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How ‘Fecal Matter’ Became Fashion’s Most Viral Brand
The Fashion Brand With the Shocking Name: Meet Matières Fécales
ELI5 Alert: Imagine a fashion brand named "Poop Stuff" (but in fancy French) that makes angel wings for Zendaya and dresses for Lady Gaga. That’s basically the story here!
What Is Matières Fécales?
Matières Fécales (pronounced mat-yair fay-kal) is a high-end fashion house based in Paris. In English, the name literally translates to "Fecal Matter" — yes, that means poop.
But don’t let the name fool you. Their clothes are ethereal, artistic, and worn by the biggest stars on the planet.
Quick Facts
- Founders: Steven Raj Bhaskaran and Hannah Rose Dalton
- Started: As students at Collège LaSalle Montréal (over 10 years ago)
- Big Break: Selling on Depop → Paris Fashion Week → Dressing A-list celebrities
- Signature Look: Alien-chic, dramatic, "beautiful tension between finesse and decay"
Why Is It Called That?
Important Callout: The name isn’t a joke — it’s a statement.
The designers wanted to subvert beauty standards and call out the fashion industry’s waste. Here’s how they explain it:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Industry Critique | They initially used a much ruder word for how they viewed fashion. "Fecal matter" is the "scientific, glamorous" version. |
| French Sounds Fancy | Dalton told Vogue: "We translated it into French, which sounds way more glamorous." |
| Anti-Waste Message | Bhaskaran said the name challenges "the wasteful side of fashion." |
| Personal Style | The duo lives the aesthetic: shaved heads/eyebrows, white makeup, skin boots that look like real feet. |
From Student Project to Paris Runway: The Journey
1. Humble Beginnings
- Met at fashion school in Montreal
- Sold early designs on Depop (a secondhand fashion app)
- Built a cult following for their "alien" aesthetic
2. The Big Break: Dover Street Market (2024)
- Met president Adrian Joffe backstage at a Madonna show
- DSM (a legendary global concept store) took them under their wing
- Provided production, distribution, and sales support
3. Official Paris Fashion Week Debut
- 2023: "The Other" collection — ode to fearless identity
- Collab with Christian Louboutin (their curved heel + his red sole)
- 2024: "The One Percent" — power, money, protest
- Models wore dollar-bill eye masks and red-painted opera gloves
- Stark contrast to billionaire-packed front rows at other shows
Who’s Wearing It?
The celebrity roster reads like a Met Gala guest list:
| Celebrity | Occasion | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Zendaya | Odyssey premiere (NYC) | Strapless white gown with feathered wings — styled by Law Roach |
| Lady Gaga | 2026 Grammys | High-neck black feathered gown ("dark angel" vibe) |
| Sarah Paulson | 2024 Met Gala | Gray distressed ball gown + money eye mask |
| Demi Moore | Cannes Film Festival | Barbie-pink "cupcake" gown with distressed bow — first time in 20 years she wore full volume! |
| Kylie Jenner | Dunkin’ TV ad | Blush-pink structured blazer with massive shoulder pads |
| Gabbriette Bechtel | Wedding to Matty Healy | Custom distressed Victorian dress — brand’s first wedding gown |
Stylist Brad Goreski says:
"There’s this beautiful tension in their work between the finesse and the decaying, and the strong and the soft. They’re designing for themselves — that’s authentically them, but they’re bringing it to a whole other audience."
Why Fashion Insiders Are Obsessed
1. They Built a Whole World
"What they built in such a small time is insane — world-building, storytelling."
— Augustin Maunier, Dover Street Market
2. They’re Actually Different
"Chanel and Dior start to blend together. This feels like its own category. You can’t replicate it."
— Kristen Bateman, fashion writer
3. Freedom Is the Core
"At their very core: absolute freedom of expression. They push the boundaries of what is human."
— Milan Tanedjikov, their former teacher
What’s Next?
- Next Paris Fashion Week show: September 2024
- Expanding beyond red carpets: Ads (Dunkin’), weddings, everyday(?) wear
- Industry rooting for them: "Younger designers who have something to say." — Hanan Besovic (@Ideservecouture)
Summary: The Poop-Named Brand That’s Actually Heavenly
| What | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Name: Matières Fécales (Fecal Matter) | Bold critique of fashion waste + French makes it sound chic |
| Founders: Bhaskaran & Dalton | Alien aesthetic + total creative freedom |
| Rise: Depop → DSM → Paris FW → A-list | Rare speed + authenticity |
| Vibe: "Finesse meets decay" | Uncopyable, storytelling-driven, boundary-pushing |
| Now: Dressing Zendaya, Gaga, Moore, Jenner | From cult weirdo to cultural force |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Is "Matières Fécales" really French for "Fecal Matter"?
Yes. Matières = materials/matter, Fécales = fecal. The designers chose it on purpose — first as a vulgar critique, then "glamorized" it in French.
2. Do people actually say the full name out loud?
Mostly no. Industry folks say "Matières" (mat-yair) or "MF." But the shock value is the point — it forces conversation.
3. Are the clothes wearable, or just art?
Both. They make showpieces (wings, money masks) and structured blazers, gowns, heels worn in real life (Cannes, Grammys, a Dunkin’ ad!).
4. Why did Dover Street Market pick them up?
DSM bets on original voices early. They saw a fully formed universe — not just clothes, but narrative, identity, performance — and gave them infrastructure to scale.
5. Can I buy their clothes?
Yes — but it’s exclusive. Sold via Dover Street Market (stores + online) and select high-end retailers. Prices are luxury-level (think: thousands per piece).
Final Thought: A brand named after poop just dressed an angel (Zendaya), a dark angel (Gaga), and a pink cupcake (Demi Moore) — all in one year. Fashion is weird. And that’s exactly why this works.
