Proclaim Your Nude: “Nude” & the Politics of Inclusion

When you hear something referred to as a “nude” color, what image comes to mind?

Hint: Nude is no longer one shade fits all.

Proclaim is an inclusive nude lingerie line made in Los Angeles from recycled plastic water bottles. Founded on the principles that fashion should represent all women and can be made in a way that does good for people and the planet, Proclaim is expanding the definition of nude, one ethically made bra at a time.

hen you hear something referred to as a “nude” color, what image comes to mind? We should think of a variety of different flesh tones, but the fashion and beauty industries sees “nude” as a color ranging from pale pink to light tan.

Hi it’s me, one of the billions whose skin tone does not fall within the narrow, whitewashed spectrum.

It’s no secret that fashion has a representation problem. It’s also no secret that whiteness has been seen as the default/the norm/the standard, which has meant people of color are seen as deviances to the norm, as noted by the lack of commercial availability.

Cue a badass, disruptive woman of color that decide to create what’s (desperately) needed.

Enter Proclaim, a WOC-owned nude lingerie line made in Los Angeles from recycled plastic water bottles. Founded on the principles that fashion should represent all women and can be made in a way that does good for people and the planet, Proclaim is expanding the definition of nude, one ethically made bra at a time.

It’s no secret that fashion has a representation problem. It’s also no secret that whiteness has been seen as the default/the norm/the standard, which has meant people of color are seen as deviances to the norm.

Proclaim uses plastic water bottles labeled with the #1 on the bottom; these bottles have the same chemical make-up as polyester, which is called PET, or technically known as polyethylene terephthalate.

Plastic bottles are first sorted, washed and chopped into flakes. The clean flakes are blended, melted and turned into REPREVE recycled chips. Finally, the chips enter an innovative extrusion and texturing process and get transformed into fibers.

REPREVE is the only fiber with UTRUST, which certifies recycled content claims through traceable FiberPrint technology. The fibers used are BPA-free, certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) for recycled content claims. They have received the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, ensuring that they are free of harmful levels of more than 100 restricted chemicals.

Melanin bearers, rejoice!