If we’re talking about how values show up in the creation of specific clothing styles, you won’t find a better example of this than fair trade fashion. For fair trade fashion brands, the process is just as important as the product. Collections don’t begin with design inspiration, they stem from family-owned production partners, long-term boutique relationships, cross-cultural collaborations, and a commitment to each person involved.

This is the foundation that Mata Traders is built on. In episode 139, Mata Traders Owner & Director Taylor McCleneghan shares what it means to be fair trade and just how those values, strengths, and limitations came together in their Rosy Snakes Lucielle Dress. Taylor and I get nerdy about the details and, as Taylor sums up so well in this episode: “I continue to just be amazed at what people can create together.”

Early exposure to building costumes for school plays could very well be what sparked Taylor's curiosity for garment construction!

With a deep appreciation for how all things are made and a joy in creating with our producer partners, Taylor’s passion for products that support an equitable system grows every day at Mata.

What we learn about fit in this episode:

Fitting the people

  • How Mata Traders prioritizes the people in their supply chain just as much as the people who are their customers
  • Why relationships are so important to fair trade production

Fitting the performance

  • How Mata uses customer and store feedback into their design process
  • How Mata’s customer-favorite style – the Lucielle Dress – has evolved over the last 7 years

Fitting the purpose

  • What fair trade actually means at the brand and product level
  • The difference between fair trade product versus brand certifications and memberships
  • Transparently telling the story behind the clothes to customers and buyers while protecting the privacy and relationships with production people

Fitting the production

  • Why Mata designs each piece with a particular manufacturing partner in mind
  • The nuances of different printing and production processes that Mata’s partner’s use and how Mata’s team designs with strengths and limitations in mind

People and resources mentioned in this episode:

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