The African Bride
January 29, 2011
: >( Unfortunately, this site is no longer live.)
The Root Gift Guide 2010
December 20, 2010
http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/roots-gift-list
New Pittsburgh Courier
By Diane Daniels
March 6, 2008
In a time when culture and heritage are playing an important role in society, Matae Reed’s goal is to educate youths through the clothing they wear.
“I design styles that help our children develop positive self-images and encourage them to take pride in their family heritage,” says Reed. “We blend the beauty and uniqueness of ethnic fabrics with modern designs.
”Utilizing fabric imported from around the world, including Senegal, Benin, Niger, and the Ivory Cost, Li’l Crumbsnatchers specializes in ethnic-inspired infant and children’s wear. The clothing allows children to make a unique fashion statement inspired by many diverse cultures. Pieces are hand-embellished with cowrie shells, beads, rhinestones and appliques for a fresh new look.
Developing an interest in sewing at a young age, Reed received her first sewing machine from her grandmother as a teenager. She attended the Clarissa School of Fashion Design and started her career tailoring special occasion clothing for adults at the Wood Street Emporium once located in Wilkinsburg.
“Tina was a great inspiration to me,” says Reed, speaking of (Tina Stevens) the owner of the former Afrocentric establishment. She says it was there where she used the smaller cuts of fabric leftover from projects to make children’s clothing. One of the first outfits she made was for her son—a jumper, jacket and cap for his first year picture. “I couldn’t believe how many people stopped us to compliment him on how handsome he looked and to inquire where they could purchase such an outfit,” remembers Reed. From that, Li’l Crumbsnatchers was born. “Those acknowledgements encouraged me to pursue children’s fashions. I realized then that there was definitely a need, a niche for children’s wear that doesn’t mimic the cookie-cutter creations found in most department stores.
”With the assistance of her mother, Li’l Crumbsnatchers was established in 1991 out of the desire for parents to add cultural touches to their child’s wardrobe. Since 2005 they have been Internet-based, but Reed admits that most of their business comes from word of mouth and referrals.
Offering ready-to-wear items, Li’l Crumbsnatchers also offers custom clothing options for weddings, parties, family/sibling photographs, graduations and special occasions.
For children interested in making a fashion statement, Reed says her sophisticated styles for boys and girls include ethnic print skirts, shorts, halters, vests, dashiki dresses, waistcoats, blazers and appliqued tees. Items from the infant collection include bubble rompers, suspender pants, shortalls and sundresses. Bibs, burp cloths, blankets and quilts are also a part of the collection. Afrocentric Moses baskets, diaper bags and baby slings fall into the baby shower line. “Vivid colors and unique fabrics of African, Asian and Indian cultures influence my designs, but I use the Western concept of fashion,” explains Reed.
The Li’l Crumbsnatchers collection is available exclusively through the company web site, www.lilcrumbsnatchers.com.
The Boston-Bay State Banner
By Christine McCall
May 5, 2006
Walking down the street in today’s society, everyone wants to make a fashion statement. Designer Matae Reed makes that happen. The culturally inspired clothing line, Li’l Crumbsnatchers, allows young children, and soon mothers, to go out in style and celebrate their ethnic heritage.
Reed attended the Clarissa School for Fashion Design in Pittsburgh and majored in design. She began her career designing custom African clothing for adults. She soon realized that designing clothes for adults was not as much fun as children. She says, “When little kids walk in a room, it is hard to ignore them.”
Reed says it was by accident that she got involved with making ethnic clothing for children. Not wanting to waste leftover material from her other projects, she decided to put it to good use and create a jumper, jacket and cap for her son’s first year photograph. Reed created Li’l Crumbsnatchers in 1991 after being inspired by compliments she received from people about the outfit she designed for her son. “I couldn’t believe how many people complimented my son’s outfit,” she said. That got the ball rolling for Li’l Crumbsnatchers. “You can’t go in a store and find something that has ethnic influence and also an American flair,” she said. “I try to combine the urban look, but then mix it with ethnic fabric, so it has the best of both worlds,” Reed said.
Fabrics for the clothing line are imported from Senegal, Benin, Niger and the Ivory Coast. The clothing is enriched with cowrie shells, beads, rhinestones, glitter and appliqués to give a unique and edgy style. For the smallest crumbsnatchers, the infant collection consists of sundresses, sweatshirts, shortalls, suspender pants and bubble rompers made with colorful African prints. Bibs, booties, burp cloths and blankets are also available.
Li’l Crumbsnatchers also carries a line for children ages 2-8 which includes a limited edition of hand-painted tee shirts, denim jeans and jackets with appliqués, African print mini skirts, cargo shorts, halter dresses and dashiki tops. Every outfit needs an accessory, so Li’l Crumbsnatchers has an array of accessories to choose from to accompany the bright colors and patterns of the culturally inspired clothing.
Handbags, head wraps, hats and beaded bracelets are a sampling of the accessories designed to compliment the ethnic styled clothing.
As far as the future of the company is concerned, Reed would like to expand the casual and formal wear lines. Reed is planning the release of a new Mommy line which is set to include dresses, hand-painted tee shirts, denim separates, tote bags and personalized name bracelets. Reed is also working on a Special Occasion line which will include formal wear for weddings, graduations, parties and family photographs. She said that she is taking her time to expand the clothing line in order to make sure all items of business are properly in place.
“Ethnic clothing is hard to come by,” Reed said. She describes her clothing line as different and edgy. “Lots of parents want that for their kids. You want something unique.” As for expansion, Reed said, “I looked into retail outlets, but it’s hard as far as productivity is concerned.” She added that she would rather stay small and be able to supervise the production of the clothing to ensure that the product is properly assembled and distributed. Reed said that sales are good right now for Li’l Crumbsnatchers. “I don’t know if it’s the warm weather or what it is,” she said. “I am glad things are picking up.”
The Pittsburgh Press
By Sylvia Sachs
October 22, 1989
Yes, that’s right! 1989!! Believe it or not, I was still in Jane Sciullo’s sewing class at Peabody High School in Pittsburgh when I got my first media coverage in an article entitled “Home Sewing Enjoys Rebirth”. I was described as one of Mrs. Sciullo’s most enthusiastic students, and had the privilege of modelling my prom gown for the newspaper. (I should be glad you can’t see the original pics because it was a rainy, BAD hair day! My wild African-American hair + a humid Spring day = Angela Davis! LOL) However, I do have the pic from the Prom wearing the aqua taffeta gown made from a Simplicity wedding dress pattern, the fingerless lace gloves (I couldn’t get the fingers right so I cut them off), and matching bag. Not bad for my first gown, huh?
The African Diaspora 