MATTER’s Co-founder Renyung Ho believes that there is a story in everything and everyone around us. Doyenne.sg finds out how she creates comfortable, versatile travel wear – with stories to tell.
MATTER turns only two years old this May, but walk along the streets and you will see adventurous and confident women of all shapes and sizes, dressed in MATTER’s iconic pants and ready to take on the world.
Doyenne: Why did you start MATTER?
Ren: Looking back, it feels like MATTER was a natural culmination of all my endeavours and experiences. It was a next logical step.
I’ve always loved connecting ideas and concepts, and creating a platform for opportunity. It just so happened that the timing was right for me to combine my love for travel and cultural stories.
I went with that window of opportunity, followed every lead, refused to give up, and that was the beginning of MATTER.
“We did not want MATTER to be a fashion label so we focused on making the best possible product in styles tested by time. “
D: Have you faced any challenges in the fashion industry?
R: When you say fashion, people tend to think about runways, catwalks, luxury and fast fashion brands. We did not want MATTER to be a fashion label so we focused on making the best possible product in styles tested by time.
There are lots of challenges, but the reception and support received has been very encouraging. We’ve made strides in articulating our mission and expanded our product range beyond pants.
Right now, we are just focused on doing what we do well, understanding more about why our customers love us, and building wider artisanal relationships beyond India. MATTER has only been around for two years, and we are still taking baby steps.
D: How does wearing MATTER’s pants increase a female’s confidence?
R: Basically, there is a story in everything and everyone around us. When you love what you wear for a multitude of reasons, whether it is colour, print, fabric, or the process of how they were made and what it stands for, you will feel confident.
At MATTER, wearing pants with confidence is about how you wear it, and why you’ve chosen to wear a particular piece on a particular day.
Each print, colour and quality of fabric is unique. The pants are made for freedom of movement, emphasising comfort without sacrificing style. For example, their intentional flexible closures mean you can wear them high or low, depending on your mood.
“I truly believe that there is something to learn from everyone around you. You just have to look at the people close to you and listen to the stories they have to tell. “
D: What is one misconception about #pantstoseetheworldin that people have?
R: That you can only wear them in Bali. Or that only skinny people can wear them. Clearly not, as seen in our #completeconfidence series!
D: Your proudest moment at MATTER?
R: Walking along the streets and seeing people in MATTER products is always our proudest moment. We also love hearing a customer tell us a story about why they love their pants and how they connected them to something else.
Or feeling connected to a complete stranger through MATTER. It is always endlessly inspiring to know that they share our values and mission.
I truly believe that there is something to learn from everyone around you. You just have to look at the people close to you and listen to the stories they have to tell.
D: If you didn’t start MATTER, what will you be doing?
R: Thinking about starting MATTER.
MATTER is a socially motivated lifestyle brand creating travel wear with stories to tell. Free worldwide shipping for #pantstoseetheworldin. Search #mattertribe for more travel inspirations.
Photo credits: MATTER
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