Redefining nude
The definition of 'nude' has had the make-over to beat all make-overs.
For years, nude has been defined as a colour that matches skin-tones - as long as the skin is that of a peachy toned white person. Recently however, this outlook has been challenged.
Over the past few years, nude products from nail varnishes to foundation have started to pop up in more than just one shade and we couldn’t be happier. In 2013 Christian Louboutin released his ‘Les Nudes’ collection which is a range of heels which come in varying nude shades from ‘fair blush’ to ‘rich chestnut’ – so innovative and forward thinking this seemed at the time, they were put on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Rapid Response Collecting Room Gallery. The expansion of the way we depict the colour nude has long been an issue. In 1962 Crayola even renamed its ‘flesh’ crayon ‘peach’ to try to put an end to the connotations of nude/flesh colours being for white people only. All though we still have a long way to go, the amount of brands and designers that are finally making a conscious effort to recognise that women of all colours use and wear their products is growing, which makes sense considering that white consumers will become the minority in 2050.
“Nude is not a colour; it’s a concept.”
– Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin 'Les Nudes' Campaign
With lingerie already being notoriously hard to shop for, the search for underwear which not only fits nicely but that also matches your skin tone is literally like looking for a needle in the world’s largest, whitest haystack. However, new brands who are focused on catering to all are constantly appearing as well as old brands who are following suit and deciding to diversify their products.
Sadia Sisay was inspired to create BeingU by her daughter, as she wanted to ensure that she grew up ‘in a world that celebrates women of all shapes, shades and sizes.’ The brand was launched in 2016 and it’s the epitome of diversity. With bras going up to a size 44H and pants up to a size 18 and in five skin tones with gorgeous descriptions such as ‘Smell the coffee, see yourself in this rich alluring tone. To suit complexions coffee with no milk.’ - making you feel beautiful in your skin before even buying one of their products.
BeingU
Berry, Cinnamon, Caramel, Café au Lait – the four delicious shades of Nubian Skin lingerie. Along with an incredibly helpful guide on their website in which they state which foundation shade best matches their lingerie shades, Nubian Skin is all for making the quest to find nude lingerie easier for women of colour. After failing to find ‘her nude’ in shops, founder, Ade Hassan, decided ‘it’s time to rethink the definition of nude.’ With unprecedented growth since their launch in 2014, Nubian Skin set the pathway for diversifying the way we see ‘nude’. Stocked in House of Fraser, Fenwick, ASOS and many more major retailers, Nubian Skin is our go-to for women of colour.
Nubian Skin
American Eagle’s lingerie line Aerie, consists of a wide range of lingerie from bralettes and boy shorts to push-up bras and thongs all in a variety of nude shades and up to sizes 40DDD and XXL. Not only are they advocates for ethnic diversity, but their #AerieReal campaign in which they use un-retouched photos promotes self-love and empowerment. Jennifer Foyle, president of Aerie, stated that the brand ‘really felt like girls today are just more independent and stronger than ever.’ – and a brand which reinforces girl power, diversity and self-love is a brand that deserves endless support.
Aerie
