Fair Trade Fashion vs. Fast Fashion: A Look into Mata Traders

A recent blog of ours explored the rapidly growing fast fashion industry-the quick production cycle that allows companies to replicate trends and sell them at a mass scale. With approximately 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually, the environmental impact is staggering. These numbers make it clear that consumption and consumers should make a change for the better.

One brand actively working toward a better model is Mata Traders, based in Chicago. As a fair-trade fashion company, they prioritize ethical production, transparency, and long-term partnerships with artisans. Their mission is not just to create clothing, but to support livelihoods and contribute to a more responsible fashion system. At Crossroads, we proudly support and have worked with Mata Traders because their values closely align with our own.

Mata Traders is a women-owned brand that has been creating clothing and accessories since 2007. Designed in Chicago and ethically crafted in India and Nepal, the company emphasizes small-batch production as a way to support responsible manufacturing. This approach allows them to build close, long-term relationships with artisan partners while ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions.

I recently spoke with Taylor McCleneghan, the current owner of Mata Traders, about ethical business practices, fashion, and sustainability. After acquiring the company about a year ago, she brought both the experience and vision needed to further grow the brand’s ethical impact. Her focus is on expanding Mata Traders’ reach while staying true to its mission, particularly by appealing to sustainability-minded women, primarily in the 38–60 age range.

Mata Traders serves what McCleneghan describes as the “fair trade warrior”, a highly engaged and values-driven customer who is deeply supportive of ethical practices. These shoppers are loyal and intentional with their purchases, seeking out brands that align with their beliefs and finding meaning in what they wear.

That same sense of intentionality connects directly to something I’ve heard throughout my internship at Crossroads: “every little thing.” It’s a simple idea, but an important one. Choosing fair trade clothing basics, supporting ethical brands, or even declining a bag at checkout may feel small in the moment, but together, these decisions contribute to a larger shift toward a more responsible fashion industry.