THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD GALA SET TO CELEBRATE CREATIVITY ON FINAL NIGHT OF NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK
The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee invites the local community to celebrate and support the resolute, entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville fashion community at the third annual Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala, co-chaired by Alizah Greenberg and Gen Sohr, on Saturday, April 9 at OZ Nashville.
Nashville Fashion Week is excited to welcome Mayor Megan Barry as the keynote speaker. Mayor Barry will speak to the importance of the arts and creativity as a cornerstone of the Nashville economy. Singer-songwriter Holly Williams will join Mayor Barry and fashion designer Julianna Bass, the 2011 Nashville Fashion Forward award recipient, as guest speakers at the event. Williams will also perform during the evening’s festivities.
“The fashion industry here in Nashville is a vital component of the artistic and creative economy which is critical to the success of our city,” said Mayor Megan Barry. “It is wonderful to see fashion designers and industry leaders coming together to support their fellow fashion designers at the Nashville Fashion Forward Gala which supports the important work of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.”
The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is an endowed fund established to support the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee by providing a financial award and resources for experiential professional development opportunities.
“As a fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur here in Nashville, it is vital that we support worthy causes like the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund,” said Holly Williams. “I am looking forward to co-hosting the gala alongside Mayor Megan Barry.”
For the second year, Nashville Fashion Week will present the Nashville Fashion Forward Awards at the Gala. Award recognitions include the Nashville Style Icon, Fashion Forward, Legacy, Face of Fashion, Rising Star (sponsored by The Mall at Green Hills) and Point of View (sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka).
Individual tickets to the Gala can be purchased for $150, tables of 10 for $1,250, and sponsored tables for $2,500.
Julianna Bass has also been added to the City Lights: Ready-to-Wear Runway Show designer lineup at Legislative Plaza on April 9. The City Lights Show is sponsored by The Mall at Green Hills.
Julianna Bass is an American fashion designer who debuted her eponymous women’s collection with a runway presentation during AW15 New York Fashion Week. Bass is a Tennessee native who moved to New York to study fashion and costume design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
“It is an honor to be presenting at Nashville Fashion Week this year,” said Julianna Bass. “The brand is stretched all over the world, but there is something to be said about coming home. I was thrilled to have been awarded the first Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award, and I used it to expand my knowledge of international fashion trade shows. I traveled to the Bread & Butter Show in Berlin, Germany. And, while visiting Berlin I was so inspired that I decided to make the move from New York two years ago. My time in Berlin has given me an incredible mix of freedom and focus, where I can truly design from my authentic self. And, while I am now back in New York full time to focus on brand expansion, living in Berlin opened a world of possibilities for me both personally and professionally.”
Nashville Fashion Week is April 5 - 9 at unique locations throughout the city. The full schedule, All Access Passes and tickets to all events are now available in a range of prices at nashvillefashionweek.com. All proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
ABOUT NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK
Nashville Fashion Week is a city-wide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its vast array of creative talent. Featuring local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events throughout the week encourages both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces throughout the week with promotions, partnerships and educational workshops. NFW is founded and directed by a collaboration of fashion, retail and media professionals who have combined their passion and resources to create a completely volunteer-led and run event spotlighting Nashville's growing fashion community with a sustainable focus for philanthropic support of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.