Ethical Fashion Blog

Hi! Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite Mata dresses, the Pagoda Pocket dress.  It’s a great little dress to feel comfortable in the summer heat.

Meet Leela, Uma, and Gopi.

They are stitchers who create the intricate embroidery and applique found on many of our garments and accessories.  See them in action, stitching away:

This is the story of what happens when 2 people have babies.  Well, specifically, when those 2 people are my best friends, and they get a fair trade fashion business up and running, and through that business they design clothing made of original handmade block-printed and screen-printed cotton fabric.  And then I join the company, only for those 2 best friends to turn around and have babies at the same time.  It’s soooo awesome for best friends to have babies at the same time, but for business partners, it poses some challenges.

Here comes Sooners for Fair Trade, one of a growing number of student-run fair trade advocacy groups popping up on college and university campuses across the U.S. and abroad.  This group is starting off with a bang, planning an on-campus event called Fair Trade Fest, April 22-26:

…doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas (Matawear goes anywhere)!

Last week my mom and I escaped to fabulous Las Vegas for some fun in the sun, and of course I brought along some Mata fair trade dresses to strut the Strip in color and style.

It’s a new year!  And that means new shows, new trends, and new inspiration!

Here are the hot trends we’ve been spotting for jewelry this spring:

Mint. Want some color?  Go for green!  Shades of green are big big big, and everyone is especially loving mint and emerald.  The Fan Earrings are a perfect touch and look good with practically everything; pair this touch of mint with an all black & white outfit (also popular this season).

The next generation of fashionistas walked the runway last week at Northside College Prep High School in Chicago.  They rocked the looks, but the coolest thing about these budding style-ophiles is that they are also the next generation of social justice advocates.  The students used their passion for fashion to teach their peers and community about fair trade and the way our purchases have an impact on global poverty.

Looking for tips on how to bring your Mata cotton clothing into the chilly winter?  Then keep an eye on October Rebel, who has a knack for adding the perfect layers to winterize her Matawear.