Hidden Gems: Meet Maria Hayes of House of Nova

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Hayes.

Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really starts with recognizing a gap—and deciding not to wait for permission to fill it. I saw so many talented models, designers, and creatives being overlooked, not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked access. The industry can be incredibly gatekept, and I knew early on that I didn’t just want to participate in it, I wanted to challenge it.

That mindset is what led me to create House of Nova. It wasn’t just about building a brand; it was about building a platform that shifts how emerging talent is discovered, developed, and seen. I wanted to create real opportunities, runway experiences, high-level content, and spaces that feel just as impactful as traditional fashion stages, but without the barriers that usually come with them.

There have been challenges, of course. Building something from the ground up means learning in real time, making tough decisions, and staying committed even when things don’t go as planned. But every obstacle has reinforced the vision: this isn’t just about fashion, it’s about access, ownership, and redefining what opportunity looks like for the next generation of creatives.

Today, House of Nova is growing into more than I initially imagined. We’re expanding into new cities, producing larger-scale experiences, and continuing to build a community that’s rooted in both creativity and purpose. The goal has never been to follow the industry standard—it’s to create a new one.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road? Not even close—more like a series of pivots, plot twists, and a few “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments.

Building House of Nova from the ground up has come with its fair share of challenges. From navigating limited resources to coordinating large-scale productions, to moments where things simply didn’t go as planned, this journey has definitely tested me. There have been last-minute changes, unexpected setbacks, and times where I had to make big decisions quickly with very little room for error.

On top of that, creating something that challenges the traditional structure of the fashion industry isn’t always met with immediate understanding. When you’re building something new, people don’t always see the vision right away and part of the process is standing firm in it anyway.

But honestly, the struggles have been some of the most valuable parts of the journey. They’ve forced me to be resourceful, adaptable, and very clear on my “why.” If anything, the challenges didn’t slow things down, they refined the vision and made the foundation stronger.

At this point, I don’t expect a smooth road, I expect growth. And usually, the two don’t come together.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
House of Nova is a fashion platform built to give emerging talent real access to the industry, not just visibility, but experience. We work with models, designers, and creatives to help them build their portfolios, develop their presence, and step into professional-level opportunities through runway shows, content creation, and curated fashion experiences.

What we specialize in is creating environments that feel as impactful as traditional fashion spaces, while still being accessible to those who are often overlooked. Whether it’s producing multi-look runway shows, pop-up experiences in unique locations, or high-quality visual content, everything we do is designed to elevate talent and prepare them for the next level.

What sets House of Nova apart is that we’re not just putting on shows, we’re building a pipeline. We’re intentional about development, exposure, and community. A lot of platforms focus on one moment; we focus on the journey. We’re creating consistent opportunities for creatives to grow, not just be seen once.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the impact. Seeing someone walk in one of our shows, gain confidence, build their portfolio, and then go on to book other opportunities…that’s the real success. It’s about creating a space where people feel like they belong in the industry, not like they’re trying to break into something that wasn’t built for them.

I want readers to know that House of Nova is more than a fashion brand, it’s a movement centered around access, growth, and redefining what opportunity looks like in this industry. We’re here to open doors, but also to change who gets to walk through them.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’ll say this…don’t wait for the industry to validate you before you start moving like you belong in it.

Everything I’ve built started with a decision to move forward, even without perfect timing, perfect resources, or guaranteed outcomes. If you have a vision, you have a responsibility to pursue it, consistently and unapologetically.

As for House of Nova, we’re just getting started. What you’re seeing now is the foundation, not the peak. There are bigger stages, wider reach, and deeper impact ahead.

We’re not here to fit into the industry…….we’re here to shift it.

And the next phase? It’s going to be undeniable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.houseofnova.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novarisingoffical/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563309643938