NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES
FASHION X DESIGN INNOVATION LEARNING LAB FOR 2021
PRESENTED BY THE WOND'RY, VANDERBILT’S INNOVATION CENTER
Nashville Fashion Week is excited to announce our third FREE Learning Lab for 2021. NFW is designed to showcase and support the local fashion community by providing educational opportunities to engage, learn and connect experientially within the Nashville community. The Fashion x Design Innovation Learning Lab will be presented by the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center on Friday, October 15 at noon.
Nashville Fashion Week is partnering with the Wond’ry to explore the latest innovations in design, technology, and adaptive fashion. Hear thought leaders speak to the emerging trends in the industry. This two-hour session features three industry spotlights, Q&A with esteemed presenters, interactive innovation booths, and networking opportunities. Join Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center for a fashion-forward line up of presenters.
“We are thrilled to partner with Nashville Fashion Week in showcasing innovations and trends in technology, design, and adaptive fashion in the industry. Creativity is at the core of the vision of the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center, and it is truly a delight to collaborate with an organization promoting and capturing innovation in Nashville’s fashion community.” - Dave Owens, Evans Family Executive Director of the Wond’ry
FASHION x DESIGN INNOVATION LEARNING LAB
Presented by the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center
Friday, October 15 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Wond'ry
2414 Highland Avenue, Suite 102, Nashville, TN, 3721
Admission: FREE ticket with registration
Fashion x Design Innovation Learning Lab panelists include Deanna Meador, CEO of Couture Technologies; Shannon North, Director of Design Technology at Workwear Outfitters; Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Founder of Interwoven; and Stephanie Brakefield and Mary Cayten Brakefield, Co-founders of Brakefields.
Deanna Meador is the CEO of Couture Technologies and the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt University’s Innovation Center. Her company Couture Technologies, was formed to empower apparel companies with cutting edge tools to enhance their customer experience, in turn reducing return rates and increasing conversions. Couture is funded by the National Science Foundation and has developed a novel virtual try on technology and automated 3D garment creation system. Deanna is a serial entrepreneur and inventor and received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from her undergraduate university for her innovations.
Shannon North currently leads 3D design, pattern making and technical design for Workwear Outfitters in Nashville, Tennessee. During her 25-year career, she has held roles in teaching, merchandising, product development, and design in couture, footwear, and workwear apparel markets. She is most passionate about bringing 3D design capabilities and solutions to the apparel industry to promote sustainable practices.
Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman is the founder of Interwoven Design Group, where she combines her expertise in wearable technology and smart textiles. Some of her latest projects include "BioWear," a kinetic accessory that communicates the wearer's emotions; Remo Haptics, a wearable sports training device; and the Delta Glove by PureCarbon. She is also the author of Smart Textiles for Designers; Inventing the Future of Fabrics, and former design director at Nike, Champion and Fila. A pioneering researcher in design methodologies and smart materials, her latest work includes the Apex exosuit by HeroWear and the redesign of the Miami Dolphins Cheer Squad uniforms.
After Graduating from Vanderbilt with a Master's in Special Education, Stephanie Brakefield started her career as a teacher, transitioned to raising her four children full time, then worked with hundreds of students at her kids' schools to create programs to support all students. She now uses her background and love of design and art to create universally designed clothes for women. Her active lifestyle has shown her firsthand how important it is to have clothes that move with you, and as she ages, she has seen that at some point that everyone experiences declines in our ability levels. Stephanie's favorite part of creating this brand is getting to work with her daughter to solve problems that arise when getting dressed with a disability!
Mary Cayten Brakefield is a Nashville native and graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Retail & Consumer Sciences. She was a member of the UT swim team and has brought her athletic background into creating clothes that allow for free movement throughout the day. Between getting to work with adaptive athletes in college and experiencing changes in her own ability level soon after, she became passionate about universally designed products. Growing up in a vibrant, colorful home with her fashionable mother Stephanie, Mary Cayten loved fun clothes from the start and is excited to infuse colorful fashion into functional clothing. She can't think of a better partner to work with than her mom to create fashionable, functional designs and support the rest of the adaptive industry.
While we are excited to gather both digitally and in person for NFW 2021, the health and safety of our guests, participants and team remains our top priority. A full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test will be required to attend or participate in any Nashville Fashion Week 2021 event.
NFW strongly encourages vaccination. For anyone who is not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 48 hours of attending any event. NFW now requires that everyone must wear a mask indoors at all times. This protocol is based on current CDC standards. Any changes to these procedures will be communicated prior to each event
COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to all Tennesseans ages 12 and up in all 95 counties across our state. Find a location close to you at VaccineFinder.org to insure that you’ve done your part to keep NFW 2021 and our community safe for everyone.