Inder Bedi Of Matt & Nat
[ 4 March 2009 ]
I was introduced to Matt & Nat a little while ago by some clued-up nonpareils! After mentioning their company on my site, my friend made an introduction, & gave me the opportunity to ask Inder, the director of Matt & Nat, a few questions about his business, his vision & why he does what he does! I thought you might be introduced in hearing about his point of view, so without further ado…
Name: Inder Bedi
Age: 35
Location: Montreal
What is Matt & Nat’s vision?
We aim to strike that delicate balance between being fashionably creative and innovative while being conscious of our choices affect our environment and all its beings.
I heard a rumour that Matt & Nat’s very earliest beginnings came from a personal dare to go without animal products for 30 days! Obviously that month had a major impact on you. How did those 30 days begin to reshape your life into what it is today?
Those 30 days totally changed my life! Was asked by a priest to go vegetarian for 30 days when I was 18. It ended up sticking after the 30 days, learned more about vegetarianism, animal rights and eventually went vegan. Led to me to write a business plan in university (for a class I tried not to take!) as a frustrated vegan consumer that wanted items that were eco/vegan but still innovative and sexy, this led to the founding of M&N.
What is the creative process like for you? What are the steps between an idea in your head & a bag on someone’s shoulder? Do you work alone or with a team? Do you design with a certain type of person in mind?
We have a great design team of 4 including myself. We basically soak in everything out there from music to architecture to art to interesting things that inspire us in travels along with some trends in terms of colors, bag styles and then come up with our own thing, that hopefully stands out amongst everything else out there.
Like to describe our customer put there as someone ‘who is looking for more’, going beyond traditional demographics. Innovation is a big focus for us as well. All of our linings are currently made out of 100% recycled water bottles that look like suede.
Who would you love to see rocking Matt & Nat style?
The Dalai Lama! Ha!
What are the biggest challenges you face?
We are distributed in some great stores which is the tough part in terms of ‘breaking in’ in our industry. The challenge now is to ensure that consumers who pick up the brand also know what it stands for as when they do find out, it’s a great bonus, awareness is now key for us…
What is your absolute favourite thing about what you do?
The first would be the creativity aspect whether it’s a new material, new style or new hardware etc., when you work weeks on a style and it finally turns out the way you want and you know it’s going to be HOT, it’s very rewarding!
The other are the emails we get from customers who thank us for creating a product that they not only love to rock but also appeals to their inner spirit, also very rewarding :)
Can you tell us any secrets about your next range?
We’re stepping up the recycled water bottles and taking them on the outside shells of the bags, a suede collection for women and felt for men, both made completely out of recycled water bottles
What is Samsara all about? Curious minds want to know!
Samsara (rebirth in Sanskrit) are the younger siblings to M&N (Sam et Sara), the price points will be more entry level. For each bag sold we will donate $1 to a charity through an interactive web site where consumers can actually go and choose where the money goes. Will launch in Canada for spring and the U.S for fall.
What hints would you give to people who want to become more eco-conscious, but don’t know where to begin?
There are several sites that offer starter kits for vegetarians as I’m sure there are for people who want to be more green. Goveg.com offers some great starter kits and stats on the environmental benefits of going veg. Guess the key is initially making little changes in your life and building from there.
Tell us which other companies you find inspiring & why.
Love it when companies find a way to show you that you can be fashionably fierce and still have a higher conscious… Fisker Rama (ex designer for BMW, Aston martin) just designed an electric car that is a piece of art… it’s a pretty materialistic example but is damn beautiful!
Who is your favourite author?
Don’t really have one, currently reading The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.
What’s in heavy rotation on your headphones this week?
My sales manager turned me on to trentemoller, wicked stuff…
If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be & what would you serve?
I would invite YOU and serve you a bigger mac and mac n’cheese catered from Madelaines. Staying in L.A. this week and had dinner there last night, one of the best vegan restos I’ve had the pleasure of dining at…
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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Montreal, represent! :D love it. They have sales near my work every summer!
beautiful bags! but at the risk of sounding ignorant if they aren’t leather what materials are they made of??
I nearly bought a new Sam Sera purse this weekend. It is beautiful! Matt and Natt are the sh*T! Ohhh and even better is that they are Canadian!
I love this article Gala! I’m a huge Matt & Nat fan! Honestly, now that you own a M&N bag, you’ll never go back!
@Sal, I am sure Gala will fill you in, but I want EVERYONE to know that my Matt and Natt wallet is ABUSED and looks like new! I am just not sayin that either.
You should definitely go to Madeleine’s Bistro in Tarzana, it is amazing! And Juliano’s in Santa Monica, and Rawvolution- also in Santa Monica. And Au Lac and Cru! Good lord! So much good food in California.
Wait, you’re in NoCal- must go to Cafe Gratitude and Cafe Soulstice!
Have a blast! xoxo
I bought a Matt and Nat coin purse 4 years ago when I was living in vancouver. I loved the little statement that is printed on the inside of it and found reading more about the company here to be really interesting… back then I had no idea that the product was so innovative and vegan! I love it even more now and just wish I could get my hands on one of their bags here in Australia!
i’m glad you finally touched on this subject, as i’ve felt conflicted about the contradictory nature of your being a vegan & still choosing to support the leather industry. what are your views on this?
in any case, i hope that more companies like this will grow & offer a wider selection to those of us who refuse to be accomplice to cruelty! god bless!
piile — I’m not a strict vegan. I really just do what I can when I can. & I’ve always said I’ll never give up leather shoes ;D
Gala, that plaque in the first photo is amazing? Is it something to do with Matt and Nat? I want one ! :D
Thanks for this article – the bags look gorgeous.
It’s good to see something related to veganism on your site, Gala.
hmmmm and let me guess they gave you that free bag so in return you’d write an article advertisment for them
I don’t think its bad to advertise on vegan bags ;)
I heared about the company before but i didn’t knew they were Canadian! Wow good news as i’m going to move to the country, i can get my hands on one easier hihi.
I really like the way that they make fashionable vegan bags in lovely colours i wish it was just a tad more affordable for me, i like the simple line of Samsara but i miss the bright colours.
Is there a website with some more information about vegan bags in general?
Yesh!
514 (Montreal) represent!
I love their bags! Almost all my friends have at least one of them, and I adore them. I just want to peeet… and hug… and weaaar…
Okay, enough from me.
Awesomeness! I love hearing about new, stylish eco-friendly products! I feel that products like this are finally starting to be taken seriously- people are being shown that being environmentally conscious about fashion doesn’t have to mean wearing tie-dyed hessian sacks! Thanks for sharing!
Like you, I’m not strict on the vegan thing, but something is better than nothing isn’t it? :)
I’m loving all the eco friendly fashion items that are being made these days! It’s a good thing. I’m actually going to be selling (hopefully,lol) my own recycled fabric bags soon, but making them out of recycled water bottles is something else – I have no idea how that works but WOW!
stephanie – i think it’s fine if Gala gets free products in return for mentioning them on the site, this blog is her full time job and this is how she makes money. The bag is beautiful and it’s not like she’s advertising pepsi, AIG insurance, or some other huge corporation that doesn’t need her assistance. If she wants to mention a smaller company in return for a completely sexy addition to her accessory collection then all the power to her. also, please don’t feel like i’m attacking you, i’m sure you’re good people :)
Also, Canada represent!
stephanie — I often write about companies I like to help them get some visibility or more web traffic or whatever, in the same way that I write about my friends art projects & blogs etc. Sometimes people give me things, sometimes they don’t, but regardless, I will only ever write about things I find interesting & that provide you guys with some value! I think Inder is a cool guy & I like the way he thinks, & thought that was worth sharing. So I hope that answers your question ;>
I love me some Matt and Nat :) I got my first bag from them this past Xmas and I am never ever going to go back!! For those who asked, the saying thats printed on the wall, its printed in and on every single purse they sell. Which makes me super happy because it really inspires me. I am a vegan and have given up leather….so this is a really beautiful high end way to still look stylish without feeling that I am supporting the leather/meat industry.
M&N bags have been stylish staples for a lot of Vancouverites in the last few years—glad to see them get more international exposure via the blogosphere! Great interview, Gala. :)
Wow, I really admire what they’re doing! Not to mention those bags are smokin’.
Lovely bags! Thanks so much for featuring them. I only wish there were vegan shoes available that were as chic and stylish. Gala-gals (and pals): any recommendations for fabulous non-animal shoes that are available online? (Hope you don’t mind me asking, Gala). X
Oooo happy day! The first Matt & Nat I bought was in Montreal, I had missed the bus and ended up waiting in front of this little boutique, went in and found the bag of my dreams and insta-splurged… and it has been love ever since – one per season – that is my deep deep love!
smooches!