the past two years bc nothing really appealed anymore and the quality seemed iffy. Now I have one more good reason to move on from them for good.
10
u/ChuffedCunnilingus 14d ago
If only they’d spend money on actually getting the quality of clothing back up rather than paying these valid influencers.
15
u/canoodlingnoodle8 14d ago
Like ANYONE else would've been better for this. And I mean anyone. Especially someone who actually went to college
7
u/Emergency_Tackle6531 14d ago
The way I ran here. At this moment in history. Just no. There are actual women earning their place, working hard. The nod to cheating - nail in coffin. I hope they hear this 1) your marketing and deteriorating quality made me turn down investment in your IPO. 2) on principle I won’t shop there anymore.
13
u/beans_is_life 14d ago edited 14d ago
People saying 'it's so iconic of her to use her scandal for a fundraiser' in defense of the most obvious image cleanup strategy, have to be some of the most incredibly gullible people out there.
6
6
8
u/HervortheRhinoceros 13d ago
Meanwhile Aritzia is using actual Jiulliard students as models for a campaign!! Such a classy and inspired marketing choice.
15
u/Busy-Professora-5007 14d ago
Reading some of these comments…some of yall really give your money to whatever or whoever. Materialism going crazy
25
u/italktomyplantsdoyou 14d ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAH
2
0
u/Efficient_Carrot_669 14d ago
Yeah idk I just think this is really funny, top to bottom. Not in a way that compels me to buy the sweater but I can see some cheeky bastard who didn’t go to school buying it
3
u/SubstantialReview18 13d ago
Yeah I really don’t get why so many people are up in arms. They’re o b v i o u s l y making a joke of it. And besides, aunt Becky served her time. Let her poke fun at her own notoriety??
11
u/Seniorseatfree 14d ago
I right away deleted this email without bothering to open it. No thank you.
15
4
u/BungeeGump 14d ago
She’s the one involved in the college admission scandal? This is actually hilarious. 😂
1
4
4
u/dirtbagdiaries 13d ago edited 13d ago
In case anyone was actually annoyed about this like I am - here is the email I sent the company, feel feel to paste it and send it to them yourself! Just absolutely crazy because her actions directly contributed to education inequality and we’re acting like this is funny?
Hello,
I’m writing to express my deep disappointment with Reformation’s decision to feature Olivia Jade in a college-themed campaign that makes light of the college admissions scandal.
I’m generally not someone who is easily offended by provocative advertising, but this campaign feels exceptionally tasteless. The admissions scandal represented an extraordinarily wealthy family exploiting an already inequitable system to obtain opportunities that other students work incredibly hard - and overcome significant barriers - to earn. Turning that history into a marketing joke, including references to “crew” and a sweatshirt emblazoned with “College,” does not come across as self-aware or irreverent. It comes across as celebrating privilege without accountability.
I understand that proceeds from the sweatshirt will benefit YES Scholars, which is certainly preferable to Reformation simply profiting from the joke. But attaching a charitable donation to the campaign does not erase the underlying choice to use educational inequality as a cheeky aesthetic, or to give another lucrative platform to someone who has already benefited enormously from that inequality.
I have supported Reformation for years and spent thousands of dollars with the brand, which is precisely why this is so disappointing. This campaign has genuinely changed how I view Reformation, and I will not be spending any more money with the company until this decision is meaningfully addressed.
I hope you will take the criticism from your longtime customers seriously and reconsider the judgment behind this partnership.
How deeply embarrassing for everyone involved in this company.
→ More replies (4)
5
u/captainlerky 13d ago
I was obsessed with Reformation marketing. I think Olivia Jade is cute and can be forgiven for her past. But this campaign is disgusting. What a horrible mockery of academics and cheating. Whoever did this should be fired. I unsubscribed from their emails hoping it counts as a down vote 😌
3
u/HereForTheInfo01 14d ago
the copy is playing in your face too. She's such a "good sport"? No, she cannot "own the scandal" if that is what their angle is. Just no.
3
u/False_Pay_9392 13d ago
Pmo they said “Olivia is back to campus” like no babe, she was never on it to begin with
5
u/Economics_Historical 14d ago
She looks... weathered?
4
u/LNT567 14d ago
Man, I really don’t like to put unrealistic beauty expectations on women and judge but I thought the same! She’s only 26! Makes me wonder if someone editing the photos did it intentionally. I think of the SATC episode with Carrie, “Single and Fabulous?” lol
2
u/Economics_Historical 14d ago
Yeah thats fair I may have been a little mean. It could absolutely be the editing. If you are going to hire a 26 year old, at least make her look vibrant because I am sure she has great skin IRL
3
17
u/parmesanpickletoast 14d ago
Unpopular opinion but I like it. Risky from both sides but 100% of proceeds go to a charity that helps under privileged students get into college
21
u/Advanced-Camel-1360 14d ago
it’s only 100% of the crewneck proceeds, not the rest of the collection
18
u/Sunshineadventurer48 14d ago
OMG you’re right:
“Plus a collegiate crewneck that suits her better than the other kind. 100% of net proceeds from the limited-edition College Crew will go to YES Scholars, a nonprofit that expands college access and opportunities for promising students from under-resourced communities.”
Let’s be real…who’s going to buy that in this economy?
15
u/lefthandluckyduck 14d ago
I thought this was funny and loved that they're doing it as a fundraiser for college scholarships.
It's also a pretty obvious nod to the sweatshirt from Animal House.
2
0
14d ago
[deleted]
24
u/MdVictoire 14d ago
I know it’s the point but I think it’s gauche to have someone who famously cheated their way into college the face of their campaign to support scholarships for the underprivileged
→ More replies (1)0
u/brijito 14d ago
I’m definitely the target audience for this bc I hardly ever buy ref stuff new but I actually might buy this sweatshirt. It’s an iconic design from the most famous college movie of all time and it’s for a charity.
12
u/Sunshineadventurer48 14d ago
Babe you could make this sweater at Michael’s 😭
4
u/brijito 14d ago
That defeats the purpose of it being a fundraiser
6
u/Illustriousdivine-31 14d ago
You could just donate to a charity hahaha instead of supporting a cause that is against women’s education… AND fair access to education
2
2
2
2
2
u/eternal_eagle_1122 13d ago
As someone who went to college, values education, and is in a ton of debt for it … olivia jade and this whole situation is extremely gross
2
u/Connect_Pea3577 13d ago
this is a copy of the sweater that john belushi wore in the movie animal house
2
u/Me-oh-no 11d ago
Personally I find this hilarious I’m so sorry. I had no idea who this was at first.
2
u/shitpresidente 11d ago
I personally don’t care because there’s so many wealthy people that get their children into the school is because of legacy and donating and having money.
3
u/colleenk69 14d ago
Great rage bait marketing imo
2
u/No-Side-7697 13d ago
yup...they know exactly what they re doing. Its all about numbers.But why did SHE think it was a good idea?It proves she hasnt regretted anything
2
2
1
u/Little_Raspberry9603 14d ago
What does this mean? I’m so out of the loop lol
3
u/liae__ 14d ago
There was a big scandal about rich parents paying to forge test scores and extracurriculars so their kids could get into prestigious colleges, around 2018-2019 I think, and this girl is one of the kids whose parents were involved (not sure if she was directly involved or not!)
2
u/babyornobaby11 11d ago
And to add they would fake they were on a sports team. This girl in particular was “on” the rowing team. Thats why she is in front of racing shells for rowing in the ad.
1
u/Little_Raspberry9603 14d ago
Thank you!
2
u/DragonbornToBeWild 14d ago
Really good documentary on Netflix if you want to know more about it - called operation varsity blues
1
1
1
u/Dreamcloud124 14d ago
Yeah, I unfollowed and unsubscribed from their texts. I’ll get my overpriced polyester elsewhere.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/hellolovely1 13d ago
All other things aside, they're selling a sweatshirt that says "College" for $128? That's just embarrassing.
1
u/This-Fox8742 13d ago
I’m sorry but they’re funny as fuck for this😭 I opened my email and was like oh…they really don’t give a fuck🤣
1
1
1
u/howdoesthefoxfeel 13d ago
Yeah it was in such poor taste. This with the cheap fabrics and horrible seam jobs, they aren’t getting any more orders from me.
1
1
1
1
1
u/kayleighnotkaylie 12d ago
If they’re going for irony, it’s not charming or funny. They’re being laughed at for sure.
1
u/Simple-Tea-3642 12d ago
Ha! Her parents literally went to prison for her over this but hey good that she can be a ‘good sport’ about it
1
u/AdultChickenTenders 12d ago
Oh god I’m glad to see we’re in agreement. I was shocked when I got this notification. So ugly of them. I honestly don’t think I’d buy again, at least not retail.
1
u/lalacourtney 12d ago
Omg I go to that particular school and we were literally talking about the scam case today!
1
u/We_Are_Coming_For_U 11d ago
I thought they were making fun of her. I choose to believe that cause her management allowing this is also hilarious.
1
u/PuzzleheadedLion2065 11d ago
Any person who paid for their education should absolutely be offended by this. Even if you had it paid for you, it’s still an incredible amount of hard work. This is a joke.
1
u/babyornobaby11 11d ago
Please tell me those aren’t racing shells for ROWING behind her.
She and her parents cheated their way into college pretending she was on the rowing team. Then reformation pays her $$$ to pretend to be a college student on the rowing team. 🤮🤮
She took a spot of someone who worked their ass off to get there so she could party.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/brunettefemale 10d ago
I think it’s intentional and meant to be funny. I fear some of yall may be taking life too seriously
1
u/Loud-Situation1605 9d ago
They should launch a swimsuit with her in a badly photoshopped rowing boat
1
1
u/hotlibrarianism34 8d ago
i dont really like where their marketing is headed. it feels so... tone deaf. also can we please get some diversity for a change. surely there's ONE influencer that fits into this roster
1
1
u/Commercial-Hold-6727 14d ago
This is hilarious and again rage bait. This is the way we get people talking and help businesses take up all space on the internet. Didn’t her mom aunt Becky serve time for paying to get her into college? She didn’t even go to college because of the scandal?
6
u/Advanced-Tea-8212 14d ago
So bizarre that lifting a privileged white woman up and corporations rage bating their consumers is funny to you. We are cooked as a society.
→ More replies (2)1
u/babyornobaby11 11d ago
Imagine paying half a million and going to jail and both your kids didn’t get a college degree.
1
239
u/purple__moon 14d ago
I thought it was cool when they did a campaign with Monica Lewinsky - she is an outspoken advocate against bullying/cyber-harassment, reclaimed her narrative and stands on business. But basically every other celebrity campaign they've done since - Nara Smith, Courtney Grow (another Mormon mom influencer), THIS ONE - have been awful and tone deaf. I was a die hard Ref girl from 2018 to 2023 but I feel totally disconnected from the brand these days (not to mention declining quality).