This article is created in partnership with MATTER—they’re dedicated to reviving slow, mindful fashion that’s compassionate to people and planet. We couldn’t be prouder to be working with them. ~ ed.
Connected people need connected clothing.
There is an old adage that says an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances.
Those of us who care about the future of our beautiful, troubled world strive to live our values. We are global citizens, connected by this home we share. We vote with our dollars. We weigh the impact of our personal choices against the greater good. We ask questions about provenance: of the food we eat, the products we use, and the clothes we wear. We want to know more about the people and processes behind these things.
In the face of the devastating impact of mass consumerism, many of us are returning to the slow, the mindful, the small-scale, the traditional, the hand-crafted.
Wear the Change you Wish to See in the World.
MATTER is a purpose-driven, craft-centered company who are leading the way in sustainable fashion. Our mission is threefold—to foster designer-artisan collaborations, inspire customers to value provenance and process, and pioneer industry change and sustainability for rural textile communities.
We’re big believers in the mantra that great things are done by a series of small things brought together—in our case, every product that we send out into the world, to your doorstep, is a small ripple of change.
This is the reason we stitch a red thread into our clothes. We hope this signature stitch holds as a reminder to begin a relationship with your clothes. From the designer, to the artisan partners who were a part of your garment’s making—we’re all connected.
When we learn about the context in which something is made and the lives of those who made it, we create a connection between people who otherwise might have little in common. We love to remind our customers to spot the color gradience on their handloom pants; they signal the rest pauses where the weaver has taken a break from the loom. This is a beautiful example of how something which otherwise is an industrial defect becomes a detail we empathise with.
“I delved into the concept of ethical fashion and it changed everything for me. I wanted to know what my clothes were being made by people who were treated fairly, working in a safe environment by choice, not by force. That the farming and manufacturing practices were sustainable and not harming the planet. I wanted to know my shopping habits weren’t at the cost of another human’s welfare.” ~ Matter shopper
5 One-of-a-kind Slow Fashion Essentials:
1. The Work Jumpsuit
THE WORK JUMPSUIT + MYSTIC MOUNTAIN
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Part wrap top, part classic wideleg, the Matter work jumpsuit is completely adjustable to your body. From its design to the final pattern, this style was 15 months in its making. Block printed on organic cotton, it draws inspiration from the geometric patterns of the worshipping seats used in Kumaon that mark the different stages of life—right from birth to eternity.
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THE WORK JUMPSUIT + HAIRLINE STRIPE
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Made from 100% medium weight cotton, bundled and dyed by hand with azo-free dyes, then handloomed. It's an eco, figure-flattering, moveable, comfortable, and beautiful equivalent of a power suit—made for work, to love and wear it for years to come.
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TRADITIONAL CRAFT
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The purpose of craft is to tell a story. From technique to the final product, each step requires the skills Matter's artisans have spent their lives learning, bringing life into the craft as it passes through each hand. All this teaches us to value the journey. After all, the value of craft is in its making.
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2. The Sideswept Dhoti
THE SIDESWEPT DHOTI + MOBI BURGUNDY
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The intricate Mobi print reinvented in a deeper, rich burgundy for extra opulence. Inspired by the multifold drapes of the Indian dhoti, this version made of crepe silk lends an effortless elegance that can be brought from a day at the office to a weekend roadtrip. It also adapts to the climate, keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
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THE SIDESWEPT DHOTI + CHAMBRAY CHILI
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Inspired by the multifold drapes of the Indian dhoti, this is an edgier version designed for modern asymmetry. Made with organic cotton weaved and stitched in India by artisan craftspeople. Worn with character, the expressive side slinging pocket and versatile wrap fit are easily styled for a beach day out or evening tipples. Matter's signature unisex style.
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COMPASSIONATE FASHION
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When we know the care that goes into a product that takes 120 days to make, passing through more than 10 steps and 20 people in its journey, we understand the love that has gone into it. The more we understand the interconnected pieces of the supply chain behind a product, the better choices we can make around our consumption.
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3. The Lounge Lunghi
THE LOUNGE LUNGHI + KOYA
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This motif was created by Srinath, Matter's master weaver who taught us the intricate ropes of the ikat dyeing technique. Named after the village he calls home, the Koya motif is Matter's tribute to him and his story. Made from 100% medium weight cotton.
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THE LOUNGE LUNGHI + PHILLIPINES TEAL
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"These pants are the most special piece that I own. Besides being organic, comfortable, stylish, they give you all the free spirit vibes while you're in them. I wore them during my camping trip on the West Coast and it was enough for me to believe that clothes really do have a soul. Clothes can really affect your feelings! Besides, they look amazing in photos!" ~ Busra
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CONNECTED CLOTHING
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Craft means much more than just “slow” or “handmade.” Artisans are typically part of a generational family business. They have grown up around the knowledge of the craft, and were taught their skills from their forefathers, making them essential to the continuity of the tradition. Every piece of craft is an extension of its maker’s life work to master a skill.
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4. The Wrap Skirt
THE WRAP SKIRT + ZALYA JUNGLE
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A woven motif from the archives of our ikat dyeing partners; Zalya is an arrowhead flying across the plain white fields, an untold story of the brave and fearless. This wrap skirt is a nod to the timeless styles that inspired this classic silhouette.
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THE WRAP SKIRT + ICHING CHARCOAL
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Ease and elegance all in one, we love this wrap skirt for its adjustable buttons (of course), plus a hidden tie closure that keeps the wrap secure even when you’re sitting down by the desk or getting out of cabs.
"I love this skirt so much! Goes with everything and great for casual days or work. Easy to tie." ~ Wee
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MINIMAL WASTE DESIGN + SEASONLESS STYLE
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Using a method that reduces textile waste in the design to pattern cutting process, our production partners collect the leftover fabrics from every order. Offcut fabrics are then repurposed to create our #mattermini line. Grounded in a philosophy of seasonless style, every piece is created with the intention to carry you through the years to come & made to adjust to your body as it changes, too.
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5. The All-Day Jumpsuit
THE ALL DAY JUMPSUIT + KIRANA
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"This was my first purchase from Matter and I was not disappointed. The black and white pattern is just beautiful and goes with everything (very versatile, can be dressed up or down) and the design is really smart (for its adjustability and easy bathroom use). The cotton is super soft and the color lovely and vibrant." ~ Fenja
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THE ALL DAY JUMPSUIT + KOYA
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Designed to take you from day to night, it's called the All Day Jumpsuit for a reason. A broad neckline allows for ease and effortlessness of wear, just step in and pull it up. Four-button closure keeps it adjustable, along with a two-button option along the tapered cuffs. Finished with pleated details for a subtle silhouette. 100% medium weight cotton.
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PEOPLE + PROCESS
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Meet the block printing artisan partners Matter works with. What began as a commitment to transparency, continues as a practice in the everyday, beginning with the people and process behind Matter's products. The value of craft is in its making, and in the people who carry on the narrative of the generations before them.
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author: Matter Prints
Image: Author's own
Editor: Khara-Jade Warren
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