Khali

“[Ade Hassan,] the founder of a nude lingerie line for black women has been named fashion entrepreneur of the year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2015. … After only one year in business, Ade’s brainchild has been endorsed by the likes of Scandal star Kerry Washington and is stocked in five stores in the UK, two in Portugal and 21 stores in the US. It is also sold through nine websites online. The 31-year-old got the idea for Nubian Skin while sitting at her desk at her former job….” The Young Empire

“There are a lucky few who know exactly what they want to be when they grow up from the moment they start grade school. Others find out in college after taking classes and joining clubs that help narrow down their interests. Then there are people who discovered their calling years later in the midst of seeking a solution to a problem. For Ade Hassan, it was the frustration of not finding lingerie and hosiery that matched her complexion that helped her discover that there was more to life than a poor selection of stockings. Through her frustrations Nubian Skin was created, and Hassan began her mission of empowering women of color to embrace their skin tones through their hosiery. Having undergarments that are flattering to your skin tone is very important, and as women we love to feel sexy and confident through our clothing. As Ade told xoNecole: ‘Lingerie is the foundation of every woman’s wardrobe. Being able to have something that matches your skin tone helps you express yourself, and it makes you feel more comfortable in your skin – which is something that every woman should be able to feel….’” Brittani Hunter, xoNecole

“Nubian Skin is a UK-born company and first of its kind, created from Ade’s frustration with the lingerie industry as she worked in finance. ‘In the corporate world, you wear lots of blouses and skirts – not being able to find my tights (hosiery) was really annoying.’ She says, sitting opposite me with a warm smile, poised and composed in a small, organized room. ‘I was wearing a white top and didn’t have a nude bra, and sent a text to a friend saying ‘I’ve figured out what I want to do for the rest of my life!’ The nude clothing industry is notorious for catering only to those with lighter skins, with many ethnicities having to ‘make do’ with black underwear and hosiery, or a nude shade much lighter than their skin tone, problematic in situations where inconspicuous underwear is desired. Hassan had no problem leading the solution, attributing her success to self-belief in the idea. ‘I’m pretty stubborn, if I decide that I want to do something, I generally go for it’ she tells me, an unspoken determination in her features….” Nicole Allen, Alturus