News
Upcoming mobile boutique popup events in your city!
We're finalizing our list of spring and summer events and looking to add fall and winter to our calendar! Here's what we've got coming up:
APRIL
= MADI Mobile popup (if no icon, we're popping up without the camper)
April 28
10am-6pm
April 29
MAY
May 4
May 5
May 6
JUNE
June 1
June 2
June 3
June 22
June 23
Stay tuned for add-ons this summer in Chicago and Denver!
KC FLAGSHIP STORE EVERY WEEKEND:
MADI Apparel flagship store
1659 Summit, Kansas City MO
Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Know any shopping festivals in your city this fall or winter? Please give us a holler at info.madiapparel@gmail.com!
xo, team MADI
10 Eco Friendly Wedding Ideas - for The Earth Conscious Bride
Co-written by two boss babes + fair fashion enthusiasts
Friends MADI founder Hayley and mindfully sourced fashion company NOVAA co-founder Bridget each give tips for how to have the beautiful wedding of your dreams while staying true to your eco-conscious ethics!
HAYLEY'S TIPS
1. Ask for Eco-Friendly Intimates...ahem :)
You knew we had to lead with this...right? :) BRIDES magazine featured MADI Apparel in their 8 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Wedding Shower. "Being showered with sexy new lingerie is a fun part of many bridal celebrations. If intimates are in the cards for you, ask gift givers to look to MADI Apparel (Make a Difference Intimate Apparel), a gorgeous line of ecofriendly underwear, sleep tops, robes, and bralettes." Our products are made of only the most luxuriously long-lasting, sustainable fabrics we could find. If I could live forever in one item it would be our dreamy bamboo sleep top pictured in the pj set below!
For day-of under-dress attire, we recommend: The Diana Ivory Lace Thong
This wide stretchy lace lays perfectly over the natural curve of your body and will enhance your figure without getting in the way on your wedding day!
Fabric: Stretch Knit Viscose from Bamboo: 95% Bamboo 5 % Rayon + 5" Floral Lace Boyshort Fit Band / Organically sustainable, odor resistant and dries super fast!
For day-of getting ready, we recommend: The Karen Bamboo Robe
Pictured above is my girl Bridget on her wedding day wearing The Karen bamboo robe. We both wore this super soft and cloud-like robe while we were getting ready the day-of!
The Karen Restful Robe is super silky and comfy - you'll wanna wear it when you wake up, after you shower, putting on your makeup, reading a book, etc...AND YOU CAN! :). Perfect for brides and bridal parties for "day-of" getting ready!
For honeymoon attire, we recommend: Bamboo PJ Set
2. Opt for a colorful gemstone instead of a diamond for your engagement ring.
Colorful stones are unique - seriously, chances are no one will have the combination of stones you do - and true to YOUR style. "An Earth-friendly and conflict-free gemstone is less expensive and more durable than the traditional diamond," says The Knot in Green Weddings - Are Your Rings Earth-Friendly and Conflict Free?.
My husband and I went to custom design my engagement ring before we got married. It was the coolest shop ever and they brought out a big tray filled of hundreds of colorful gemstones in little dishes. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. We chose Rose Quartz and lime green Peridot for my ring!
^My husband and I went to design my engagement ring at a custom design shop in Charlotte, NC.
3. Create a wooden logo stamp!
This is an amazing little tool that you'll hold on to AND USE forever - even after the wedding! Instead of paying ridiculous printing costs for everything, use one ink stamp (swap out different colors for fun.)
Step 1. Create a timeless wedding monogram with you and your spouse's initials.
Step 2. Use the wedding monogram stamp on EVERYTHING! :)
Examples for what to use stamp for:
Thank you cards: Use recycled card stock or use a paper cutter to slice up large pieces of any thick white paper you have lying around into 4x6 size and stamp one side of the card.
Wedding Guest Gifts: Grab some eco-friendly bleach free dye free muslin bags (like we use for our product packaging) and stamp your wedding logo on them! (See gift idea below)
4. Gift plants or seeds to your wedding guests or bridal party
- GIFTING SEEDS: Buy wildflower or herb seeds (for super cheap) in bulk. Grab some eco-friendly bleach free dye free muslin bags (like we mention above) and stamp your wedding logo on them! (See stamp idea above) Then, pour seeds in each! Your guests will think of you when they plant their seeds. You'll create something "forever" in their hearts and garden :).
- GIFTING PLANTS: Another idea for small wedding guest list or bridal party...start by buying one or two succulents for your home or office right after you become engaged :). Whenever a leave falls from the succulent, re-plant in a new pot. You'll then grow a new succulent! Keep doing this until you have created a little collection.
5. Re-make family member's wedding dress or veil into your own special, timeless renovation
^Emilee Brown Photo
My sweet mama offered up her wedding dress for me to use however I wanted. I gratefully took her up on this and considered it good luck as she's been happily married for 35 years to my dad! So, I took the scalloped lace from her wedding dress and used it for the end of my very very long veil train. Her dress was off the shoulder, and I took this off-the-shoulder section and re-made that piece for my rehearsal dinner dress!
^Veil created by Munisa, designer of Munelle de Vie
6. Choose flower and plant decor that you can dry or keep alive for years
^Photos: Sarabeth Miller
^Hayley chose to repurpose the pampas grass and hand-strung flowers from her wedding in her home and in our shop!
BRIDGET'S TIPS
7. Choose a color palate and ask bridesmaids to repurpose a dress in their closet or rent one! (Applies for groomsmen too!)
8. THRIFT WHAT YOU CAN'T RENT
Go antiquing for vintage plates and glassware. There are a ton of awesome vintage finds that you can decorate you tables and spaces with - mix and match candelabras, frames, vases, you name it!! Get created and keep those gems out of landfills. If you're a wild one and not into traditional china, keep the vintage plates and glassware in your home and register for other fun stuff that you prefer instead of china!
9. ECO FRIENDLY BRIDESMAIDS GIFTS
I gifted all of my maids Mata Traders Necklaces. These gorgeous jewels were handcrafted at a fair trade artisan cooperative in India using earth friendly materals. More info here:
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By supporting these artisans you are helping women to progress in a stratified society by empowering them with meaningful work and economical independence.
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The designs and techniques used help preserve an art form by keeping alive craft traditions that date back centuries.
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Each purchase helps combat child labor by providing opportunities for women, so they can send their children to school. Found at
Can be found here:
https://www.shopnovaa.com/
10. Dry or donate your wedding flowers
^Example of hanging flower wall at MADI Apparel
DONATE: When it's all said and done after your special day, if you aren't sure what to do with your flowers and you don't want to keep them, this org donates wedding flowers to healthcare, hospice, senior resident and social service communities throughout Kansas city.
https://unexpectedblooms.org
We hope you find these tips helpful for throwing the eco-friendly wedding of your dreams!!
XOXO,
Hayley and Bridget
Before and after camper renovation of MADI Apparel's new mobile boutique
Founder Hayley reveals the dirty details, sweat, labor and the totally-worth-it finishing touches she and her husband put into our brand new mobile boutique, #MADImobile, from start to finish! Meet the tiniest luxury underwear boutique (with the biggest purpose) complete with a contemporary living moss wall and walnut wood display table!
Grand Opening of MADI Mobile boutique at First Fridays KC!
Q&A with model Gabriella Hart: on Diversity and Women's Empowerment
NEW PRODUCT: Bamboo Sleep Shorts JUST LAUNCHED!
BRAND NEW: BAMBOO SLEEP SHORTS
Hey guys, we are so excited to announce the launch of a brand new product in our Spring Summer 2018 Loungewear/Sleepwear Collection: "The Simone" Bamboo Sleep Shorts! We've nicknamed them cloud shorts because they're so light, soft and comfy that you'll hardly feel them!
3 best things about our new sleep shorts:
1. They're ECO-FRIENDLY! made from the comfiest, most luxurious viscose from bamboo sustainable fabric.
- Stretch Knit Viscose from Bamboo: 95% Bamboo 5 % Rayon
- Fabric = luxuriously soft, organically sustainable, odor resistant and dries super fast!
2. Wear them to bed as a PJ set (paired with The Sybil Bamboo Sleep Tank) OR wear out on the town as athleisure.
- What is athleisure??
- InStyle says: "We’re talking about anything from designer leggings of the Lululemon variety to cashmere sweats to layering pieces to absurdly fancy (and expensive) gym clothes. Athleisure is bigger than a trend, as evidenced by the people who wear yoga pants anywhere. The need for everyday comfort, too, plays a role, especially for anyone trying to work fitness into an already overtaxed schedule. Who wants to haul an extra outfit to work?"
3. Designed to feel like clouds on your bootay.
- Literally, founder Hayley's number one goal in designing this comfy shorts was this: MAKE THEM NON RESTRICTING.
- We don't use elastics in our panties for comfort reasons - this sets us apart. We did the same thing with these sleep shorts and instead of an elastic band, we made our own drawstrings out of the stretch viscose bamboo fabric the shorts are made of. So, they'll stay up on your hips at whatever level of tightness you prefer! The bamboo drawstring is so cute and doesn't tug!
- If you haven't yet tried our bamboo products, we'd love for you to! We double dog dare you (yeah we said it) to find another fabric so silky, flowy, soft, long-lasting AND sustainable!
Sizes: S: 4-6 / M: 6-8, L: 10-12. More sizes coming soon.
We've been working very hard to launch this product for over a year and can't wait for you to try!! Please send any feedback here: info.madiapparel@gmail.com!
Photos in this post: Naomi Reed Photography
Models in this post: Michelle Gay, Amber Curve, Elyse Hardenburger
What is the difference between sexual assault and domestic violence?
MADI Apparel and other organizations invite you to observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. This is an opportunity to learn more on how to help and support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Ironically, with the recent news surrounding sexual assault allegations of powerful men, now more than ever is the time to learn, speak up, and be there for victims and survivors.
More than 1 in 3 women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime*
According to the Office on Women’s Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sexual assault is any type of forced or coerced sexual contact or behavior that happens without consent.
Sexual assault can include the following:
- Rape
- Attempted Rape
- Sexual Coercion
- Incest
- Fondling or unwanted touching above or under clothes
- Any type of sexual contact with someone who cannot consent, such as someone who is underage, has an intellectual disability, or is passed out
Sexual assault is not just a physical act, it can also be verbal or visual. This includes:
- Voyeurism, or peeping (when someone watches private sexual acts without consent)
- Exhibitionism (when someone exposes himself or herself in public)
- Sexual harassment or threats
- Forcing someone to pose for sexual pictures
Young Women between the ages of
16 and 24
Experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence and sexual assault
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse or financial abuse (using money and financial tools to exert control).
Since domestic violence can include sexual assault, the two definitions can overlap. Meanwhile, legal definitions for the two vary by state, but you can check out http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?statelaw_name=Crimes&state_code=GE to view your states definition and explanation.
Regardless of the crime, it is not the victims fault. Below are some great resources to learn more and where you can find help.
https://nnedv.org
Last Chance 40% off Sale on ALL Coral Items! Also Introducing Black Robes!
Looking for something new instead? Check out the latest Karen Robe in Black! Perfect for those brisk Fall mornings or for reading a book on a Sunday afternoon - or really anything with a go-to color like black. Pair it with our Molly Bralette and Diana in black or wear with one of our sleep tops and some leggings.
We have some exciting things coming up so be sure to check back soon!
- Team MADI
Cheers to 3 Years!
Over the past 3 years, MADI Apparel and Donations has:
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TONIGHT - Sept. 7th from 6-8 pm, We are saying thank you to Kansas City with a happy hour! All of the fun takes place at MADI Apparel at 1659 Summit Street, Kansas City, Missouri. We'll be serving up apps + drinks (to those who are 21 and over) to visitors and up to 40% off on select items for shoppers.
- THIS WEEKEND - Sept. 7th-10th, Shop our store online and save on select items. Up to 40% off! Shop here: https://madiapparel.com/collections/sale
- For every intimate purchased, we donate a pair of underwear
- Your purchase helps employ women in Kansas City
- Your purchase is made of viscose from bamboo and/or long-lasting laces; Eco-friendly fabrics that lower your end waste and can be washed, dried and worn for years!
Thank you for helping us Make a Difference over the last three years!
We Are Summer Lovin' Our Pop-Ups!
This summer MADI Apparel has hosted two pop-up shops in our beautiful Kansas City flagship store and will be hosting a third later this month! These pop-up shops are Noble Native by Sarah Hicks, By Grace Designs by Emily Moon, and Modern Mija by Emily Sharp. Each one is socially conscious through sustainable and slow-fashion. Although two of the pop-up shops have officially moved out of MADI (Noble Native and By Grace Designs), we still want to tell you about these awesome boss babe-run companies!
Modern Mija - Sarah Sharp
Modern Mija is a new brand that focuses on modern and trendy clothing for children. Sharp’s mission is to provide children with clothing that is just as fashionable as the clothing worn by the adults who surround them. The brand carries multiple designers and has an impressive Instagram feed! Modern Mija will be in MADI Apparel August 17 - September 17!
Noble Native - Sarah Hicks
Noble Native was founded in 2016 by Sarah Hicks. The company believes in sustainable fashion and fair working conditions and wages for factory workers. The pieces sold by Noble Native are fashion forward and trendy. Each piece is sure to make you stand out from the crowd! Check out a few of their pieces below:
By Grace Designs - Emily Moon
By Grace Designs is an organization that believes in educating, employing, empowering, and elevating. All of the pieces in this shop are made by at-risk women and are sweatshop free. The main value in this company is empowering women. Emily Moon is doing an amazing thing by creating these pieces with women empowerment in mind. Check out a few pieces from By Grace Designs below:
Be sure to come back to MADI Apparel August 17 - September 17 for Modern Mija and to check out Noble Native and By Grace Designs online! Every Saturday, stop by MADI Apparel for complimentary lemonade, a look at Modern Mija, and exclusive deals at our next-door-neighbor, Westside Local!
MADI Apparel Has Been Featured in Startland News!
We are so excited to have been featured in Kansas City's innovation news source, Startland News! Startland News reporter Meghan LeVota writes about MADI's mission of helping at-risk women by donating a pair of underwear to a woman in need for every MADI item sold. The article also discusses MADI's new program launching this summer called MADI Makes - a program developed by our non-profit MADI Donations to train and employ at-risk women in Kansas City to sew our products. Click here to read the entire article!
This photo was taken by story reporter Meghan LeVota.
MADI AT VON MAUR
Yep, you read that right, you can now find MADI's amazing products at Von Maur! We are SO excited to announce this HUGE secret we have been keeping! (& we know you've been waiting to hear and are just as excited as we are!) We are so proud to announce that we are being sold in our FIRST partnered department store!
You can find our undies in 3 of their store locations: Chicago (Lombard), Omaha, and Minneapolis (Eden Prairie).
Von Maur is a department store based out of Davenport, Iowa with locations throughout the Midwest and Southern United States. They offer a wide selection of brand-name clothing, shoes, accessories and beauty items accompanied by excellent customer service. We couldn't be more excited to have our products featured in their stores!
Partnered Donation Organizations:
The Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) provides leadership and resources for sexual assault programs and allies to prevent sexual violence while promoting a comprehensive, socially just response for all victims/survivors. We support, convene, and collaborate with sexual assault programs, advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement officers to promote a more victim-centered response to sexual violence, and increase effective criminal justice. Our prevention programs take action before someone is harmed, and we work with policy makers and elected officials for laws and programs that fight sexual violence.
We are SO excited for this opportunity to expand our efforts in empowering women everywhere! For EVERY pair sold at these locations we will donate a pair to a woman in need in that city.
We truly could not have gotten to this point without you all who have supported us throughout this journey.
Cheers to another exciting adventure!
-Team MADI