Ethical Fashion Blog

We thought this would be kinda fun…

Hi everyone! Today we’ve got Lindsay from Lee La La styling our Printed Peplum skirt for a summer outing. This skirt is a great way to fancy up a simple black tee, as you can see. In fact, with such a bright, bold print, pairing it with more basic or subdued pieces is a good way to go. Lindsay looks super polished with nude pumps and a leather tote, but at the same time, the skirt is saying, “Girls just want to have fun!”

It’s crazy to think that in the fashion industry we have to design a collection a year in advance! One cold winter day in 2013, the design team here at Mata Traders sat around a table, enveloped in sweaters, hot tea/coffee in hand, flipping through the spring 2014 trend forecast shining from our computer screens. These wonderful images of warmth and color that symbolize spring gave me a sense of hope that maybe we would soon see the sun, but more importantly, got our brains racing for possibilities for new textiles and garments.

Another great style post from vegan style blogger, Jesse! If you didn’t see her in our Pen Pal skirt, she’s been strutting her stuff in some new Mata pieces this spring!

Some of you may know, but we moved to a brand new warehouse/office space at the beginning of April. We were stepping all over each other in the old place, so you can imagine our excitement at having so much room now. We’ve got space and we want to celebrate it!

You might remember when this happened a couple years ago, but it happened again. Mata Traders was on NPR!

We had a booth in Daley Plaza, right here in Chicago, for the World Fair Trade Day event. There were lots of vendors, several people spoke, and WBEZ’s Worldview with Jerome McDonald was recording live, so Maureen was on the radio!

If there were ever a true cocktail dress, this is it, it, and it!  The First Dance Dress, the Starling Pocket Dress, and ModCloth’s exclusive Toast to Coast dress.

We know you’ve been waiting for it: that first big summer holiday, a day off, a day where BBQs and boats and beaches and beers and buddies of all sorts convene and have a glorious day of celebrating America’s independence. It’s the best, and we want to make sure you look your best.

We have some news!

Our beloved Inventory Manager and all around fun magnet, Bree, is moving on to bigger and better things. After starting as an intern and working her way up to managing the hectic day-to-day shipments and phone calls and so much more, AND keeping a happy face while doing so, she’s decided to move back to her hometown and help her grandparents out with the family business. Any of you who have ever spoken with Bree know what a hard worker she is and what a great asset she has been to Mata.

Florals are one of the most popular patterns on fabric. Walk into a clothing store and a floral print is guaranteed to cover a few garments. I myself have designed or refined a bunch of florals for Mata Traders like the Roses print and the Falling Florals print. You might be asking what makes this floral print different?

Did you know we’re on Instagram? Stay up to date and get behind the scenes by following us there!

Travel expert Kendra Thornton has a challenge a lot of us can relate to; day-to-day a busy lady and mom of three, she needs the perfect outfit for a night of fun on a trip to New York City! We put together two style boards that would work perfectly for a night out with her friends. Most importantly, both outfits are from fair trade, ethical, and eco-friendly brands. Conscious spending is the best spending!

As the temps are finally creeping up here in Chicago, I’m enjoying the warm breeze with hints of spring blossoms. We’ve got some great bloggers ready to style our Spring ’14 collection, and first up is fair trade fashionista Brandi, who brings her spring as she remixes the Maybe Me Top with items found in anyone’s wardrobe. A sensible coordinator, she’s got a stylish and a simple way to warm up from the hibernation of winter fashion.