Ethical Fashion Blog

What does your perfect ethical shopping spree look like? A box of ethically sourced tea from India with a side of chocolate from Madagascar?  A knit scarf from Peru and recycled stationery from Cambodia? Lots-a-Mata fair trade clothing and handmade jewelry?

For the month of November, Mata is partnering with Oxfam America to raise money for their efforts to end poverty and injustice.  You’ve probably heard of Oxfam, but if not I can tell you that they are one of the most respected social justice organizations in the world, working both on the ground and at policy level.

Welcome to the 2nd ‘Get The Look For Less (Guilt)’!  In today’s post we are looking at the beloved trend of black & white stripes.

We all know and love those ‘Get the Look for Less’ segments where you see a designer look and learn how to find it for less money.  Well, I am here to give you something even better…The Look For Less (Guilt)!  These new posts will help distinguish those great designer looks, but help you source them through fair trade and Eco-friendly companies,  so you can feel good about where your clothing and accessories are coming from! It is well known that many clothing companies take advantage of low health standards and cheap labor in developing countries to increase their profits.  Mata Traders is here to help!

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.

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:

Bonded labor, also known as debt bondage or indentured servitude, was declared illegal and officially outlawed in Nepal in 2000, and then again in 2006, and again in 2009.  Why must the the Nepali government keep announcing freedom for bonded laborers?  Well, it’s because the problem persists.

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.

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.

The Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, with its 90+ organizational members, works on advocacy and policy development in the maternal and child health field.  IMCHC envisions an Illinois that works towards equity and social justice, fosters the development of healthy families, and provides fair access to quality health care – the basic rights of all human beings.