love & nudes
Throughout history, there has been a significant effort to limit aesthetic options for people of colour, particularly those who would not pass a paper bag test. It has only truly been observed in the last two decades that there has been an influx of creatives who design with the intention of clothing those of various darker skin tones.
Love & Nudes is a Canadian women’s intimates brand that was created with that very issue in mind; supply and demand for women of color. These particular lingerie sets are part of a greater collection of lingerie that was developed with comfort and representation in mind. The creator, Chantal, would have to paint her bras to wear one that would match her skin colour. With mass productions among various clothing companies, there is no excuse nor reason for there only to be one or two “nude” colour undergarments to the point which many women like Chantal are reduced to incorrect colours and altered to adapt to an order that should already be in place for her demographic.
Not only do Love & Nude intimates cater to women of all skin colours but they actually consider the many differences women’s bodies may present in contrast to what options most retailers provide. This is not a compromise one should have to consider from this considerably accessible Canadian lingerie company.
Chantal brought her collection to the CBC Dragons Den in 2019. In this video, you can clearly see the difference it makes to wear the correct tone of nude underneath sheer clothing for example. The panel hosts of that year were personally surprised to find that there was such a lack of range available for women of color in terms of nude undergarments. That coupled with the quality fabric and form which comments on the natural figures of the models, as seen in the show and from our models today, we can see Chantal’s vision shine through.
Creative innovators like Chantal who dedicate their entrepreneurial focus towards an issue apart of a greater problem deserve recognition and investment, just as the quality of her products does.
If you’re curious about shopping for some of the lingerie sets and pieces mentioned in Chantal’s
line, you can find love and nudes at loveandnudes.com.
Tianna can be seen modeling the Amanda Ultimate Wire-Free Bra with the Janati Panty in Knockout Nutmeg. These two from Love & Nudes match Tianna’s overall skin tone, perfect to be worn under any sheer or see-through clothing of her choosing.
The Lynma Crossover Comfort Bra with the Janai Panty in Expresso Empress, while darker than Lina’s complexion, compliments the greater warm undertones that make her complexion so lively and rich. Espresso Empress utilizes deeper reds within the pieces, which typically suits women of warm and dark skin colours best.