Ethical Fashion Blog
After the turn out for our Autumn/Winter 2016 Focus Group in early January, two things are certain:
Fall ’16 samples are here, which can only mean one thing – we need your help! We have to whittle this collection down to a lean, mean, stylish fair trade machine, and your opinions matter!
If you’ve fished around our site at all lately, you’ve noticed – we have a new look! Our old website had been up since 2007 so we were well overdue for an upgrade. Imagine our delight when we found just the person for the job – Jess from June Letters Studio. Her designs are clean and refreshing, and her hand lettering is to die for. We knew in an instant that she was the perfect person to handle the new Mata look moving forward.
Need a last minute outfit for the holidays? We’ve compiled a collection of ethical and fair trade products that wil...
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Exciting news! The Mata Dressember team has already reached their fundraising goal of $1,000! Thank you so much to all those who have donated – your support will help fight slavery and human trafficking throughout the world. You can still donate to Mata’s Dressember team through the end of the month, and be part of a movement that has already collectively raised over $400,000 in the first two weeks of December!
You’ve got a conundrum. It’s that time of year to start your holiday shopping, and we’re certain there’s one thing you’re probably not looking forward to. It’s not the crowds or anxiously waiting for sales.
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Our newest video, just in time to cap off Fair Trade Month! Meet more of the women who make Mata Traders’ garments and hear from them directly to learn how your purchase makes a difference in their lives. Please excuse my less-than-stellar videography skills. Special thanks to Rick Romanowski for editing the footage and the Andreas Kapsalis Trio for the musical accompaniment.
If you read our blog regularly, you know that one of the perks of being a member of a fair trade cooperative is the opportunity to take classes and attend workshops. One of our artisan cooperatives recently updated us on what they’ve been doing– they’ve been celebrating and learning quite a bit!A
India is the kind of place where a Mercedes Benz will pull up next to an ox cart at a stop light, and a man in an ...
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The beginning of fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Though I’m sad that summer (and my internship with Mata Traders) has come to an end, I can’t help but be excited for the crisp air and for feelings of a fresh start to settle in – it’s a new school year for me! Fall wardrobes are an especially big part of my love for this season. I’m a practical girl, and there is so much that can be done with a fall dress with the help of layering and accessorizing. Take a look at these Mata dresses that can easily go from a casual day look in the classroom or workplace to a more sophisticated nighttime look for, you know, dates and things.
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Did you know that today is World Elephant Day?! An estimated 100 African elephants are killed daily by poachers seeking ivory and meat. Today, people all over the world are coming together to protect and celebrate elephants, the largest land animals on the Earth. I love this cute photo of a Mama elephant with her baby:
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I am an intern here at Mata Traders for the summer and despite the cold weather drifting in, this summer has been great! I started here at the beginning of June and have loved it so much. As a college student finding what to do over the summer is always a daunting task. This year I was torn between if I should find a summer job and work to save up for studying abroad or if I should find an internship to continue pursuing what I love. Somehow I must’ve run into a bit of luck because I found two opportunities that allowed me to do both! When I am not here interning at Mata Traders, I am at a hidden gem: The Chicago Botanic Gardens.
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This just in: pineapples are the tastiest and quirkiest trend this spring! I’ve seen them everywhere – from earrings and pillows to clutches and iPhone cases. Lucky for you, we designed a pineapple print for this spring season!
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Have you ever tried wearing a sari? It’s a little more elaborate than a typical American outfit (shirt and jeans or a simple dress, for example). First, the blouse is worn (blouses vary in styles and embellishments). Then a floor-length petticoat is tied at the waist, while the upper part of the sari is tucked into the petticoat and wrapped around the body. The rest is draped over the left shoulder, often fastened with a safety pin to prevent it from falling off. While a bit challenging for beginners to learn, mastering the process of dressing in a sari brings a lot of elegance and pride to the women that wear them.