Mata Traders clothing is made with care by two women’s cooperatives in India that employ over 600 economically disadvantaged artisans. Both groups are democratically structured organizations that provide benefits like childcare, annual medical check-ups, overtime pay, and retirement plans. Women members come from rural, tribal, and urban slum areas and have little or no work skills when they join the co-ops. All are subsisting below the poverty line and work to earn extra income for their families. Every chain in the production process is completely managed by the women, and many become socially and politically active in their larger communities.

Block Printing - Traditional methods of fabric production have existed in India since the 12th century. Only in the last 30 years, with the shift of garment production to the factory, has the industry seen drastic changes. 

At first factory-made fabrics were more expensive than hand-made ones – a fashion that only the rich could enjoy. Eventually though, they became cheaper and more competitive in the marketplace than their hand-made counterparts.   This has had major ramifications for block printers and weavers though out India.  Finding themselves out of a job, many have had to turn to other more menial forms of work to support their families and the artisan skills that have been passed on for generations are becoming lost.

Withstanding the stiff market competition, there are still several small and active groups of traditional fabric producers throughout India.  It is the goal of Mata Traders to help sustain these communities by using hand-woven, block-printed fabrics in our clothing line.  In this age of globalization and fast-paced technology, we are proud that our fabrics contain a history and preserve an art.  We believe you will feel and see the difference.