N4 Mummy wears Madia and Matilda
Since watching The True Cost movie, I have been more mindful about the clothes I buy, asking questions such as: Will this last? Who made my clothes? What’s the environmental impact of the clothes I buy? So to spend a day with the lovely Shalize Nicholas, founder of Madia & Matilda, was quite frankly a relief. For those of you that don’t know, Madia & Matilda is a sustainable fashion brand; they use one-off precious textiles, defective and recycled fabrics for their collections. Also garments that have been sent to textile recycling centres, and end of roll fabrics that would have otherwise been wasted and thrown into landfill sites. Importantly, all their clothes are made here in the UK in their studio in Nailsworth, so transparency isn’t an issue! So essentially I had a guilt free day of shopping.
For the past month Madia & Matilda have had a pop up shop on Kings Street in the heart of Stroud, so I went along to have a look and have a quick catch up with Shalize:
Q: So how does your pop up shop work?
We have our collection here in a selection of sizes 10, 12 and 14, and then when people come in they can try on the style and if they want to buy it we then make it for them in their size; this takes about seven days.
selection from ss15
Q: What’s been the response from the public?
Our pop up shop has been a great success! In keeping with our sustainable policy, we’ve started offering an alterations service for which I’ve been amazed at the demand. People come in bringing us both pre-loved items and also new garments that they need altering. We charge £8 for a hem and then prices increase according to the work needed. We have two seamstresses working with us, and occasionally I jump in to help. Our workshop is here in the shop, so people can see exactly what happens to their clothes. I think this makes it feel so much more real.
Whilst I was there, I met Abbie one of the seamstresses. Born and bred in Stroud she is a great example of how Shalize is using Madia & Matilda to develop sewing skills in the UK. Abbie was taught to sew by her Grandma, who owns and has run the local sewing shop in Stroud, but she has furthered her skills through working for Shalize.
Q: So what can we expect from Madia & Matilda’s AW15 collection?
Naturally the colours are much darker and rustic, and the pieces have a cosy and lived in feel. The 70’s is having an influence as I am playing with higher necklines, wrap skirts, plaid checks and also some velvet for an evening wear range. I am also adding some Victoriana detailing, with frilly cuffs and necklines. We have also starting to create a basics range using this jersey linen fabric. The fabric is new, but because it is a natural fabric, and therefore biodegradable, it is sustainable. We hope to then run our basic lines through each season.Q: What else is in the pipeline?
sneak preview of aw15
We’re now stocked on the Independent Boutique, and we are currently planning something exciting with Clotho London, an online fashion exchange brand, so watch this space!
I had great fun trying on the collections!
To buy clothes and for more information please go to www.madiamatilda.co.uk