Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natalia Mazzaia (Burakowska). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Natalia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Terratela’s mission is to transform how the world values waste. We reimagine food waste into fashion —elevated essentials for people who give a damn about what they wear and how it’s made.

Terratela’s mission is deeply personal to me. I was born in Poland and immigrated to the U.S. in the early ’90s. My mother is from a farming family in Northern Poland and brought that history to our new home. She planted a large garden in our backyard, and we lived by the principle that nothing should go to waste. We cooked from the garden, pickled leftovers, reused yogurt cups to sprout seeds, and cut old t-shirts to tie up climbing plants.

After design school, I entered the fashion industry and was disheartened by the amount of waste I saw. It felt completely at odds with how I was raised. Over time, I shifted to working with sustainable brands and became passionate about textile innovation. The idea for Terratela came during a dinner with friends, I was inspired by how the food industry was embracing sustainability. I wanted to bring that same transformation to fashion—and that’s exactly what Terratela is doing today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Natalia Mazzaia .I’ve always liked the challenge of turning something flat into something real—figuring out how to build shape and structure from a simple starting point, and doing it with care and purpose. Many years ago for my senior collection in college, I used discarded linens and bedsheets to explore how overlooked materials could be reimagined. I’ve long been interested in the question: what can we create when we start with what’s already here?

Growing up as an immigrant shaped the way I approach my work today. We made the most of everything we had—nothing was wasted, and everything was stretched as far as it could go. My mother taught me early on how to find value in what others might throw away. It wasn’t always the easiest way, but it taught me resourcefulness, patience, and the importance of seeing potential where others don’t.

Over the past 15 years in the fashion industry, I’ve worked across the spectrum, from fast-fashion giants to small, sustainability-focused brands, because I wanted to understand the full landscape. I’ve touched every part of the process, from fabric sourcing and design to production and logistics. But what’s always stayed with me is the time spent in the factories, working alongside the skilled hands who actually make our clothes. Their knowledge, dedication, and quiet pride have taught me so much over the years. It’s those human moments, rooted in craft and connection, that continue to inspire and drive my work.

Terratela was built on these core values. We see possibility where others see waste, and we’re not afraid to challenge the status quo to create something better. Fashion is personal—it speaks before we do. We want our customers to feel proud of what they wear, connected to how it’s made, and inspired by the story it tells. Terratela isn’t about chasing trends or labels—it’s about standing firmly in your values and wearing them with intention.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

My background in the industry gave us a valuable starting point with many existing connections. However, our approach to manufacturing was different from what I had experienced before, which definitely brought new challenges. As a conscious brand who values transparency, it was essential for us to drill deep down and truly understand who is making the fiber of our garments – what’s known as Tier 4 in the complex fashion supply chain. Many brands only focus on Tier 1, which is garment manufacturing.

Digging this deep is a big task, especially for a small and growing brand. The industry is tough to navigate, with limited transparency and many barriers, so you have to keep reaching out persistently to get the answers you need. These insights are critical to making sure your fashion business is doing all it can.

One important lesson I learned is that even with the most trusted partners, it’s crucial to gather information upfront—before payments are made. It can take months to get clear, detailed insights, but this preparation helps move things along more smoothly. Supply chains are complex, and often even the vendors within them aren’t fully connected or informed—so navigating them takes patience, persistence, and a lot of follow-up. I also learned to approach everything with a healthy dose of skepticism: verify what you’re told, do your own research, consult multiple sources, and ask for certifications. This diligence is key to building trust and accountability in the supply chain.

Tracing a product’s full journey through manufacturing is far from easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you truly understand its origins and can share its story with confidence.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Terratela stands out because we’re doing something truly different—creating elevated essentials from food waste and other repurposed materials. It’s a new and niche idea, and naturally, people have questions: How does it work? Is it durable? What’s the impact? From day one, I knew that building trust and credibility would require deep, hands-on knowledge and so I made it my mission to learn everything I could about the processes, the suppliers, and the complexities of the supply chain.

What helped build our reputation is that we didn’t just talk about sustainability—we committed to becoming experts in this space. We asked hard questions, dug into the details, and made transparency a core part of our identity. People saw that we weren’t just riding a trend; we were leading with purpose, backed by research and a lot of hard work. That clarity and conviction is what continues to set Terratela apart in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://terratela.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopterratela
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopterratela/

Image Credits

Arlei Lima