Ten years ago, her career began in the hushed luxury of Barneys’ studio services, styling a clientele who lived and breathed fashion at its highest tier. It was a dream role on paper, but she quickly discovered that the glossy world of personal styling wasn’t for her. A stint in corporate fashion confirmed it: something was missing.
The turning point arrived, as many modern origin stories do, during lockdown. Restless at home, she casually posted a TikTok of her shoes—Dior Galliano dice mules, rare treasures she happened to own. The comments poured in, all asking the same question: Where can we get them?
That moment sparked an idea. With a small jewelry brand already running, she experimented by listing 10 pairs of vintage shoes on her website. They sold out in less than a minute. The message was loud and clear: women wanted shoes with personality, and she was going to be the one to bring them.
The Birth of Nou
From that experiment came Nou, her now cult-favorite platform for sourcing and selling vintage shoes, clothing, and homeware. What sets Nou apart isn’t just the curation but her ethos: she refuses to gatekeep. “Even if you walked into the same place I did, you’d leave with a completely different set of pieces,” she explains. Every item in the studio is something she would wear herself, and that personal lens gives the collection its magic.
Nou has since expanded into vintage-inspired design. The brand’s first original shoe—a peep-toe leopard pony-hair pump—sold out instantly. Next up: a sleek satin mule available in both timeless black and a yet-to-be-revealed statement color. “It’s sexy, it’s classic, and it’s very Nou,” she teases.
Skin, Glow, and Rituals
While her career took an unexpected path, her approach to beauty has remained steady: considered but never overcomplicated. Her skincare routine is streamlined—no cleansing in the morning, just moisture and glow. Right now, Rhode’s cleanser anchors her routine, while discoveries from Marta Mae’s Air Milkshake gifting suite (Skinfix and Medik8) have earned permanent spots in her lineup.
The Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide cream turned out to be a game-changer, as did their Activating Serum. At night, she leans on Medik8’s Liquid Peptides for extra hydration, Living Libations’ Ensorcell oil serum for glow, and the gentle yet effective Crystal Retinal, which she uses every other evening. And then there’s the Saltyface Tanning Water, her secret weapon for even, radiant skin.
Her journey hasn’t been without hurdles. During the mask-heavy days of COVID, she developed severe perioral dermatitis. Relief came through a combination of Cerave diaper rash cream and regular facials with Lana Barra, an esthetician who has become both confidante and skin whisperer. “She can look at me and immediately know if I’ve been stressed, partying, or traveling,” she laughs.
Body, Scent, and the Art of Indulgence
For the body, her philosophy leans into nourishment and ritual. Every morning she drenches herself in Osea’s Undaria Algae body oil, followed by Saie’s Glowy Super Gel for a luminous finish. A touch of Byredo’s Gypsy Water lotion adds an indulgent layer—so precious, she admits, that she often reserves it just for her hands.
Her scent rituals extend beyond traditional perfume. She begins mornings with Kate’s Magik Sun of Success oil, a citrusy brightener she considers an “anointment.” Osea’s vagus nerve oil calms stress, applied gently along her neck and hairline. And for an everyday uplift, she mists Rare Beauty’s Find Comfort, which doubles as a personal fragrance.
Weekly baths are non-negotiable: she soaks in Dr. Teal’s eucalyptus salts, lights a Trudon Gabriel candle, and queues her “bathtub dreaming” playlist for a full sensory reset.
Makeup, Brows, and Lashes
Her makeup staples lean minimal yet polished. Saie’s Beauty Slip Tint SPF 35 provides coverage and protection, layered with Merit’s Flush Balm and the forever-favorite Benefit Hoola bronzer. For nights out, she reaches for Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Saie’s Super Skin foundation, and the versatile Westman Atelier Face Trace contour stick in Biscuit.
Eyeshadow isn’t her thing—she prefers bronzer or a golden-toned highlighter used on the lids for subtle shimmer. Brows and lashes, however, are a priority. Every three months she books lash lifts and brow lamination at Lisa Brows + Beauty. “It just makes mornings so much easier,” she admits. For touch-ups, she keeps Subtl Beauty’s Brow BFF and Ilia’s Limitless mascara on hand.
On lips, Tower 28’s liner in Work of Art and Dior Lip Glow in Pink strike the perfect balance: effortless but polished.
Hair and Nails: Low-Maintenance Luxe
After years of platinum blonde upkeep, she returned to her natural brunette—and hasn’t looked back. Her routine now is simple: Davines Nounou shampoo and conditioner, occasional blowouts with the Dyson Airwrap, and a finishing touch of Crown Affair hair oil.
Nails are part of her brand identity. A French pedicure is non-negotiable—she insists it helps sell shoes. For hands, she’s loyal to OPI’s Big Apple Red, a classic she’s worn for years. “I’ve toned down from my Jersey days of lash extensions and long acrylics,” she laughs, “but there’s still a little Jersey in me.”
Style, Beauty, and the Bigger Picture
Her evolution—from Barneys stylist to founder of a cult brand—mirrors her approach to beauty: intuitive, self-directed, and always a little playful. Whether she’s sourcing a one-of-a-kind mule, sharing the moisturizer that changed her skin, or talking about the “slutty little toes” her friends lovingly tease her about, her influence feels rooted in honesty.
Nou may have started with a single TikTok, but its success proves that style today is about more than clothes or shoes—it’s about perspective, ritual, and the confidence to own what feels good. And if her journey says anything, it’s that sometimes the best business plan is simply following your instincts—and listening when the girls want shoes.
