Mata Traders
Earrings, necklaces and dresses made by fair trade cooperatives in India and Nepal, from a Chicago brand started by three friends.
- Fair trade
- Member of Fair Trade Federation
- Made in
- India, Nepal
- Based in
- Chicago, Illinois
Vetted by The Labour Movement · last reviewed October 2026 · How we vet brands
Mata Traders works directly with fair trade cooperatives in India and Nepal to create good jobs, with fair pay, profit sharing and benefits.
The story
Three best friends, including Maureen Dunn, started Mata Traders in Chicago, where it's still based. Mata is the Hindi word for mother.
The brand works directly with five fair trade cooperatives in India and Nepal. Artisans are paid by the piece at a living wage that Mata Traders says is well above the local minimum, with profit sharing on top. The cooperatives offer health care, daycare, scholarships, paid maternity leave, retirement pensions, and literacy and computer classes.
Dunn visits the cooperatives each year. Mata Traders is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
-
Stacked Sunra Earrings Gold
Regular price $32.00 USDRegular price -
Astral Point Studs Gold
Regular price $36.00 USDRegular price -
Stacked Sunra Earrings Silver
Regular price $32.00 USDRegular price -
Matisse Leaf Earrings - Amber
Regular price $28.00 USDRegular price -
Nikita Dress - Emerald
Regular price $127.00 USDRegular price$149.00 USDSale price $127.00 USDSale -
Makrana Earrings Marble
Regular price $36.00 USDRegular price -
Sol Stud Earrings - Silver
Regular price $32.00 USDRegular price -
Piccadilly Earrings - Vermillion
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Clay Pearl Earrings - Saffron
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Piccadilly Earrings - Chartreuse
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Matisse Wire Earrings - Silver
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Matisse Wire Earrings - Gold
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Oblong Hoop Earrings - Blue
Regular price $30.00 USDRegular price -
Mani Studs - Silver
Regular price $32.00 USDRegular price -
Eye to Eye Bangle - Silver
Regular price $26.00 USDRegular price -
Jude Resin Earrings - Multi
Regular price $32.00 USDRegular price
Shop more like Mata Traders
Every fair trade category with Mata Traders products, alongside other vetted brands.
Clothing
Shop all Clothing →
More to explore
Brands like Mata Traders
Matr Boomie
Jewelry, home decor and gifts handmade by more than 2,000 artisans across India and designed by a team in Austin, Texas.
Shop Matr Boomie →
Passion Lilie
Women's clothing designed in New Orleans and made in India with handwoven ikat, hand block prints and organic cotton.
Shop Passion Lilie →
Starfish Project
Handmade jewelry from Starfish Project, a social enterprise in Asia that employs women leaving exploitation and trafficking.
Shop Starfish Project →
About Mata Traders
Is Mata Traders fair trade?
Yes. Mata Traders is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which screens whole businesses against nine fair trade principles before accepting them. The Labour Movement also vetted it before listing it, and we review every brand each year.
Who makes Mata Traders jewelry and clothing?
Artisans at five fair trade cooperatives in India and Nepal that Mata Traders works with directly. The pieces on The Labour Movement are made in India.
What does Mata mean?
It's the Hindi word for mother.