Hayley Besheer Santell is always ready to talk ethical fashion. The Kansas City native founded MADI Apparel, a brand dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices, in 2014. Drawing its name from “Making a Difference,” MADI Apparel lives up to the message, sourcing sustainable materials and donating a pair of underwear for every item sold. Though Santell’s work has been featured in major media outlets across the country, she still loves calling Kansas City home.
“I’m grateful to have traveled all over the world, but nothing hits home quite like KC,” says Santell. “No place is perfect, but KC has the right mix of affordable living and working, arts and culture, exciting sports teams, seasonal weather, and the nicest, most genuine people.” One of those people is Santell’s husband, Danny Santell, who she calls her favorite musician. “He’s from the Bronx but has made Kansas City home. His Dominican and Puerto Rican roots all come into play in his music. Many of his songs feature more than one language like Spanish and Russian. I may be biased,” says Santell, “but he’s an interesting guy, and that reflects in his sound.”
Santell owns Slow Motion Goods, a brick-and-mortar shop in Westside, and has also recently released a coffee-table book titled The Art of Ethical Fashion. “Life feels easy here,” Santell says. “Comfortable, happy, and filled with supportive community members.” Santell herself is one such community member—her brand is one of only three percent of the world’s fashion brands to pay a living wage to all team members.
Hayley’s essentials...
Repeat Eatery: I love the veggie burger and kale salad at The Westside Local. They’re next door to my shop and we share a backyard, so they’re like my work family. I love the little details—candles and flowers on the tables, the lush beer garden with plants everywhere, and their seasonally changing locally sourced menu.
Hidden Gem: One of my favorite spots is Le Lounge at No Vacancy Hotel. The decor is breathtaking and unique. It’s inviting and comfy for locals, and I’m sure quite memorable for out-of-towners staying there.
Shopping Small: My favorite bookstore in the world is Prospero’s Bookstore. I’m their biggest fan and rave about them to anyone who will listen. It’s three stories with a hidden staircase to the upstairs—flooded with tons of windows and natural light. It’s a spot you can really get lost in for a bit.
Self-Care Sesh: My go-to spot for handmade organic face wash, lotion, and deodorant is Skin KC. I love that everything she makes is clean, safe for my body, and packaged in earth-friendly reusable bottles!
Local Artisan: Margaret Kinkeade makes the most unique minimalist ceramics using clay reminiscent of Oklahoma red dirt, inscribed with traditional quilt patterns. I love her mugs, pitchers, and incense trays.
Wellness Fix: I grew up on the swim team at Woodside and my grandpa was one of the first members, so it’s not only full of nostalgia and comfort for me, but it’s packed with wellness magic. The pool is open for six months of the year, and I spend every second soaking it up.
Get Boozy: My favorite drink is the Mean Mule at Mean Mule Distilling Co. The crew includes my great friends Meg and Jeff Evans and members of their immediate family who make their own spirits and handcraft their cocktail syrups. The changing seasonal bar menu is really special! My favorite bar is Panther’s Place—I love the vibe and recommend it to vacationers traveling to KC.
Musical Must: Hands down my favorite place for music is Mutual Musicians Foundation. I love that it doesn’t open until midnight and feels like the world pauses in that moment—all that matters is the music.