Currently among the rising labels in its native Singapore, MATTER travel wear launched two years ago on the foundation of transparent sourcing and ethical production. MATTER started as an idea between Ren Yung Ho and Yvonne Suner, who are behind the helm of the young company today, while they were both working in Mexico; they aspired to create beautiful products that celebrate the rich Asian cultural heritage and textiles, while at the same time building a social business that enables the textile craft to continue as a viable industry while kindling positive impact. Their products are created thanks to the carefully selected network of designers the company works with – their expert artisan knowledge and passion for preserving their cultural heritage are complementary to the founders’ vision – and collaborates with them across a spectrum of services from textile design and print reinterpretation to product shapes and styles. We caught up with Devonne Niam and Farisia Thang from MATTER team to discuss their early beginnings, their all-the-more expanding product range and their business ethics.
How did Matter come about?
The origin story of MATTER is rooted in two main motivations: the proclivity to create beautiful products that celebrate the rich Asian cultural heritage and textiles in our region, and to build a social business that enables the textile craft to continue as a viable industry while kindling positive impact. Out of these passions, MATTER started as an idea between Ren and Yvonne while they were both working in Mexico a few years ago.
MATTER is about returning to the basics of what connects us all – our stories, craft, and values. To foster a culture grounded on provenance; encouraging consumers to uncover and value where and why something is made.
What is it about pants that led you to establish a brand upon this very garment?
We felt that pants embody the spirit of travel and adventure, and are a symbol of explorations. In the same manner, we wanted to pay tribute to the vibrant cultural heritage in our region by celebrating Asian styles and garments. With these core values in mind, we sought to create pants that carried the stories passed down from its heritage. Our MATTER pieces are also versatile as they opt for a flexible closure instead of zips that snag or rust. The pants adjust to your body, and adapt to the person who wears them and the situations they’re in.
How important is a strong story to sell a product? Could it be only an effective marketing trick currently trending?
A story implies integrity within the process; it is something that is not a trend. The journey matters, and this is rising now because people desire more connectedness from their purchases. It is such a human thing for us to want to feel connected. People resonate with the authenticity that comes with stories because it speaks to something they want to relate to.
How do you go about evolving from an all-pants brand to a full ready-to-wear label?
MATTER started as an all-pants brand because we wanted to focus on a single category around a seasonless model. Signature styles stay and fabrics rotate, and we wanted to center on innovating within the fabric medium while focusing on one product category. Pants were our approach of empowering the modern nomad, but with the production of this style we slowly came to realize that we were left with plenty of off-cut fabrics. Since an integral piece of our mission is to pioneer industry change and sustainability, this led to the decision to fully use all the beautiful artisan fabrics that we have already created, and launch the #MATTERmini series of dresses and pants. As we grew, we also took note of what our customers were saying. Many of them were interested in other styles and accessories, like tops, bags, and scarves, and so we listened and extended our range of items. However, our approach in selecting which items to include is always grounded on building timeless pieces and not to step alongside trends. We want to create pieces that you’ll love, and keep for years and years to come, regardless of trend.
What fascinates you about the cultural heritage of Eastern countries, inspiring you to spread it around the world?
It isn’t only the cultural heritage of Eastern countries that speaks to us, but the cultural heritage of all fabric techniques. It is something that unites so many different cultures; it tells the history of the world and trade, and allows multiple narratives to take hold.
For example, the tree of life is one motif that is woven in many different ways depending on the region we choose to work with. The techniques are globally dispersed, and each approach has a unique perspective to the same story – such as block-printing, which is a common craft in Japan, India, China, and Indonesia, and ikat which is in the same countries but also in Guatemala and many other places in South America. All of these places around the world share the same craft, and it’s this idea of connectedness across various communities that really speaks to us.
How are your prints developed? To what extent are you involved in the creative process?
We believe in designing from the past, and so we choose prints that already exist. We reinterpret them in terms of playing with whitespace, outlines, motif size, and repeat. It is through the lens of these stories and existing designs that we choose to understand the histories before us and reinterpret the narrative. All of our prints are created on a collaborative basis as a core value of our mission is to foster designer-artisan collaborations. Between our creative director, Hanna, our freelance designer and our artisan partner, the story is unraveled, and a product is developed.
You work with a multidisciplinary team. Based on what criteria do you choose your partnerships and affiliations?
“There is something to be learned from anyone.” And that’s the motto we go by, whether it is from how we run our daily operations to how we choose our partners.
Can your products have a second life, meaning they can be recycled and re-used?
We create our products so that they are sustainable on their own, and pass the test of time. Alongside that, we make sure the pieces are adjustable to fit you as your body changes. With a versatile wrap and multiple button closure option, the pants will be able to loosen or tighten depending on how your body changes over time. As we are only two years young, we have yet to face the challenge on whether our pants have a second life or if they can be recycled and re-used.
Have you reviewed your business model? Is it sustainable in time?
In terms of financial sustainability, it definitely is, in the sense that we are not in the industry of fast growth or scale, nor are we motivated by it. As such, our way of building a brand that will stand the test of time is in organic growth with small investments after proven milestones are met. In this manner, we also hope to fulfill our vision of transforming the artisan industry in the next ten to twenty years. The positive change and impact we create is a core part of our business, with every product we create we contribute to artisan employment hours. With each piece, we are extending the story and sharing these artisan techniques with the rest of the world.
What are you currently working on?
We are currently looking at working with other artisan partners in Thailand, Laos and other regions in Asia.
www.matterprints.com
Images © Matter
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