Main Meal: Kayti O’Connell Carr
of MATE The Label
What began in 2015 as a side hustle selling vintage-inspired t-shirts, founder Kayti O’Connell Carr has since transformed MATE The Label into one of the fashion industry’s most beloved sustainable brands. After seeing the amount of waste throughout the production process, O’Connell Carr took action and pioneered a movement through clothing—offering non-toxic, organic, certified essentials in soft nature-toned hues. Offering everything from airy sundresses to crisp linen separates, MATE the Label empowers people to dress cleaner and in turn do better for themselves and the planet—one garment at a time.
MATE is a leader in sustainability in the fashion industry. Can you share more about the origins and why it was so important to create a line of clean, non-toxic clothing?
Building MATE has been an ever-evolving journey that looks completely different now than how it originated. I first launched the brand as a vintage inspired t-shirt company but over the years, I learned a tremendous amount about the industry’s impact on the planet and human health. The transition to being a clean, non-toxic brand all started from my own personal journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
As a mother and someone deeply invested in holistic wellness, I realized conventional clothing is typically made from synthetics—polyester, nylon, spandex—which are made from fossil fuels and shed microplastics. Also, most cotton is riddled with pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, wreaking havoc on our ecosystems. Many fabrics are also treated with harmful chemicals and dyes that can affect our skin and overall well-being. So, I set out to create a solution: a line of clothing that is not only stylish and comfortable but also safe and eco-friendly. It was about offering consumers a choice—clothes that are as kind to our bodies as they are to the planet.
Can you share more about the sustainability practices MATE the Label has put into place? What are the practices you are most proud of?
Our mission is rooted in offering the cleanest materials possible that are better for human health and the environment. We prioritize natural, organic fibers that include organic cotton, linen, hemp, and tencel. These better-for-you materials are free of pesticides, insecticides, microplastics, phthalates, BPA, and PFAS.
We take a holistic approach and consider the full lifecycle of a garment, including its end life to ensure everyone in our supply chain is not exposed to harmful chemicals. I am most proud of the deep work my team has done to execute the vision, including, implementing a strict Restricted Substance List, becoming GOTS, Climate Neutral, and B Corp certified; as well as offering a circularity program named “Detox Your Closet.” Further, our main factory partner in India is powered by 100% renewable energy and owns 40 wind turbines. They also use 100% recycled water with a closed-loop purification system.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Trust your gut, follow your intuition, and be clear on what success looks like to you because it should look different to everyone.
How do you incorporate sustainability within your own daily routines/life?
It’s important to me as a mom of a toddler (and just in general) to prioritize bringing in considered ingredients and materials into our home. We are exposed to so many harmful endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals in our daily lives through common household products—including conventional cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, beauty products, toothpaste, couches, rugs, plastic toys—so we really strive to reduce our toxic load by choosing healthier options. I truly believe that everything is connected and that human health is directly related to planetary health.
What can we expect next from MATE? What’s exciting you right now?
We are very excited about continuing to invest in innovative and regenerative bio materials. We have a couple new fibers that will debut early next year that support our philosophy of championing skin-forward fabrics. We hope to continue to lead the clean clothing movement and affect change in the industry.
