The Novados Story
With family always at the forefront, Novados is the combination of founder Ashanté Nicole's parents' origins;
Nova Scotia and Barbados.
With maternal lineage from Nova Scotia, the love of crocheting and knitting was formed when Ashanté learned how to crochet and knit at the age of four. The draw to the ocean and swimwear is derived from her her paternal Bajan lineage.
About Ashanté Nicole
Ashanté Nicole is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. She received a B.S. in International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries and an A.A.S in Fashion Merchandising Management.
After deepening her extensive knowledge of the fashion industry by working for six years in retail, her focus was wardrobing the customer. This allowed her to develop and fine-tune her eye for style. Her entry into the fashion world began in 2008 when she volunteered backstage for NYFW and has been in love ever since.
Upon receiving an internship opportunity in the BET wardrobe department, it became even more apparent to her that her heart was in wardrobing. As a stylist, she has worked with designers including Fashion Runway Alumni Malan Breton, The Sachika Twins, and retailers including Loehmanns, and more.
In the years since, she has worked with celebrity photographers Anthony Winters and Christopher Kolk; obtained print placements in Elle, 20/20, Raine and Bella Magazine, and contributed wardrobe advice to Retail Me Not. Her greatest accomplishment was being the lead stylist for the Malan Breton Fantôme runway presentation during New York Fashion Week.
Over the last decade, she has also fine-tuned her skills as a digital marketing expert, working as a shoot producer and public relations manager. Past fashion clients include Project Runway Alumni Jason Troisi and Malan Breton, Nude Barre hosiery, BM Franklin & Co hats, and Activist Eyewear.