About uS
Atelier Riforma
Bringing discarded textiles back to life through technology, consulting, and training.
our
Story
Since 2019, Atelier Riforma has been pioneering in circular fashion. In 2020, we became an innovative social startup, founded by Elena Ferrero and Sara Secondo.
In our early years (2019–2021), our focus was on upcycling: we used to collect used clothing and work with artisans and social tailoring workshops to transform them into items that are both reusable and desirable for consumers.
The network of upcyclers that Atelier Riforma built grew to over 20 organizations across Italy, including initiatives supporting social inclusion for former prisoners, women survivors of violence, and migrants.
Once the garments were ‘reformed’ (hence the startup’s name), they were sold on Atelier Riforma’s e-commerce, the first in Italy dedicated to upcycled clothing.
With the goal of applying this circular model on a larger scale, the startup then developed and patented a technology, Re4Circular, which is at the core of its current activities (2022–present).
Today, the company focuses on accelerating the fashion industry’s transition toward greater circularity through innovative services, advocacy, and cutting-edge technologies.
mEEt Our teAm
At the heart of Atelier Riforma is a multidisciplinary team with expertise ranging from ethical fashion and sustainability to digital innovation and training.
in AdditiOn
We work on the IT development of our platform alongside Huulke, and every year our team grows with talented interns! We’re also supported by an amazing network of mentors and advisors, as well as a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to social innovation.
our
paRtner
Atelier Riforma is thriving thanks to partners and networks who share our vision of a future shaped by circular fashion.
Awards and projects won
Sptember 2020
Among the 7 finalist startups at the 2020 National Festival of Civil Economy.
October 2021
Special mention for Environmental Sustainability in the regional final of CNA’s 2021 Premio Cambiamenti.
October 2021
Selected from over 1,300 fashion startups from around the world for the StartupBootcamp FashionTech acceleration program.
May 2022
Among the 6 startups finalists for the Green Alley Award, the best-known European award for the circular economy
jUly 2022
Selected for B-Heroes‘s B-Wonder acceleration program, dedicated to female empowerment;
September 2022
Winner of the 20k€ Welfare che Impresa! award by Fondazione Italiana Accenture
October 2022
Among the 4 winning projects of the Make It Circular national contest in the Rome Maker Faire 2022
April 2023
Winners of the Premio Impresa Ambiente, the highest Italian recognition for companies committed to sustainability (Young Entrepreneur category)
Nov 2023 - fEb 2024
SocialTech4EU dedicato aimprese estartup sociali europee che utilizzano latecnologia per l’impatto (grant 23.000€ spesi in servizi di marketing e innovazione tecnologica)
Dic 2023 - Set 2024
Nodes, Spoke2-Green technologies and sustainable industries – Linea B (fondi PNRR per 26.500€ spesi in innovazione tecnologica)
Dec 2023 - jUne 2024
SoTecIn Factory – In support of tech-based social and circular innovations in various sectors (15,000€ grant + training and mentoring);
Apr 2024 - Sept 2025
Social Tides – Grow AI – Acceleration program (+ a grant of 175,000€) for social enterprises using AI, promoted by INCO and supported by Google for Startups Accelerator
Oct 2024 - Oct 2025
Climaborough – Horizon Europe project aimed at making cities more sustainable (133,000€ obtained together with 2 partners for RiVestiTO pilot project in the city of Turin)
November 2025
Premio per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile – Among the winners in the “Circular Economy” category, with the RiVestiTO pilot project;
sep 2026 - ongoing
Cultura e Imprenditorialità incardinate nell’Economia Circolare e nel Tessuto Urbano
City of Turin call for proposals on the circular economy (€125,000 obtained with two partners for the RiTessiAMO project)
