A Q&A with Californian Mata fan Deborah B.!
Tell us about your personal style and your lifestyle.
My style is generally pretty casual. I've been retired for about 6½ years, and I spend my time doing yoga and Israeli dancing, researching my genealogy, gardening and being active in my synagogue. I love traveling and spending time with friends and family.
How long have you been a fan?
I made my first purchase from Mata in 2010.
Why do you wear Mata?
The dresses are a rare combination: youthful style that looks good on older women as well. I just turned 65, and while I'd look ridiculous in the styles made by a lot of companies whose target audience is twentysomethings, I look great in Mata.
I've been sewing since I was a kid, and I know quality construction and fabrics. Mata clothing is some of the best-made I've ever bought. I also love knowing that the women who create these beautiful garments are earning a living wage and working under good conditions. And those pockets! Too many designers of women's clothing ignore the need for roomy, practical, useful pockets. I carry a purse when I must, but I'd rather not. When I wear a Mata dress with pockets, I can leave my purse at home, because there's room for everything I need: smartphone, ID, keys, cash and credit cards.
Then there are the easily overlooked details, like those wonderfully soft labels. My skin is sensitive, and so many clothing manufacturers seem to use the scratchiest labels even in garments made from beautifully soft fabrics. I often cut labels out, but I've never had to do that with a Mata garment. Also, Mata's sizing is so consistent that I always know the dress I'm buying will fit me perfectly.
Do you support other fair trade companies/products? If so, why is fair trade important to you?
I buy fair trade whenever I can. That goes beyond clothing to food: chocolate, sugar, coffee, bananas and more. It's important to me that the people whose labor goes into what I'm buying are fairly compensated for that labor.
On what occasions do you wear our dresses?
I wear Mata to attend synagogue every week. I also wear Mata to go out to dinner at nice restaurants, to weddings and to other festive celebrations. And on a triple-digit California Central Valley summer day, when it's too hot for jeans, nothing beats a Mata sun dress.
What words would you use to describe your dresses from Mata Traders?
Beautiful, different, comfortable and well-fitting.
What would you say to recommend us to a friend?
I don't have to say anything. All I have to do is wear Mata, and they ask me! I've given Mata's URL to lots of friends.