Hey, Mata fans! Have you seen our Obi Crescent dress in red? It’s comfortable, breezy, and perfect for watching fireworks. I think you see where we’re going with this.
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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.
Here at Mata Traders, India is close to our hearts (you might know that “Mata” means Mother in Hindi). So we found an instant connection to our June Charity of the Month, Namaste Charter School. Namaste is a Hindi word used to greet someone; basically it’s like saying hi. But the literal meaning is “bow to you.” It represents the belief that there is greatness inside each of us.
I just needed an excuse to post these photos from a store front in Nikko, Japan. We love cats around here.
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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:
Meet Shelly Ruzicka, passionate fighter for worker rights, Director of Operations at Arise Chicago, and new Co-chair of the Board of Chicago Fair Trade.
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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.
They’re not just one of our favorites because they carry a wide variety of our fair trade dresses, tops, and skirts. It’s also because they’ve got a ton of cool stuff from all over the world, “from wondrous to wacky!” And also because we love Nomad’s super-fun owner, Deb!
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.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
Start here – buy a Lonely Planet Peru and you’re off on your honeymoon! In Dec. of 2011 my husband and I landed in Lima and loved it immediately – check out Second Home Peru, the best bed and breakfast in town and once home to Victor Delfin, artist extraordinaire. His sculpture The Kiss sits smack dab on the ocean in “Love Park” in Lima’s Miraflores district.
Today my grandma is 98 years old! Happy birthday, Grandma Harriet! Aren’t we cute in our twinsie Applique Plume Skirts? Btw, the skirt is on sale for $32. Get it while you can!
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Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future. Last week, Marlo Thomas keyed us in on a documentary airing on PBS entitled ‘MAKERS: Women Who Make America’. You can watch the documentary here.
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.