Ethical Fashion Blog

Athena is a mythological figure, an age-old symbol of many virtues that have inspired people throughout history. One of the most well-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon, she represents wisdom, justice, inspiration, courage, and the arts. In Greek mythology, Athena was the daughter of Zeus, the ruler of all the gods and goddesses. She emerged in the world fully grown, clothed in armor, bearing a shield and shouting war cries. Athena was from that moment Zeus’s favorite child and became who we all know now as the Goddess of Wisdom.

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.

You’re real. We’re real. Ok, everyone’s real.

But our point is – everybody can wear Mata! People you walk by on the sidewalk, people with babies or dogs or purses or carrying groceries. People that like to get dressed up and people that are more comfortable in casual clothes. Singers, runners, relaxers, go-getters –really, anyone.

Hi Guys! I’m Hyunmin, a Mata Traders intern from Korea, and I’m back on the blog to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. Yay!

This past Saturday a horrific natural disaster struck the heart of Mata Traders’ artisan community. A magnitude 7.9 earthquake shook Nepal just after noon, with a strong aftershock occurring an hour later. Buildings were flattened, centuries-old temples were destroyed, and an earthquake-triggered avalanche on Mount Everest killed 17, injuring over 60 others. Smaller jolts hit the region for hours afterwards, leaving many buildings unstable, and causing panic among the people. Thousands have taken to the streets, sleeping outside in the rain and cold to avoid further building collapses, and access to drinking water and food remain a huge problem. With survivors still being pulled out of the rubble, it will take days until we know the full impact of the quake. It will take many years until the densely populated, and largely impoverished Himalayan country can come back from such a horrible event.

A few weeks ago, we discovered a campaign created by the Canadian Fair Trade Network. It highlights the point that a garment’s tag really doesn’t tell you much. Made in India, huh?

World Fair Trade Day is in five short weeks, and we want to get you amped up!

Give a gift that gives back. This year we asked our very own employees to make a Christmas list filled with gifts from companies with heart.

Give a gift that gives back. This year we’ve asked our very own employees to make a Christmas list filled with gifts from companies that love to give back. Stay tuned for many more good-for-the-world wish lists!