Is Your Clothing Made Right?
Meet Matt Noren. A twenty-three year old fashion designer from New York City, who graduated from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Today, he is the owner of ClothingMadeRight, an eco-conscious and fabulous fashion company that he created because of his interest in tying together his love for design and his passion for going green. SHEI had the opportunity to talk with Matt about his fashion and environmental inspirations.
SHEI: What is Clothingmaderight and why did you create it?
M.N.: Clothingmaderight is a green fashion company devoted to providing its customers with consciously produced, organic clothing through an easy-to-use, service-heavy website. I created CMR to provide young professionals with a more progressive alternative to the mass-market clothing and retail experiences currently out there.
SHEI: Have you always loved fashion?
M.N.: I’ve always loved dressing well. Since my early teens, I’ve found myself enjoying the finer and more subtle details of the day: a well-fitting jacket, colorful tie and high-quality dress shirt. As I’ve dug deeper and deeper into CMR I’ve gained an even greater appreciation to how fashion can improve everyone’s day.
SHEI: Who do you think is the most creative fashion designer out there right now?
M.N.: For the past few years I’ve really looked up to Paul Smith. He and I both share a deep fascination with the arts as well as how high fashion can be incorporated into parts of everyday life. Also, from a purely aesthetic level, through Paul Smith I’ve developed my now innate desire for anything with great-fitting with stripes!
SHEI: Where do you find your inspiration for CMR?
One of CMR's many striped shirts
M.N.: My initial inspiration for CMR’s current line of organic striped sweaters came from watching an Andre Techine film, Wild Reeds. In it, a young man wears a bright, colorfully striped t-shirt. I loved how youthful and exciting he looked in it. From there, I decided I wanted to do pieces that had a more professional look yet maintained the same youthful aesthetic. The result was long-sleeve striped sweaters fit for a professional setting.
SHEI: Where do you see CMR in a year from now?
M.N.: In a year from now, I see CMR carrying a full line of organic menswear including sport coats, suits, dress shirts, tees, jeans and trousers. I want to build the place for young professionals to buy clothing that reflects who they are and what they value.
SHEI: What is your favorite part about running CMR?
M.N.: My favorite part of running CMR is meeting fabulous people. I’ve been blessed to meet other young artists, entrepreneurs, writers and editors– all people who are striking it out on their own and making their dreams come true.
SHEI: What is it like living in New York City as a young artist?
M.N.: Living in NYC is a dream. I wanted to move here as a young kid because I knew it’s where I would meet other like-minded individuals who were excited to get up and make something of themselves. I don’t think there’s any other place in the world I could do what I do. Plus, being able to live, work and play 24 hours a day every day is the best!
SHEI: Were you always interested in organic clothing?
M.N.: My interest in organic clothing grew out of my interest in building green and sustainable businesses. I’ve always had a desire to change the status quo. I believe that if we’re going to survive on this planet, we have to think globally as well as environmentally. For me, organic clothing is one of the first steps in living out this practice.
SHEI: What else do you like to do for the environment?
Matt and friends on October 24th at the CMR Launch Party in the Upper East Side of Manhattan
M.N.: I aim to always consider the environment in all the choices I make. I live in a small apartment with just the bare essentials. Most of my furniture is second hand or found. I buy shoes that can be resoled, I take public transportation almost everywhere I go, and I always buy locally produced, non-processed food. I believe that if everyone begins to take steps towards minimizing their carbon impact and reducing their waste, we’ll slowly begin to move towards an eco-conscious, global world. I think it’s going to take a long time, but am very excited to see that it’s beginning to happen in corners both large and small around the world. In twenty years, the world is going to be a much different place and I hope we make it one that considers the environment and our impact in all choices we make.
