Behind the Scenes: Nude Is Not One Shade

When I first dreamed up the Nude SKINS series, it came from a simple thought: why aren’t there nude options for pole heels? Regular fashion heels have them. Even burlesque dance heels like Bruju offer skin-tone shades. But for pole dancers? Nothing.

And yet, every dancer knows the power of a nude heel—the way it elongates the leg, blends seamlessly with your skin, and becomes a go-to, like your favorite lipstick or foundation shade. I wanted pole dancers to have that same experience: finding their perfect nude, one they’ll reach for again and again.

Meet the Girls (aka My Pole Family)

For this shoot, I didn’t want professional models. I wanted real dancers—my friends and acquaintances from the pole community. 

I literally studied their skin tones, PMS swatch book in hand, to create the right range. These weren’t just shades on a chart—they were inspired by real women I know and love.

And on shoot day? The stars aligned. All five were free on the same weekend. We had the perfect DTLA location. Our photographer, Danica, was a dream. The only catch: it was 90 degrees. The girls were sweating like crazy, but they still looked radiant.

This time I stayed behind the camera, making sure my girls were cared for, filming BTS content, and just soaking it in. Watching them shine made me so proud. I felt like a mama-san, fussing over her dancers and bursting with pride.

A Match Made in Heaven

Here’s the serendipity part: around the same time, Hella Heels released their nude bodysuits. My friend joked, “I’m staying on trend,” and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

I’ll admit, I was nervous. Ordering online is one thing, but would the bodysuit colors really match the shades I had chosen? I remember still flipping through swatches four days before the shoot, begging my printer to rush production. I wrapped heels late at night, then again the morning of the shoot—right up until the girls were getting their makeup done.

But when the bodysuits arrived? Magic. They matched beautifully. The girls loved them so much, I gifted each one as a thank you.

What This Means to Me

This collection is about more than just shoes. It’s about representation. About everyday dancers seeing themselves reflected in something as simple as a nude heel.

From Coconut Sugar to Cashew Cream, each shade was made with intention—to elongate, to protect, to blend, and to celebrate.

I just think it’s a good idea—and I hope the pole community agrees. Because nude isn’t just one shade. It’s yours.