This Lingerie Brand Is Changing the Definition of What Nude Looks Like
Photo Courtesy of nubianskin/Instagram
Most people own three bras: black, white, and nude. But all nudes are not created equal and most skin-colored underwear don’t match the hues of women of color. But a new apparel brand, Nubian Skin, noticed the gap in the market and is creating a line of lingerie to better suit a diverse population.
“My nude isn’t the nude I see in shops,” the founder of U.K.-based hosiery line, who chooses to remain anonymous, writes in a blog post on the company’s website. “Despite the reality that women of color have the same needs as all women when it comes to lingerie and hosiery…the industry simply doesn’t cater to us.” She notes that with trends such as sheer panels and cut-outs that require an illusion bra, finding appropriate undergarments to pull off these particular styles is a challenge.
Nubian Skin uses foundations from popular makeup brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Nars — all companies that have made strides in seeing nude as more than just Caucasian — as a reference to the variety of hues. For example, the Berry shade is recommended for those that use Laura Mercier Espresso and Cinnamon for someone who wears Bobbi Brown Warm Walnut.
Photo Courtesy of nubianskin/Instagram
The founder draws comparison between Beauty’s efforts and how apparel lines need to catch up. “It took Eunice W. Johnson to create Fashion Fair Cosmetics in 1973 for black women to really have an adequate choice in finding makeup colors to suit them,” she writes. “In the 1990s and 2000s, mainstream brands began to realize the value of providing to women of color, and despite the billions we spend on make up each year, there are still brands that have chosen not to provide an offering for us.”
While it’s true that finding the correct color underwear and hosiery to wear in the lingerie aisle is challenging, there have been advances recently in the definition of nude throughout fashion and beauty industries. For example, Christian Louboutin created his popular nude heel in five hues ranging from fair blush to rich chestnut.
The line hasn’t even launched yet and already there are excited consumers ready to shop. “For the love of nude! Finally something that caters to us brown beauties. Thank you,” Christine L. Jacques wrote on Twitter. And Keisha from the blog thegirlnextdoorisblack.com tweeted her support saying, “Because my “nude” isn’t beige!” Vanessa Lloyd added in a comment on NubianSkin.com, “I am so excited for you and I support this brand 100%. I’ve sent out a mass text to at least a dozen friends about your line.”
The collection will be available on Nubian Skin’s website in October and available in sizes 30B to 36DD/E. Next up: plus-size. But that’s a whole other conversation for another time.
