Chapter I — From Behind the Lens to Building Matagi
Starting over doesn’t always begin with a career shift.
Sometimes, it starts with something much deeper—something life-changing that forces you to pause, reflect, and choose a new path.
That’s how Matagi was born.
Not from strategy.
But from stillness.
From grief.
From love.
From the decision to create something meaningful—not just for myself, but for the future I want to help shape.
Before Matagi, I spent years as a creative—working in concept development and photography. I helped other people bring their stories to life. Built visuals. Crafted brands.
But there came a moment when everything shifted.
I stepped away from what I had built, moved to a new environment, and had to completely rebuild my creative work from scratch. It was uncomfortable. Uncertain. And exactly what I needed.
In that space, something began to form.
First came a community project rooted in impact and storytelling.
And eventually, it transformed into something larger:
Matagi.
I’ve spent the past year building Matagi—day and night.
Every product. Every decision. Every detail—crafted with care.
Built from the ground up.
Built with purpose.
Because Matagi isn’t just about fashion.
It’s about creating limited pieces that carry meaning—and fuel real change.
A percentage of each drop helps fund clean water, food, shelter, and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities worldwide.
It’s culture with intention.
Luxury with responsibility.
Innovation rooted in storytelling.
The name Matagi comes from the South Pacific.
In Polynesian languages, matagi means wind—a natural force that moves, clears, and transforms.
That’s what this brand is.
A fresh wind.
A new direction.
A movement born from real life—and built for the future.
"Matagi is not just what I’m building—it’s how I’m growing, healing, and creating something that can carry others forward."
This journey hasn’t been easy.
But with every step, I’ve stayed committed to purpose—and to building something that truly matters.
If you’ve found your way here, thank you.
You’re early. You matter.
And there’s space for you in this story.
— Rezon Pattipeiluhu
Founder, Matagi
A new wind is rising
