Jada Nicome
Story and photos by Meda Kessler
We check out the fashionable general manager of Hotel Dryce
We always ask our Personal Style subjects to wear what they think represents them the best.
As general manager of Hotel Dryce in Fort Worth, Jada Nicome’s day is never the same. This pleather shirtwaist dress (a Target find) worn with low-heel slingback flats is versatile and comfortable.
Jada Nicome arrives fresh from a business trip to Colorado dressed for her photo session and interview in a modern pleather shirtwaist dress, with a couple of garment bags in hand, as well as accessories.
“I’ve got a couple of looks, if that’s OK,” the 29-year-old says with a big smile. We’re meeting at Hotel Dryce in Fort Worth, owned in part by Nicome’s cousin, Jonathan Morris. An East Coast native, Nicome is no stranger to Cowtown thanks to numerous visits and summers spent with Morris and her Texas family. (Her uncle, Gary Randle, is co-founder of H.O.P.E. Farm, a nonprofit program aimed at helping boys get the skills needed to navigate life.)
Nicome was drawn to the nonprofit and philanthropic life early on, and she worked summers at H.O.P.E. Farm. Nicome attended Virginia’s George Mason University, majoring in public relations/communications.
Even as a young girl, she was drawn to fashion, starting a line for pets when she was 16. “My mom said I was the hat girl when
I was a kid. I still love them.” In college, she was the community liaison for Victoria’s Secret’s PINK brand.
Nicome also learned early on that style wasn’t about price tags, although she appreciates a good designer piece if it’s versatile and timeless. “In D.C., I wore more dresses for work, although jeans, blazer and a T-shirt were pretty much my uniform. I do love vintage, too.”
She worked for Madewell on the “opening” team, which oversaw setting up new stores. Nicome also managed operations and marketing at the boutique’s flagship store in D.C.
From there, she went to WeWork, taking point as the community experience lead for the collaborative workspace company. Her time there led to her volunteering for Bunker Labs’ entrepreneurship program, which helps military service members and their families maximize their potential in the business world. “I realized my time spent with them was the best part of my job,” says Nicome. She’s now the virtual community director for the Chicago-based nonprofit.
“Everyone needs a bucket hat,” says Nicome. She’s wearing Dickies overalls, a Hotel Dryce T-shirt and short leather boots.
Snif perfume is a new fragrance obsession. The handbag doubles as a wine bottle carrier.
As a self-avowed extrovert, Nicome found the COVID pandemic to be a challenge. “I was hunkered down in my D.C. apartment for months and knew I was ready for a change.”
She was privy to Hotel Dryce’s progress and had gotten to know Fort Worth better thanks to Morris, who introduced her to people and places that are part of the city’s evolving growth. She took the GM job at the hotel, found a little rental house nearby and made the move to Texas in February 2021, right before the massive winter storm hit.
Today, she’s still in the process of making the house her own. “I feel like I’m a ’70s millennial; I love the look of that era. I consider myself a bohemian Diana Ross.”
A big fan of jumpsuits and coveralls, she was familiar with the Dickies brand of industrial chic even before she moved here. The Dryce’s T-shirts are from the Fort Worth-based company, with graphic design by Chance Morgan of Morgan Mercantile, who also designed the hotel’s robes.
She adds her own flair with cotton neck scarves, a hat and simple jewelry. While she loves a good tote bag, one of her favorite handbags is a leather wine pouch with metal rings as handles. A minimalist when it comes to makeup, she is partial to interesting fragrances. One of her Instagram finds is Snif, with beautiful packaging and unique scents. (Learn more at snif.co.)
“Comfort is key, and so is being yourself,” says Nicome. “I try to achieve both with whatever I wear.”