Creativity, culture with a touch of sustainability

IN a world increasingly embracing sustainable fashion and seeking the re-emergence of cultural heritage, Matapee Designs stands as a vibrant, creative mixture of sustainability, innovation, and tradition.

Inspired by the rich tapestry of Guyana’s Indigenous cultures and the passion of its founders, Matapee Indigenous Patterns transforms ancient tribal designs into modern, eco-friendly garments and accessories. “We wanted to bring back these lovely patterns that Indigenous people paint on their skin and put it differently in garments,” says co-founder Katia Fitzpatrick. Matapee Designs offers a unique blend of style, sustainability, and cultural pride.

The women behind Matapee Indigenous Patterns are cousins Katia Fitzpatrick and Thaissa Aulicio. Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine from her home in Brazil, Katia shared that Matapee Designs began as a simple endeavour to reintroduce the culture they both grew up with.

Born and raised in Region Nine of Guyana, Katia says her tradition and appreciation for culture ran deep from a very early age. “I grew up in Lethem, and my grandparents inspired this project. My grandmother was Patamona, and my grandfather was Makushi, so their stories deeply influenced me,” she said.

A dentist by profession, Katia says that since Matapee Designs was launched just a few months ago, the traction has been unprecedented. September 2024 saw the duo take a big leap in first showcasing their designs during Guyana’s Heritage Month celebrations. Since then, the idea, with its intricate designs, has taken off, with demand so high that new mom Katia has yet to return to her job as a dentist. “I’m a dentist by profession, but this project has become so demanding and fulfilling that I haven’t returned to dentistry since its launch,” she said.

Countless people throughout Guyana and Brazil have been supporting Matapee Indigenous Patterns. Katia believes it is more than the fact that the designs are eye-catching; they are a beautiful, sustainable representation of a culture that runs throughout South America. “We are producing lovely dresses or garments because we are producing for males as well, with Indigenous patterns. Our brand incorporates not only Guyanese patterns but also South American ones,” said Katia. With bright colours and fascinating designs, it’s not hard to see why so many people are drawn to Matapee Designs.

The patterns are not random; they were inspired by Katia’s and Thaissa’s family and their own cultural experiences. “We wanted to bring back all these lovely patterns that Indigenous people paint on their skin and put it differently in garments,” she said. Talking to the Pepperpot Magazine via phone, Katia shared that even the name Matapee was chosen to reflect the core of the project: tradition. “We chose the name Matapee because it’s used by, if not all, 99% of Indigenous people to produce their food.”

Matapee Indigenous Patterns would not have been the same if not for its eco-friendly factor. Although there are a number of cultural-themed businesses and clothing brands, Katia and Thaissa take it a step further by ensuring that their products are biodegradable. “The fabric we use is mostly linen because it’s eco-friendly, recyclable, and comfortable. People appreciate the modern style and the hand-painted details.”

Katia further added, “We also design eco-bags made of 100% cotton and hand-paint them, creating a sustainable mindset among our clients.” The duo also has plans to develop more eco-friendly products. As Katia shared, “We’re planning to turn tin bottles into fridge magnets to show that sustainability can extend beyond garments.”

The business has been steadily growing, but there were and still are a number of challenges the Matapee brand has faced, with the biggest being the availability of information. “One of the biggest difficulties was finding information about our roots. Each shape can belong to many tribes and mean different things, so a lot of thought and study goes into our designs,” Katia said.

A lot of creativity and hard work goes into each Matapee design as well, with each piece hand-painted, ensuring that each item is unique. “It takes a lot of time—some dresses take three to four days to be finished because everything is hand-painted,” said Katia.

Katia and Thaissa are champions for the preservation of culture and would like to see cultural roots represented through modern means. “I think today we’re losing the Indigenous rawness, the identity.” She further added, “Listening to stories from my grandparents about how they lived in their tribes inspired us to bring awareness to the richness of Indigenous culture.” Currently, both Katia and Matapee Designs are located in Brazil, and shipments are being made to Guyana. Moving forward, the duo would like to change that, with hopes of gaining a permanent location in Guyana. “The next step for Guyana would be opening a physical store because many people want to see the garments in person,” said Katia.

As Matapee Indigenous Patterns looks to expand its reach beyond Guyana, with plans for a European debut and a local Georgetown store, customers can reach out to them through their vibrant social media space for their own unique piece of culture.

“Matapee has gone from dream to reality. Matapee is helping to create a space of appreciation and visibility for cultures. It’s a unique opportunity to educate, inspire, and promote change, contributing to a future that is more inclusive and respectful of our country’s cultural diversity,” shares co-founder Thaissa Aulicio.

In every hand-painted pattern and eco-friendly fabric, Matapee Designs tells a story—a story of identity and artistry that is as timeless as it is inspiring.