Our Story
HELLO SHADE began with a problem I had been trying to solve for years.
Never fully trusting sunscreen alone, I wanted wearable sun protection - especially for my hands and arms, the areas most exposed to the sun and often the first to show signs of aging. I longed to create something high-quality and fashionable: not just for driving, but for walking around, running errands, and living everyday life. Something functional that could complement an outfit and feel intentional - not medical or disposable.
But for a long time, the timing never felt right - personally, creatively, or culturally.
Then, about a year ago, everything changed on a road trip to Palm Springs.
I was wearing some cheap arm bands from Amazon - the only option available at the time - and my friend Shannon had cut up her daughter’s wool, yellow leggings to cover her arms. We looked ridiculous and couldn’t stop laughing. Then she looked at me and said, “Someone really needs to do something about this, Nikki.”
I told her I’d been wanting to - I just didn’t have a name.
She glanced down and said, “Shade. It’s like shade for your skin.”
It was an instant aha moment. And HELLO SHADE was born.
As the sleeves began to take shape, I leaned into what I know best as a designer: thoughtful details, everyday function, and pieces that feel personal. Months were spent testing fabrics, refining patterns, and dialing in proportions - because good design takes time.
During that process, I naturally returned to another long-standing creative instinct of mine: collecting and reimagining vintage objects. For years, I had been drawn to small folding knives found at local markets - not as weapons, but as tools, symbols of utility, independence, and quiet strength. Translating those forms into jewelry felt intuitive. The same design philosophy applied: functional inspiration, elevated execution, and meaning behind the piece.
What began as sun protection evolved into something broader - a collection of functional accessories designed with intention. Pieces meant to protect, empower, and elevate everyday life.
Today, HELLO SHADE is built both online and in real life - through community pop-ups across Southern California and ongoing conversations with women around the country. We listen closely, learning what women want, what they love, and where there is room to innovate. Those conversations shape every piece we create.
HELLO SHADE® is now a California lifestyle brand rooted in quality, community, and style. From shade sleeves to meaningful jewelry, we create functional accessories designed to move with you through everyday life - effortless, intentional, and made to last.
We’re so glad you’re here.
Join us by signing up for our email list or connecting with us on social as we take you along for the journey - the good, the bad, and all the shade along the way.
With love ( & shade ),
Nicole
Founder + Designer, HELLO SHADE®