Printed Skirt and Denim Vest

As much as I love Beyonce, I was never as obsessed with her as the rest of the entire world seemed to be. I decided it must be because her image was so perfect – almost like a goody-two shoes, who also woke up looking flawless – her image was almost manufactured and not authentic to me. But after reading her touching speech after she won the CFDA Fashion Icon award, I’d say she’s about as real as it gets. You can read the whole speech transcribed here, but one part that stood out to me was how she recalls for years being an outsider in the fashion world, that when Destiny’s Child just started out, high-end labels did not want to dress ‘four black, country, curvy girls’ and since they couldn’t afford to buy couture gowns at the time, her mother and uncle would sew their clothes. The way she felt when she wore these amazing gowns that had jewels hand-sewn in them, made her feel powerful and beautiful, and gave her confidence.

She goes on to say ‘to me this is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength.’

The skirt I’m wearing by Mata Traders is another testament to the power that fashion can have, in this case the power to change lives for people around the world for the better. The company was started by three friends who wanted to make beautiful fair-trade clothing. Essentially they work with Artisans in India and Nepal, empowering them to earn an income using their skills and talents. I recently visited Mata Traders headquarters in Chicago for a meeting with a group of bloggers with an interest in promoting ethical fashion brands. There are tons of companies doing great work and I’m excited to continue to feature them here on the blog. I hope you take a moment to check out their store, and also check out my Ethical Companies List for more brands to shop with a conscience.

Thanks for visiting as always xx