Matik bonfire weekend pop-up shop

I will be off to India soon to start working on the next Matik collection. Before saying goodbye though, I am doing a pop-up shop of all Matik products at friends price. 

The event is on Saturday November 8th from 4pm till 10pm at the Green House, 49 Green Lane.

There will be live music, other fantastic stalls, yummy food - cooked by the lovely Alice, who is an incredible chef - spicy cider, intriguing cocktails and lots more.

Kids of course are welcome and the event is free so bring friends along.

More info www.facebook.com/events

Matik empowers women out of poverty by creating a market for their products through direct trade. Follow our adventures here!

Autumn memories

Autumn is probably my favourite season.
I love observing how the summery green leaves are slowly changing to all sorts of shades between orange, red and chocolate brown. I love wrapping myself in huge, wooly scarves to go out for a walk and embrace the weather, especially when the wind is so strong that you feel you could almost fly away. I love eating pomegranate, pears, apples and pumpkin soup. I love throwing myself in those big mountains of leaves, which are usually piled up at the side of the pavement (yes, I still do it). I love the crispy air of the morning and the first sight of frost on the grass. I love standing outside in a cold night while sipping mulled wine near a bonfire. I love Halloween and 'trick or treat'. And most of all, I love snuggle up on the sofa with my girls when outside is wet and cold, we get a blanket, make some hot chocolate and watch family movies all day long.

Matik empowers women out of poverty by creating a market for their products through direct trade. Follow our adventures here!

The Fashion Revolution

Have you ever heard of the Fashion Revolution Campaign?

Last week it was mentioned to me by two people in two different occasions so I went online to find out more.. and I am so glad I did.

On April 24th 2013, 133 people were killed and over 2500 were injured when the Rana Plaza factory complex collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was a social and environmental catastrophe.

On the same day the following year, 60 countries and ten thousands of people decided to stand together to declare that the fashion industry needed to change and time had come for more transparency and sustainability. Consumers around the world were asked to wear their clothes #insideoutand asked retailers and fashion labels where their clothes where coming from. Very few responded.

"We have lost the connection with the clothes that we wear. The farmers do not know where their cotton goes; the producers no longer make entire garments, they are just line workers; and the end consumer rarely knows where their clothes were made."

WE CAN CHANGE THIS!

Through small actions and more awareness we can slowly start to reconnect those broken links in the supply chain. Start by asking the people around you: "Who made your clothes?". Get people to think. Get people to act.

To find out more about the Fashion Revolution Campaign visit http://fashionrevolution.org/

Matik empowers women out of poverty by creating a market for their products through direct trade. Follow our adventures here!

The powerful message of a simple object.

I definitely recommend the 'Disobedient Object 's exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, on until February 2015. This is the first exhibition to examine the powerful role of objects in movements for social change.
Most of the stuff exhibited were made by people collectively taking design into their hand to make a change in the world. From giant puppets representing the pain of Iraqi mothers to provocative counterfeit machines, there are some very interesting pieces that even taken out of their wider context have a really strong impact.
There was a pair of two left-footed trainers, allegedly stolen by DC, 19, during the 2011 London riot. She entered a shop, took the shoes and left them outside the same shop ten seconds later.
A simple pair of shoes, briefly stolen, costed her 10 months in prison.
There were mannequins wearing big gorilla masks - those you often find in dressing up shops - but in this case their meaning was less of a joke and more a provocative call to highlight gender and racial inequality in the art world. They were part of a stunt launched by the Guerrilla Girls in response to an exhibition organised by the Museum of Modern Art, featuring 169 of the most important contemporary artists. Of these only 13 were female.
However, the piece that strake me the most - because close to issue that inspired me to set up Matik - was the 'Nike Blanket' by Cat Mazza: a huge blanket made by tiny knitted squares, each made by Nike garment workers to call for better labour conditions and fairer policies in Nike's factories.
The Nike blanket project was created to 'unify disparate global craft communities in an anti-sweatshop project in order to promote micro craft economies and small act resistance to the feminization of labour'. Amazing to think the strong power a simple blanket can have.
I like to think that in their own way Matik's quilts are a bit the same, but instead of telling about someone's struggle, they tell about someone's victory.

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The story behind Matik's quilts.

Women in India have saved their old sari to make quilts for centuries, as old cloth was thought to be lucky and have a protective effect, especially if the sari used to make them had happy memories attached to them. 

Quilts are traditionally made using 3-5 five layers of vintage 100% cotton sari, pierced and stitched together with thousands and thousands of tiny stitches, traditionally called 'kantha'. It takes one woman between 2 to 3 weeks to complete one piece. Our artisans meet twice a month at Anoothi local centre and pick up the fabrics they need. They choose the colours, agree on a patten and then bring the materials to their home where they start working on it. Being able to work from home is very important in a culture where married women are often not allowed to work outside the house as it allows them to earn a living and become more financial independent.

Our local partner, Anoothi, started by training a handful of women around eight years ago and they now have 250 artisans working with them. 

What soon became clear was that after only a couple of months, not only those women had learn a great deal but also their attitude had changed: having a decent job with a steady salary and feeling economically independent had made them feel empowered. 

This is a powerful statement from Lakshmi Bai, one of our artisans: "Whatever I could not enjoy as a child, I ensure that my daughter gets. She will also get the best education possible. I used to worry a lot as to how I would do it but now I have courage and money. I will work more and earn more money and make her a Doctor…."

Rather than shopping for new saris, Matik likes to go and pick its pieces around the big sari markets in Jaipur - a crazy energetic bustle of people and colours. 

These saris tell stories. They are like canvas that our artisans put together to reveal their spirit and identity - In fact each artisan proudly stitches her name on the quilt she designs. Much like our artisans, the saris we use over time are developed into a beautiful and bold new entity. It’s incredible to imagine the lives of each quilt we sell. From it’s initial creation some years ago, through the hands of it’s various owners, to the moment it gets to us, in a new form and ready to become a special piece for someone else. To find your perefect, unique piece visit www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MatikBoutique

Refresh your bedroom with a bohemian touch.

Matik's collection of beautiful Kantha Quilt is now available online. Hurray!

Our quilts are made with 3-5 five layers of vintage 100% cotton sari, pierced and stitched together with thousands and thousands of tiny stitches, traditionally called 'kantha'.

Each one is special, and each is one of a kind. They may have little patches here and there, which only adds to their quirky charm. Some may have extra embroidery, depending on the area or village where the piece was made.

Women in India have saved their old sari to make quilts for centuries, as old cloth was thought to be lucky and have a protective effect, especially if the sari used to make them had happy memories attached to them.

These quilts are made in Rajhastan by women coming from poor and marginalized segments of Indian society. Our local partner, Anoothi, started by training a handful of women in traditional embroidery techniques and soon realized that after only a couple of months, not only they had learn a great deal but also their attitude had changed: having a decent job with a steady salary and feeling economically independent had made them feel empowered.

Each artisans stitches her name proudly on her quilt design, making this product even more unique.

Find your unique piece at Matik Boutique and remember the quilts are all one of a kind, so if you find the one that is perfect for you, just go for it.

Love your product, know the producer, change her life!

Summer Holidays - Here we come!!!

Summer holidays are here! and for those getting ready to hit the beach, Matik has picked for you the three best outfits for the unforgettable Summer 2014!

Let's start with a classic. The Daisy-Star pocket dress is the perfect outfit for those who are born to be free spirit. When the only thing you want to wear is your swimming costume but your mum tells you that you can't go out like that, simply throw your little dress on and run towards your hundreds adventures. It's light, fresh and has big spacious pockets, which are perfects for storing sea-shells, stones and even the odd sweet :) - This year print is all about big daisy and bright stars - Get the look at Matik boutique.

If you are a bit more grown up, and style rather than comfort is what you are looking for, well, we have the perfect outfit for you: our lovely playsuit in sunflower yellow or jungle mauve.
Whether you go to Campbestival, Latitude or Lollibop this is the perfect festival outfit. Great with wellies as well as crocks! - Get the look at Matik Boutique.

And finally for those little ones going to the seaside for the first time, we have just the perfect sundress for you. Something simple, but just SO right: our baby sundress with blue sailing boats. It will leave you free to crawl around while looking perfectly glamorous for those first shots that will haunt you for life :) - Get the look at Matik boutique.

Please note, all our dresses are hand-made in Ghana using traditional batik techniques. Our products are unique and high-quality, tended to with care through a meticulous quality control process.
Our producers are hard working women, who through selling their products have managed to become economically independent creating security for themselves and their children.

Matik at Hackney's Village Green Market

Rain or shine Matik will be at the Village Green market this Sunday 13th July.

Hackney Down Studio's own unique market will be open from 11am till 6pm showcasing some of the most delicious food stalls and some of the trendiest designers in town: whisky and dill cured salmon, horseradish creamy mini bagel from Nino's Food & co; black vinyl stout from Signature Brew; knitted make up purse and necklaces by Knitted in the Kitchen and of course Matik's lovely collection of fair trade children clothing and home textile will be there for you. And if you mention this blog you get a 15% off on all Matik's products!

MADE Jewellery - By the people, for the people

I just discovered last day in Topshop this new fair trade brand called Made that makes lovely jewellery in Kenya. They work with people from various ages and backgrounds to create beautiful products using traditional skills and fashion led design. 

They really have a fantastic range of rings, bracelets, necklaces and other accessories, mostly made from reclaimed brass, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Topshop was stocking them. 

Reading through their website I was very impressed with the work they do at local level and the ethic behind their brand. I particularly like the fact that most of the material they use is reclaim brass, which they tend to source from local individuals, at a fair price, thereby helping to both strengthen the local economy and empower small businesses; and of course reclaim brass, means that they are also super environmentally friendly. 

Basically, they tick all the boxes of a good fair trade brand and I will definitely look up to them in progressing my work with Matik.

So, if you are looking for  something beautiful, but a bit different, well check them out as they are definitely worth it.

Of course, I couldn't resist and ended up buying these gorgeous hoops earrings. Love them!!

A new market for the little ones

We are very pleased to announce that Matik has been invited to hold a stall at The Russet's new Toddler Market this Thursday 12th June from 10am to 3pm.

What a perfect time to show our beautiful collection of children clothing...the sun is shining and summer is finally in the air.

Come to choose the perfect outfit for your little ones, whether is a colourful batik piece or a flowery hand block-print, all our dresses are made with care by happy women in Ghana and India.

Is being labeled Fair Trade fair enough?

I read an article in the Observer about the instrument of fair trade and its limitations to benefit those who it’s supposed to help. The article cites research which showed that Fair Trade’s focus on the producers rather than the workers meaning that in many Fair Trade certified companies workers are paid a lower wage than those working in uncertified companies.  Not only this, but many people also do not benefit from the "community" projects supported with funds generated by the "social premium" consumers pay for Fairtrade products. 

Of course this is only one article and no doubt the Fair Trade organisation have many and sound rebuttal arguments, and I certainly don’t advocate a “don’t buy fair trade” approach, however it did serve to bring into focus some of the principles I have followed in setting up Matik. 

First and foremost, this project is about nothing if it is not about the workers. Both my partner suppliers in Ghana and in India are set up for the benefit of their workers. This is their reason for being and the trade only serves them so far as they achieve their goal of a better now and better future for the workers and their families.

What is more, I know this, because I can and have visited them, to see how they work. In fact, of course I chose them because of what they do.

So Matik means personal connection, no middle organisation, and 100% focus on the rights of workers. Could I get that with the Fair Trade endorsement? Could my customers be assured of it if they saw the label? I’m not sure that they could. And if they could not should I really be requesting my partners the time, effort, and expense necessary in acquiring a fair trade certificate? Time, effort and expense that would otherwise be spent on the projects themselves.

So these were my thought processes and this article brought them into relief. By working with few partners, we have the opportunity to know them well, spend time with them, talk to the women who make the products, find out more about their lives and what we can do to help them. Our commitment to them is also our commitment to our customers. What we find out, we will report to you. And by doing it this way I hope we will reduce a little bit the distance between who makes the product and who buys it.

My new blog!

Matik has a new blog, where i will keep you up to date on all the exciting happenings here at Matik Boutique.