Ade Hassan MBE is an award-winning fashion designer and founder of Nubian Skin, a global lingerie and hosiery brand for women with darker skin tones.  

Born in the UK to Nigerian parents, Ade wanted to be a businesswoman from an early age. She studied at Duke University in the US and earned a Master’s degree in economic development at SOAS in London. After graduation, Ade gained experience working in banking and research, before taking a year off to study French and a bit of sewing in Paris.

With Nubian Skin, Ade redefined ‘Nude’, making the term more inclusive, and inspired broad changes in other parts of the fashion industry. Nubian Skin has been featured in many major fashion magazines, supplying the wardrobes of major productions in the West End, on Broadway and in Hollywood. Amongst her other notable achievements are winning the Great British Entrepreneur Award for Fashion in 2015 and being selected to provide the underpinnings for the Beyoncé Formation Tour in 2016. More recently, Nubian Skin partnered The Royal Marsden to launch the first breast cancer softies in the UK to cater to women of colour.

Ade’s industry and dedication was acknowledged with an MBE for services to fashion in 2017. On her fashion philosophy, Ade says, “it should make you feel good.” She loves to travel and indulge in life’s little pleasures.

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