Abi Ferrin
Abi Ferrin | Dallas, Texas
2014 | 2013
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Abi Ferrin has been passionate about sewing since a young age. In 2007, Abi was named Texas’ Next Top Designer and in 2010 was selected to be the featured designer of the NFL wives at the SuperBowl. Besides designing to make women feel confident and beautiful, Abi makes her clients partners in empowering women through her Freedom Project.
Abi Ferrin is the versatile and sophisticated fashion brand that provides a chic solution for women of all ages and body types. With supreme fit, unique style and comfort as key elements throughout her collections, Abi Ferrin’s effortless essentials inspire women to feel confident and beautiful. Abi Ferrin is created in the USA, and partners with organizations that rescue women out of abusive employment globally.
Black by Maria Silver
Maria (Poni) Silver | Nashville, TN
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2018
2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient
2016 Fashion Forward Rising Star Award
Designer Maria Silver graduated from F.I.T. (NYC) in women's contemporary clothing and costume design. After working on Broadway, also in NYC and LA as a design assistant, and touring the world drumming for cult rock band The Ettes, she founded her fashion line, Black By Maria Silver, in 2011. BBMS has been featured in Nylon, Bust, Refinery 29, StyleBlueprint, Elle, and others. More recently, Silver designed for the critically acclaimed Nashville Ballet production 7 Deadly Sins, and in 2017, opened her first BBMS storefront in East Nashville.
Blooming Leopold
Lauren Winter | Portland, OR
2013
Lauren Winter is a self-taught designer whose love of history and art influences the designs she creates with Blooming Leopold. Her fall collection features hand-dyed, sustainable fabrics and colorful prints inspired by a combination of abstract art and post-war Japanese film.
CORELLO
Melissa Core & Rick Ceballo | Nashville, TN
2013
Corello is a line made by Australian designers Melissa Core and Rick Ceballo, who are both based in Nashville, TN. Corello is influenced by the music industry and and features rockin’ fashion and accessories for men and women. Corello is the expression of unity between two soulful unique collaborative artists and creators. The intertwining of their lifestyle, passion, talents, music and fashion together forms some of the most cutting edge creative art. With two hearts and two minds comes one vision.
ELIZABETH SUZANN
Elizabeth Martucci Pape | Nashville, TN
2014 | 2013
2015 Fashion Forward Rising Star Award
Elizabeth Suzann is a self taught designer, drawn to the field of clothing because it offers the potential to be both creative and precise. Balancing imaginative design with practicality and fit is a joy and challenge for her. Her passion lies in creating a product that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Jennifer Nina Evens
Jennifer Nina Evens | Nashville, TN
2013
As a designer, Jennifer Nina Evans looks for what is considered ‘ugly’ by society standards. By seeing the beauty in the most unlikely places she is able to blur the lines between art and fashion, by creating thoughtful show-stopping looks.
KAL RIEMAN
Cally Rieman | New York, NY
2013 | 2012
presented by WONDERMODE.com (in 2012)
“Cally” Rieman began working in fashion as an apprentice for Jean Charles de Castelbajac in Paris. She moved to New York in 2002 where she mastered her knowledge in men’s tailoring as a designer for Hil ger’s H men’s line. Having admired the strength and simplicity of menswear, Cally wanted to create a collection that achieved that same sophisticated, effortless dressing for women. Her collection is marked by the breadth of her experience, “tough and chic, austerity without pretense; clothing for women that embodies the grace and ease that makes menswear so powerful.”
KAT SEATON
Kat Seaton | New York, NY
2013
Kat Seaton, Kansas City Native, moved to Nashville four years ago to study fashion design at O’More College of Design. She has been honored with several awards for her detailed design aesthetic. Kat has an eye for detail and a love for prints, colors, and bold silhouettes.
NADEAU | LAGI NADEAU
Lagilelei Nadeau | Chicago, IL
‘19 | ‘18 | ‘17 | ‘16 | ‘15 | ‘14 | ‘ 13
The Nadeau collection blends high-end sophistication with feminine styling. This distinct style is emphasized by the designer's use of luxurious fabrications mixed with interesting detailing. Nadeau creates high quality pieces made in the USA, for women who have a strong sense of self and style.
Leona
Lauren Leonard Phelps | Nashville, TN
‘14 | ‘13 | ‘12 | ‘11
2012 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient
LEONA launched in 2008 and is designed by Lauren Leonard. The collection is comprised of luxury wardrobe essentials for the modern woman. In 2013, Leonard was selected as the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. LEONA holds offices in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, as well as a retail store in Nashville’s 12 South District.
MEMEKA BY GUSTAVO CADILE
Gustavo Cadile | New York, NY
2013
presented by Gus Mayer
Born and raised in Argentina to Italian parents, Gustavo Cadile dreamed of designing. Upon graduation from the Miami International School of Art & Design, he moved to Rome to design. Fueled by his experience in Europe, Cadile moved to New York in 2007, and Gustavo Cadile, the collection was born. Memeka by Gustavo Cadile is named after his mother, “Memeka.” The collection is inspired by her elegance and it’s Cadile’s way of honoring her daily.
MODERN TROUSSEAU
2013
The distinctive designs of Modern Trousseau are the romantic creations of Australian-born designer, Callie Tein. Each design evokes classic couture while expressing a vision of modern style and sophistication. Modern Trousseau will feature a chic selection of couture wedding gowns, evening wear, and accessories with an emphasis on customization. You can shop the collection in the Modern Trousseau Nashville bridal salon which features elegant styles designed and made with love in the USA.
NONOO
Misha Nonoo | New York, NY
2013
presented by Gus Mayer
Misha Nonoo’s vision has always been to design collections with a timeless allure that encompass a couture sensibility for everyday life. Her eyes have been trained by a life of rich cultural experiences which she has woven together to create a truly innovative design vision. Nonoo encompasses traditional Savile Row tailoring with European couture sewing techniques. Misha has been named one of the top new designers to watch by publications such as W, Elle and T Magazine, the New York Times style magazine. Celebrity ambassadors include Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Pippa Middleton to name a few.
Phillip Madison
Phillip Madison | Nashville, TN
2013
Phillip Madison is designed by Phillip Johnson. Phillip interned with the legendary Manuel in Nashville, TN as well as worked under the direction of Thailand dress designer Nina D. Phillip Madison has been worn to the Country Music Awards, featured on Bravo Television and at the 2013 Stellar Awards. Phillip Madison is designed for one with sophistication and class.
Truly Alvarenga | Pink Elephants
Truly Alvarenga | Nashville, TN
‘19 | ‘18 | ‘17 | ‘16 | ‘15 | ‘14 | ‘13 | ‘12
Truly Alvarenga is known primarily for her one-of-a-kind Couture Garments, wielding an aesthetic that is both florid and unique. Admirers of her style appreciate both the meticulous craftsmanship and the colorful stories that accompany the collections.
PLENTY BY TRACY REESE
Tracy Reese |
2013
While referencing it’s bohemian roots, plenty by Tracy Reese is modern, contemporary, and effortlessly sexy. The brand has a distinctive mix of color, print, and playful details.
RED DOLL
Tatyana Merenyuk | Brooklyn, NY
2013 | 2012
Red Doll designs are classic styles with a modern twist. The line is inspired by elegant, fun and timeless women, that are found everywhere from the streets of New York City to family, friends, movies and much more. Tatyana lives in New York City, pursuing her dream of being a designer and creating beautiful clothing.
Tatyana Merenyuk grew up in the Ukraine, and from an early age, she showed a colorful taste for fashion. Merenyuk started designing her first collection in 2008, and just one year later was honored by Gen Art Chicago as one of 2009’s Fresh Faces in Fashion. Merenyuk has since moved to New York to put her line into production, but returned to Chicago last fall to participate in Fashion Focus Chicago.
SAND
Soren and Lene Sand | Los Angeles, CA
2013
presented by Levy's
Founded by Soren and Lene Sand in the 1980s, Danish Fashion house SAND has a passion for luxury Italian fabrics, tailored details and the perfect fit. Both the men’s and women’s collections combine Scandinavian silhouettes with southern European charm. It’s worn by celebrities Blake Shelton, Kirsten Dunst, Eva Mendez, Rascal Flatts and Victoria Beckham.
Sarah Jane Estes
Sarah Jane Estes | Lexington, KY
2013
Sarah Jane Estes is a Lexington, Kentucky-based women’s wear designer. Orginally from Danville, KY, Sarah Jane studied fashion design at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Nashville,TN. Her new collection for Fall 2013 features gowns that reflect on this young designer’s newly found love for bridal wear. As part of her design philosophy she incorporates the use of recycled materials such as vintage fabric and trims.
T. RAINS
Traver Rains | Los Angeles, CA
2013 | 2012 | 2011
Traver Rains, formerly of Heatherette, recently took some time off to work on his photography, and is now debuting his new line, T. Rains, his cool collection of silkscreened tees, tanks, and hoodies. In keeping with his cowboy style, the collection has a retro western feel, employing 60s pop art and images from his own photography.
Traver Rains, former co-creator of infamous fashion brand Heatherette, has since started his own line, T. Rains. The brand features a wide range of designs from silk-screened tank tops and t-shirts to custom couture dresses. His new line is a combination of influences of his Western roots as a 5th generation horse rancher and his many years of living and designing in NYC.
TRACY REESE
Tracy Reese
2013
Tracy Reese is a modern take on classic silhouettes rich with art inspired prints, beautiful color palettes, attention to details and novelty and embellishment.
TUFT
Jessica Jones | Nashville, TN
2013 | 2012
Growing up in the grunge-laden 90s and being a teenager in the bubblegum pop 2000s has made Jessica Jones’ influences an interesting mix of ugly and pretty. Jessica came to terms with this visual juxtaposition by creating her brand, TUFT. The line has a laid back sensibility paired with classic silhouettes in bright hues and bold patterns.
VOYAGE CLOTHING
Brittany Belz | Los Angeles, CA
2013
Voyage Clothing is a women’s contemporary collection that blends boho styles with a preppy chic twist. Established in 2011 by Brittany Belz the collection is eclectic and features a wide array of styles ranging from pinstripe bustier dresses to cozy boyfriend sweaters.
Headshots and bios were provided by designers in the year that they last showed. Runway photographs were provided by our Official Nashville Fashion Week Photographers - Doug Barry, Heather Byrd, Andy Evinger, Dustin Lewis, Daniel Perry Studios, Ryan Mclemore, Alaina K. Mullin, Gerry Navarrete, Studio One, Jess Williams and Eric Winton.