Peter Gaona

ReformedSchool began a little over a year ago after taking an Entrepreneurship course at Columbia College Chicago. Everyone in the class had to pitch a product and the top 5 would actually be produced. I pitched a product that I made from old t-shirts that I upcycled and turned into a bag and was called Chi-Town Repurposed.

I used concepts from that project to create bow ties while I was looking for a denim bowtie and could not find one anywhere. I decided to take apart a pre-tied bow tie to learn how it was constructed. I used a pair of jeans that I didn't wear anymore to practice my design. My tie was a hit and received a lot of compliments on it. I decided to create a line of bow ties and accessories that combined used/recycled clothing and new materials.

My vision for www.Reformed-School.com is to remain a small independent company making handmade unique accessories. I hope to expand my business to create accessories other than bow ties that utilize recycled fabrics and materials. Although I look to larger businesses for inspiration, I do not want ReformedSchool to become mass produced. I would like to stay a niche business that allows for customization and limited supply of each product. No item will be exactly like the next. The items may be made from similar fabric, but when using old clothing there is a limited supply to create something from it. With increasing societal awareness of the importance of recycling and sustainability, I hope to move toward a model of using at least 50% sustainable/recycled materials.