Ethical Fashion Blog
I’m Justine, Designer & QC Coordinator, and I’m next up for Mata team wish lists – here goes!
Continue Reading
We’re continuing our series of our staff’s holiday wish lists this week! Next up is Chris, our Managing Director:
We’re continuing our series of some Mata team holiday wish lists! Next up, our Sales Manager Kacey:
Tis the season for peppermint mochas, stockings, and…holiday wish lists! Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing the Mata team’s dream gifts and must-haves this holiday season, so check back soon for more!
When our founder Maureen started Mata, she had two best friends, Jonit and Michelle, by her side on a ’round the world trip. While she knew those relationships would last a lifetime, it was anybody’s guess that those friends would be her business partners at a thriving fair trade fashion company over a decade later!
Continue Reading
As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, Mata is happy to use Fair Trade Month as an excuse to introduce a new way of talking about what fair trade is and what it means for the people who are doing this work: 360° fair trade. Our commitment to social, economic, and environmental responsibilities goes beyond fair wages and safe conditions. Fair Trade Federation members are also committed to building long-term and holistic partnerships with small farmers and artisan producer groups. These meaningful relationships in turn empower small farmers and artisans to sustainably grow and develop their businesses and communities.
Continue Reading
So, you’ve read about the environmental and social damages of fast fashion and the failure of retailers or factories to adequately improve working conditions and you’ve decided to make the leap into more conscious consumerism.
If your summer style inspiration has dried up in the August heat, fear not – Mata is here to help! We’ve got outfit ideas for everything from your weekend getaways to your at-home adventures. All of these great looks start with some fabulous Mata staples, but we also featured our favorite conscious choices from other like-minded brands. Take a look!
Retailers and Factories Fail to Live Up to Promises to Improve Worker Conditions
Three years after the infamous Rana Plaza factory collapse killed over 1,100 garment factory workers in Bangladesh, reports show there are many significant safety hazards that remain in the country’s garment factories, as demonstrated by the recent Bangladesh factory fire this past February.
As someone whose business partners had babies 3 years ago, I know the value of childcare. This Mother’s Day, I’d like to point out how special it is that the sewing cooperatives we work with have childcare available.
Continue Reading
If you are in the Chicago area, join us for the biggest fair trade event in the USA! Chicago Fair Trade’s annual 2-day World Fair Trade festival and market will take place at Daley Plaza from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday, May 4, and Thursday, May 5. Come visit Mata at our booth, where we will be selling a large selection of clothing and jewelry, including sale items and one-of-a-kind samples!
Continue Reading
On April 24, 2013, 1,124 people were killed and over 2,500 injured when the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fashion Revolution Day was started to honor the memory of the workers who lost their lives and to advocate for brands to ensure the safety of the people who make their clothes. At Mata Traders, we share the core belief central to Fashion Revolution: that fashion can and should be made in a safe, clean, and beautiful way, where the people who make our clothing are valued and paid a fair wage.
Continue Reading
Anxious for spring? Check out these two ethical outfits we’ve compiled that will help make the remaining winter weeks a little cozier and brighter.
Continue Reading