In a garden somewhere in Central London, old newspaper covers the floor while cans of caramel colored spray paint lay empty and Ade Hassan works on transforming peach-colored mannequin legs.
Hassan is prepping for a trade show. She had ordered the bone colored mannequin legs weeks prior. But she knows they just won’t do for her new line of lingerie and hosiery for women of color.
Laughing while covered in spray paint, “I can’t believe this is my life right now,” she says.
Ade Hassan has a business background and took a risk to start a business of her own called, “Nubian Skin” after becoming frustrated searching for underwear that matched her skin tone.
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Nubian Skin comes in four colors. The darkest color is berry, while the others keep with the food theme of cinnamon, caramel and café au lait.
“So it’s all food,” says Hassan. “It was really fun for me coming up with the names.”
Nubian Skin launched in 2014 and although Hassan is based in London, “Nubian Skin” is sold online and in the United States.
While appearing in trade shows and runways, Nubian Skin was recently picked up by Beyoncé and her dancers for the “Formation Tour.”
“My dream is for Nubian Skin to become a household name,” says Hassan.
