The Countdown Begins...

I Thought We'd Never Meet Again...

Once upon a time, Hemline carried Matt and Nat. We would take them shopping, out to dinner, pretty much everywhere we went. Then one day, an evil witch came and took them away from us. We vowed our undying love in the hopes one day they would return....

And now they have! Hemline is proud to announce that we are once more carrying the line we  fell in love with so long ago. 

Because we couldn't have said it better ourselves, here's a little info from the brand's website:

In 1991, co-owner and creative director Inder Bedi was challenged by a mahatma to go vegetarian for thirty days. It was during this time that Inder devised the business plan for an eco/vegan fashion house. First written as a university project in 1995 and eventually launched at Matt & Nat. 

By combining cutting edge fashion and social responsibility, a balance of opposites emerges, representing the duality of Matt & Nat's soul.

So stop by Hemline soon and check out all the awesome new Matt and Nat so you can find your perfect balance between cutting edge fashion and social responsibility. See, doesn't fashion make you feel good?

Spring's Unexpected Color...

We know it's next to impossible to think about spring, and warmer weather, and baring your legs on a day like this, so we thought we'd help you along!

As we stood looking at the ravishing racks in the store, something struck us... no, it wasn't a cool coral or a titillating turquoise; it was a color we usually reserve for those bitter cold days in November. NAVY! When did his color become such a major player in the spring color palette? We're not sure either, but one thing is certain... we LOVE it!

As your clothes generally become a bit more skimpy as the temperature rises, this sophisticated navy helps you keep a little class in your wardrobe. 

First up we have a pair of adorable high-waisted shorts by MM Couture by Miss Me. Pair them with a simple white-tee, long cardigan, and pretty pair of flip flops for a spring staple in your closet. 

Second, we have a piece by a new brand Hemline is carrying, Kitty. We loved this little one-piece romper in navy. The ruffles down the front paired with the overall silk fabric make an outfit that's normally a bit juvenile, completely mature!

And lastly, we have the ever-present pinnacle of class, Trina Turk with a fun, flirty frock that would be PERFECT for a wedding, graduation party, or date night. Since the dress is a statement piece in itself, keep accessories (including your shoes) relatively simple. 

So, during a time when we're all usually rushing to wear the brightest color we can get our hands on, step back and play it cool. Slip on something a little more demure... something navy.

Yes, if you must know, we HAVE had some work done.

But it's nothing serious. Just a nip here and a tuck there. And we think it looks pretty good! 


No, no, crazy! We're not talking about that face up there, we talking about our website, shophemline.com! We have all these great new features that make it more fun to shop and easier to get to know us! Now, by just going to our website, you can find out all about what we've been up to in the press section and what we're about to get into in the events section. And if you really, really want to stay up-to-date with all the Hemline fun, fashion, and fancy then you can follow us on Twitter and become our friend on Facebook!


In addition to telling you about all the cool events we're involved in, we also have improved the thing Hemline is all about: fashion! We now feature designer profiles (our current designer is Yoana Baraschi) and a seasonal style section that guarantee to keep you en-vogue. 


So, hurry up and go check out our facelift! We're positive you'll love it and can't wait to hear what you think about it! So shop, send us an e-mail, or just take a look around at shophemline.com!

Things Are Getting Pretty Serious....

Just a Few Pics We Had Lying Around...

 

(Bianco Nero turquiose goddess dress, Sue Wong feather and beaded bodice dress, Trina Turk coral bustier top, Kitty graphic zipper shift)

I Feel Like A Girl of 16 Again, Part Two

We're back! And just like we promised, we have 3 more scintillating sequin looks for you and your closet. So, sit back, relax (or get excited) and enjoy the ride.

Look Numero Quatro: We're not gonna lie, Yoanna Baraschi may or may not have seduced us with her entire spring collection. Everything was so fresh! So colorful! And somehow classy, too- all at the same time! Swooooon.....

Thus, we apologize for being a little Y. B. heavy, but what's a girl to do when dresses like this are staring at her from the racks all day? Exactly, a girl should blog about them...

We loved the bright orange, the oh-so slightly varied color of the orange sequins... basically, this dress made us do the one thing we thought we never would... wear orange and feel chic doing so. The embellishment on the shoulders doesn't hurt either...

(Yoana Baraschi orange sequin dress)

Next up we have something a little more causal, but that still manages to create that magical mix between elegant and eclectic. 

Look Numero Cinco: Yes, yes, another Yoanna shirt, but just look at her! We love it, we love it! The black silk easily makes this shirt a go-to for both a casual and a dressy occasion. Paired with dress slacks or jeans, this top is a show-stopper. 

We love the pairing of the ultra feminine hot pink sequins with *the color for spring*- army green. The juxtaposition results in a mood that conveys both an awareness of trends and a sense of timeless femininity.

And lastly, because we can tell that you want us to tell you there is life- and a sparkling life after Yoanna, we bring you something from someone a little different....

(Yoana Baraschi black sequin top)

Look Numero Seis: We bring you Trina! Well, Trina Turk that is: the queen of classic. But what makes her designs so great is that you never feel like you're wearing something classic. You feel like you're wearing something editorial, something fresh, something new, and WHOOPS... 5 years later you're still wearing it and loving it.

But we digress... We love this piece because it's drapey and flowy enough to wear casually with a great pair of tights and flats or sparkly and fun enough to pair with a belt and heels. Once again, sequins prove their ability to transcend dress codes.

And we'll leave you on that note; that maybe nothing has really changed since we were begging our mothers to buy us the most sparkly shirts we could find. Maybe we're all still little girls who need a sequin or two to make everything okay...

(Trina Turk pink sequin dress)

I Feel Like A Girl of 16 Again, Part One

Remember when you were a small child and wearing sequins was the only thing you needed in life to make you feel great? Well, we kinda feel like nothing should have changed over the past 10, 20, 30, heck, even 40 years. 


Hence, we are bringing you not one- but two!- installments of sexy sequin pieces that are sure to make you feel like a girl of 16 again... Please note, these gams are not guaranteed to make you look 16 again. But we wouldn't want that anyway. We love you just the way you are. 


Look Numero Uno: This little Yoanna Baraschi number has that perfect mix of leaving winter behind and welcoming in the warmer weather thanks to the perfect color palette. The deep blue makes the dress February-appropriate while the pink, orange, and every other color of the rainbow sequins shimmy in the coming-season. 

(Yoana Baraschi sequin dress)

For those who dream of genie a little less flamboyantly, we have...


Look Numero Dos: Fumblin' Foe does it again with this silver, square-shaped sequin top. One of Hemline's favorite brands, Fumblin' Foe has mastered the balance between classic and cutting edge. This time, they've paired a simple enough white blouse with the shiny sequins to create a top that looks just as good tucked into a high-waisted black skirt as it does with a pair of jeans. 


In this case, we've paired the super-shiny shirt with a pair of skinny-leg James Jeans in an all-American wash. The slight distresses in the jeans offset the fanciful nature of the shirt creating an all-around sophisticated yet youthful look. 

(Fumblin' Foe sequin shirt, James Jeans skinny)

And finally, for a look that is begging for the dog days of summer, we present...


Look Numero Tres: Free People is the master of hippie chic, and this outfit will have you singing along to The Beatles as you lunch with your ladies. The playful pink and sequins on the bottom half of the dress are calmed by the neutral tones found in the upper half as well as the Karlie cardigan placed over. 


The Karlie cardigan allows you to slip this dress into your wardrobe a few months before its time while the draping contributes to the ultra-luxe vibe of the ensemble. 


But wait! You didn't think we would leave you with only 3 looks did you?! Just wait a few more days and we'll be back with 3 more sexy sequin looks for your viewing (and buying) pleasure. 


(Free People sequin dress, Karlie cardigan)

 In the meantime, stop by Hemline on the Plaza or click on over to shophemline.com to satiate your sequin cravings. 

Spring has Sprung!

As evidenced by the lovely weather today, spring is quickly approaching! So grab your best friends and head down to Hemline to pick up all these must-haves for the tantalizing temperatures on the way! Whether they are beautiful blues, perfect pinks and peaches, or pleasant purples, you are sure to find a color to suit your tastes. But hurry! Spring will be here before you know it....

And get prepared because on Monday we are going to be talking about how to wear the trend that is here to stay for the spring and summer months- sequins! We'll show you how to wear them without looking like you got dressed in the junior's department... so get excited!

La Femme!

You Were Always on My... Feet?

Just a Few Gift Ideas in Case You Were Wondering

(theBalm collection at Hemline)

Shopping for anyone on Valentine's Day can be tricky. But finding that perfect gift that embodies fun, flirty, and fabulousness for that special woman in your life is the trickiest of all. Be it your mother, your best friend, or your girlfriend, we've found two perfect gifts that are sure to brighten any lady's day. 


First up, we have theBalm cosmetics: specifically Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss. Hemline stocks over 10 shades, which means you'll be able to find a shade to match every skin tone, attitude, or outfit! Whether you desire a playful pink, a ravishing red, or a natural nude, we have what you are looking for! Plus... they come with oh-so charming names such as "Spike My Punch" and "Water My Melon." What's not to love?!?


If the particular damsel you are shopping for is of a more refined nature, we have something for her, too. Hemline stocks several items from the floral fragrance line, Kai. In addition to standbys such as perfume and body lotion, we also have linen spray, a candle, and body glow. Featured as one of Oprah's "Favorite Things" in 2007, Kai continues to be one of our favorite things in 2010 and beyond!

(part of Hemline's Kai collection)

Three Looks for Valentine's Day... No Matter Your Plans!

 Look Number One: Ladies Night Out or Sexy Date with your Beau!

 

(Free People turquoise lace top, Free People black sequin mini skirt, Seychelles turquoise wedge heel, LoopNYC wallet)

  

Whether you have sexy plans with your man or are getting sexy so you can snag a man, we have an outfit for you! We loved pairing a sweet and ultra-girly top with a psuedo-tough sequin skirt. The Seychelles shoes were almost too good to be true- perfectly complimenting the color of the Free People top. However, we didn't want the look to become too matchy-matchy, so we added in the red clutch that just happened to have flecks of turquoise for coherence.

Look Number Two: Movie Night with the Girls or Date Night with Ben and Jerry!

(Free People coral peasant top, Hudson boot cut jeans, GO-Go Gear peace handbag)

 

So maybe your day of love is less about love with a man and more about love for your girlfriends... or even love for yourself.  If this is the case, we've put together a pleasantly playful ensemble that exudes a carefree, fun attitude. Just an easy pair of relaxed Hudson jeans, a romantic, flowing top in a lovely color and a cute peace bag that makes it easy to sneak in candy to the movie theater or discreetly transport that pint of Ben and Jerry to your apartment.

Look Number Three: Cocktail Party!

(Alexia Admor purple cocktail dress, Chinese Laundry suede heel, theBalm "Plump" lip gloss)

There's always some cocktail party to attend on Valentine's Day; whether it's couples only or singles only, you'll be the scene stealer in this little purple number by Alexia Admor. While everyone else is busy rockin' reds and pinks, you'll be the standout in a perfect plum. We paired it with our go-to cocktail heels, the Chinese Laundry black suede heel to make sure the dress still had winter-weather appeal (make it even more winter appropriate by throwing on a pair of thick black tights!). As the final accessory of the evening, make sure you bring along theBalm's plumping lip gloss to ensure your lips look ultra-kissable throughout the night!

The big day is only 5 days away so stop by Hemline on the Plaza or visit our website at shophemline.com right away to find your perfect Valentine's Day look! 

Love is in the Air and Our Windows Know It....

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and Hemline has been busily preparing for the occasion! We've decked our halls and dressed our dolls (well, mannequins) all in the interest of getting you just excited for the day of love as we are!

We've glittered out hearts and even managed to make flowers from bark... all in an effort to make you fall in love. Tomorrow we will be posting some of the best Valentine's Day looks around- both for those of you with a date with Mike... and those of you who have a date with Ben and Jerry.

Stay tuned! 

Designer Profile: Maria Ismert

(Maria's Piola collection now available at Hemline)

Maria Ismert is the up- and coming- jewelry designer of Piola, a collection of pieces based on a marriage between eclectic and classic. Based right here in Kansas City, we were lucky enough to sit down with Maria and find out a little more about her collection, inspiration, and her own style secrets. 

Hemline: Why did you decide to start designing jewelry?

Maria Ismert: Making jewelry perfectly combines my passion for art and design and working with my hands.  However, I didn’t start designing my own until I went to my first bead show in college; it was love at first sight.  I wanted fun, inexpensive, and unique ideas for birthday and Christmas gifts too.   Frustrated with the current jewelry market and my own personal collection, I bought a few tools (on a very low budget) and got to work.  I began dissecting my old jewelry –a combination of vintage, garage sale finds and cheap plastics—and pairing them with more modern, colorful stones.   My friends and I began sporting my light-weight pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else, and the rest is history…

H: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

M.I.: As a painter, I see my jewelry as an extension of my art-nouveau-inspired canvases.  I like things to pop amidst a subtle or organic backdrop.  The juxtaposition of faceted, creamy mint chalcedony with vintage gold chains or a splash of hot-pink felt hand-wrapped in gold wire was very different, yet very attractive. 

H: Who are your favorite designers?

M.I.: Scarlet Garnett Jewelry (Kansas City, MO) is amazing.  Rustic and elegant is sultry, and these girls understand that.   

H: Where do you like to shop?

M.I.: Since the 6^th grade, I’ve been swapping clothes at ATC in Westport.  There’s something about sorting through second-hand separates from perfect strangers and cleaning out your closet at the same time. But honestly, Hemline and Anthropologie is where it’s at.

H: How would you describe the woman who wears your jewelry?

M.I.: Confident and progressive, but relaxed; willing to mix it up while listening to her mood.

H: What makes your jewelry unique?

M.I.: Piola experiments with new materials and new combinations.   I never repeat the same piece twice.  Whether it’s an old sea shell paired with a mod pendant, connected by snake-skin chain, I create pieces for every occasion, mood, and season.

H: What's your style mantra? 

Your wardrobe is your canvas too; Art should be apart of everyday life.            

(Some of our favorite items- love the turquoise necklace!)

Boots, Coats, and Mittens... OH MY!

(Sam Edelman Nile boot, Wooden Ships grey hat, Corey Lynn Calter poncho, Wooden Ships doll mittens, Seychelles Dos-I-Do boot, and Free People white coat)

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not that time of year. It's time to get rid of all our our winter stuff so we can make room for all of the lovely spring diddies that have been arriving daily. 

And while we're so excited for the arrival of pastels, florals, and tissue-thin tees, we are sad we have to let all of our woven knits, cuddly coats, and beautiful boots go. 

But lucky for you, this means savings! Our winter sale continues with TWO 75% off racks and special discounts on the following items.

Winter Boots:$39.95
Scarves: $14.95
Mittens and Gloves: $14.95
Winter Hats: $14.95

Visit Hemline on the Plaza soon for these and other great winter markdowns!

Fancy Face

Hemline loves a good party. Even more than that, Hemline loves a good party where women are wearing glorious clothes. But even more than that, Hemline loves when a woman is wearing glorious clothes just because that's what she does.

Part of this blog will focus on just that: women who weren't expecting their close-up. Women who were merely out and about and fell victim to our fashion-focused camera lens. They might have been meeting friends for lunch, having a shopping day, or maybe just walking their dog...

Take this scarlet soul who we bumped into right outside our store! Casually yet carefully put together, we appreciated her sense of laid-back luxury. The wild hair oh-so slightly contained, the way the inseam on her jeans lines up with the zipper on the boots, the plaid shirt transformed by the scarf--oh, wait!-- it's a sweater wrapped around her neck! Oh, the details... And those yellow gloves oh-so secretively making an appearance outside of her pocket... 

Below is our own version of the look. 

 (Free People plaid jacket, Hudson jeans, Tullette tan gloves, Tullette black scarf, and Seychelles boot all available at Hemline)