We are delighted to introduce you to Nubian Skin, an inclusive lingerie and hosiery brand, and another company we just love!

Frustrated at the lack of options for women of colour in lingerie matching true and varied shades, Ade Hassan took matters into her own hands.

We were just dying to find out more! Grass-fields sat down with Nubian Skin's fabulous founder to get the skinny on the ground-breaking lingerie business breaking down barriers and redefining the nude spectrum of colours.

When did you start Nubian Skin?

'I came up with the idea in 2011, and after a friend had sent me a card that said, ‘it’s time to start living the life you’ve always imagined,’ I immediately registered the business. It took much longer than I had expected to get from idea to launch, and we finally launched to trade in October 2014.'

What is your brand's mission?

'Nubian Skin’s mission is ‘Empowering women & embracing our colour’. We want women to feel included and appreciated in lingerie and hosiery that has been specifically tailored to them. When I first started the business, ‘nude’ lingerie and hosiery for women of colour was something I simply could not find. I’d go into a shop and ask for ‘nude’ and they’d offer me black, or something that might as well have been lime green because it did not match my skin-tone.

Being able to find something in your nude is an incredibly empowering thing. I want our customers to feel that they do matter and also that they deserve it and are worth it. Because for so long people didn’t seem to think that and women of colour are worth it and should have things that are catered to them.'

What is your favourite piece from your current collection and why?

'I love the bandeau from our new Naked Collection – it’s super versatile, comfy and looks great with anything sheer as it blends well with my skin-tone (which is Cinnamon)!'

What inspires you?

'My family. They are wonderful.  I have an incredibly supportive husband, and my siblings and parents are just amazing.  My mother is an incredible woman, and my father cannot do enough for his family.  They are both entrepreneurs, and they’ve set a great example for me.'

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own brand?

'If you’ve got an idea you’d like to bring to life, It’s really important to research your idea to make sure that whatever it is, it’s valid. Make sure you really believe in the idea especially if you’re working in another job. If you’re up at 4:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. working on this, then you want to believe in it.

You also need to be willing to work really hard. Everybody who is going to start something anticipates that it’s going to be difficult, and that it’s going to be hard, but it will be so much more difficult and so much harder than you can prepare yourself for. And also – have faith in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, then who will?'

What have you learned from running your own business?

'There is a lot to learn – so much more than you can imagine! But the three major things I’ve learned are; I can handle a lot more stress than I thought. It is incredibly important to have a great support base. You have to be grateful.'

What plans do you have for Nubian Skin in 2018?

'We’ve been working on our fuller cup bras for a while now, we’re hoping to launch them really soon! Other than that we have a few exciting ideas in the pipeline, so watch this space!'

Nubian Skin's products are available to buy on their website, as well as many online stores, including ASOS, and lingerie and department stores across the UK, US, the Caribbean, Nigeria, and Portugal.

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