Holiday Gift Guide 2018: For every type of girl! 

This year, don't stress about her gift - we're here for you!!! Does she love comfy?  Does she love practical?  Eco-friendly?  A brand that gives back to her community?  You've come to the right place!

Now, let us simply guide you down the direction that seems most like "her". 

We are SO SURPRISED!!!  Theknot.com recently featured MADI Apparel in this article featuring top bridal intimates brands: 

30 Pretty Wedding and Honeymoon Lingerie Looks for Every Bride

Shop our biggest markdown sale of the season!  Sale ends 11/26 at midnight.

Have you tried our BAMBOO products?  Made from natural organic fabric spun + knit from long, strong, soft, eco-friendly fibers, machine washable and derived from the pulp of the fastest growing plant in the world.

MADI Apparel social entrepreneur founder Hayley Besheer Santell makes the cover of HERLIFE Magazine's Made in KC September 2018 Issue.  HERLIFE Magazine is a full color publication with the mission of Keeping Women Connected.

As you guys know, once the sustainable fabric we source hits our door, ALL production - from the design process to cut and sew - is Made in Kansas City... by women...right in the city we're headquartered!  Pretty badass, huh???

For our upcoming collection, we decided to do something we've never done before - collaborate with a local Kansas City Maker, Alyx Jacobs to HAND DYE our fabrics with INDIGO!

Have it on your calendar to make your first trip (or 10th) to MADI Apparel for some comfy cozy intimates?  Why not make a day of it and get to know our neighborhood, The Westside, at the same time?!

We opened our flagship store in Westside, KC almost four years ago -- where has the time gone??  We just love our little gem of a neighborhood "on the hill" and we want to share our favorite local spots with you! 

Where is the Westside? : Tucked mostly up on the hill just west of the Crossroads and about 1/2 mile east of the West Bottoms, this neighborhood also stretches down the hill to the Boulevard - heading east toward Kansas City, Kansas.

What's unique about the Westside? : Its historically diverse, multicultural latino and mexican-american influences.  Nationally ranked restaurants and the cutest little local businesses make our neighborhood truly special.  Everything is local up here - no chains :).  We like to say --> #WESTSIDEistheBESTSIDE!

Want to spend a whole day over here?  We're listed a few of our favorite things to do and places to stop when you come to our neck of the woods!   

Breakfast

ChezElle(Facebook) 

Start the morning off on a high note! Stop by Goat Hill Coffee & Soda. Here you can get artisanal coffee that will change your life and give you energy for the rest of the day. If you’re not a coffee person? They also offer tea and homemade sodas! For food you can head over to the cute Parisian themed cafe across the street! Chez Elle Creperie has crepes ranging from savory to sweet, and they also have breakfast ones. Those paired with coffee make the perfect start to any day.

Shopping

After breakfast, head down the block east toward the garage door on the north side of the block and hop into the Calico Beard & Mercantile - a hair salon + local goods mercantile!  We love the jewelry the most, beautifully displayed in the most stunning glass cases :).  After you're all jeweled up, walk to the corner of 17th and Summit and visit Westside Storey!  Shop for the ever classic Charlie Hustle KC Heart shirts, hats and even vintage decor for your home. And don’t forget us!  Further down the street at 1659 Summit is our KC flagship store, MADI Apparel!  Stop in, say hi and pick up a pair of locally made intimates that are mind blowingly soft.  Products range from $33-$98.

 

Lunch

Westside Local(Facebook)

Hit up the Westside Local for lunch - next door to MADI Apparel!   We share a backyard space with them and they are so sweet and cool that they even grow their own herbs and products in the back yard + greenhouse.  I would suggest the mac and cheese because, HAVE MERCY, it is amazing. So is everything else on their menu, you really can't go wrong. Two doors down south of us is Los Alamos Market Y Cantina. Stop here for authentic Mexican food and some of the most delicious and flavorful tacos KC has to offer all served up by a friendly staff. They've been in business for 17 years - WOAH!

^^ After lunch, stroll back down to 17th street and head two blocks west to the Mattie Rhodes Art Center.  Their goal is to educate the community about Latino culture and traditions through the visual arts -- check out one of their exhibits or attend an event!

Dinner and Drinks

Boulevard Brewery(Facebook)

On the outskirts of the Westside is the KC favorite Boulevard Brewery. Stop in to their Beer Hall and try one of their 30 on tap beers. You can also get one to go in their 32 oz crowlers and take home one of there test beers! Then for dinner you can head over to Ponak's Mexican Kitchen and get some awesome Mexican food that will be perfect end to your day.

Enjoy your Tour De Westside!

 Choosing bamboo as the fabric for MADI Apparel took time and consideration. We wanted a fabric that was eco-friendly and sustainable so that it would last not only those who purchase them but also the women we donate to. We chose bamboo  because it maintains its quality, whereas other fabrics started to pill and wear down after awhile. Its also the softest fabric we’ve ever felt, fast drying, self wicking, and odor preventing. As for eco-friendly, here are five reasons bamboo is one of the environments best friends. 

June is National Cancer Survivor’s Month and although I’m currently undergoing treatment, I consider myself a “survivor” every single day. My name is Shaylee and in October 2017 I was diagnosed with stage IIIc ovarian cancer. 

Cancer takes a lot from you. It strips you of everything you know and forces you into a life you never asked for. But with that comes a completely new perspective. I’ve realized I’m so much more than my physical identity. Beauty truly DOES radiate from the inside out! When you can’t recognize the person in the mirror staring back at you, you’re forced to see yourself for the amazingly brave, strong, and resilient woman you truly are. And that’s SO empowering!

MADI Apparel is launching two new summer products -- both designed by our founder to be worn as night AND day wear!  We are big fans of creating products that LAST and can be worn for multiple occasions.  Introducing "The Anna" Day or Night Bamboo Shift Dress and "The Jacqueline" Tie-Back Lounger Tank.

Check it out!  Thanks for featuring us, StyleHaul!

Graphic by: StyleHaul

"MADI Apparel is a sweatshop-free, locally made, sustainable intimates line with a buy one, give one business model. Here. below, MADI’s founder Hayley Santell talks to us about what inspired her to start her company, and what it takes to maintain it." -->  The Haul writer Lauren Strasnick interviewed our founder Hayley Besheer Santell for all the details about our impactful intimates startup!

Click to read all about:

• Our social entrepreneur founder Hayley and why she started MADI Apparel to begin with!
• Our newly renovated 1954 vintage camper mobile boutique aka MADI Mobile
• Why we care so much about fair labor and domestic production. Learn how we employ local Kansas City women to cut/sew our garments
• What organizations are in need of underwear donations and where in the world have we been to donate them?
• Our future goals and ideas!

THANK YOU STYLE HAUL for featuring us!!!

Work/play balance advice by founder Hayley: how I randomly became an entrepreneur based on fate and determination to fulfill a global need + tips I've learned along the way for staying happy personally. 

Mother's Day is in just over a week and perhaps you're that last minute gifter :).  Having a hard time finding the perfect gift for your queen of a mama that balances between heart warming, practical, classic and chic?  We have the perfect "gifts that give" ideas that'll make mom smile ear to ear! 

Pam's Picks

Pam the PR director of MADI Apparel and the Director of our non-profit MADI Donations.  She's also a mom!  Founder Hayley's mom to be exact :).  In fact - she's so important that Hayley named "The Pamela" Cheeky Brazilian after her.  Hayley designed the style not really based on what Pam wears necessarily, but the fun, petite, CHEEKY, free feeling of the brazilian cut reminded her of her mom when designing.  Here are Pam's favorite pairs of MADI undie styles (and she prefers to buy them in ivory!):

"The Mimi" Modest Bikini (left) is the perfect style for someone who is obsessed with comfort and likes full coverage in the back but isn't a fan of a high rise brief.  She's our most popular bamboo panty. 

"The Kaydee" Brazilian is our most popular panty of all.  Pam likes it because it's a good combo of fun and flirty but also very comfortable.  The back fits like our Kyle Boyshort - so not ultra cheeky but definitely not full coverage.  This is for the mom who loves comfy lace.  The best thing about this panty is the wide lace laces wonderfully on mama curves.  Skinny laces have the tendency to interrupt our womanly figure, but this wide lace accentuates and moves with the natural curves of our bodies!

^^Here's cutie Pam in front of #MADImobile at Fox4News KC

Laney's Pick:

"My mom loves our bamboo Sleep Tank!  I may have to buy one for her again this year :)." 

^^Perfect pick for women of any age, any size.  The loose fit is very flattering on many body types!

These are Laney's mom's favorite things about the sleep tank:

1.  It's super flowy and breathable.

2.  Still looks and feels brand new even after numerous washes.  The fabric is sooo soft and high quality!

3.  She loves how it's longer than most tanks and longer in back for more coverage.
 

^^ This top is particularly high rated by pregnant and/or nursing moms!  Pregnant moms love the relaxed, loose fit.  Amazing to bring in her hospital bag for birthing day!  Nursing moms love how you can simply pull the front to the side while keeping everything else in tact.  This tank feels like clouds and gives moms a little piece of heaven during hectic, busy days!

Alesha's Pick:

"My mom also adores the sleep tank!  It's just so comfy.  This year, I'm thinking of getting her a pj set - another bamboo sleep tank (since I know she loves those) and then pairing with sleep shorts since she doesnt have those yet!!"

Hayley's Pick:

"I hope my mom doesn't see this as she, too, has a few words at the top of this article :))!  I think my mom already has one of our bamboo robes, but I'll probably get her another in a different color because they are SOOO COMFY."

Things moms love most about "The Karen" Restful Robe:

• Perfect for all ages.  This full coverage robe has a little sexy and mostly modest.  It hits just above the knee.  
• Great for getting ready, drying hair and putting on makeup
• Self-wicking, super super soft and breezy.  

We hope these help guide you in your gift giving journey for mom!  Make sure to order from us before May 9th to ensure deliver before Mother's Day!!

XO, Team MADI