Join the Conversation...

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUND + STYLE

AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC

The Intersection of Sound + Style: A Conversation + Museum Tour
Friday, October 15, 6pm - 8:30pm
National Museum of African American Music 
510 Broadway
Ticket $35 (limited availability)

Please join us this Friday, October 15 for The Intersection of Sound + Style: A Conversation + Museum Tour presented by the National Museum of African American Music. NMAAM's mission is to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. This special engagement with Nashville Fashion Week will also highlight the central role of how these artists and musicians have and will continue to lead the way with their impact on style and fashion trends. Nashville Fashion Week has enlisted Charles Brown and Bentley Caldwell as style ambassadors for the event. Enjoy a cocktail reception, an interactive tour of the museum and engaging conversation that will be moderated by the NMAAM's Senior Director of Education and Exhibition, Tamar Smithers. Panelists include these two stylish Nashville entrepreneurs and the NMAAM's curator Dr. Steven Lewis. Join the conversation on how the prominent influence of black culture and music impacts both style and the fashion industry.

Charles Brown is a Nashville native and founder of Charles Lord, a design and consulting firm founded in 2005 specializing in custom apparel & accessories, hand-made, sustainable fashion good, fashion, interior and event styling. Charles has worked and volunteered in the local LGBTQI community for over twelve years with Brothers and Sisters United Network, Nashville Black Pride, Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and MyHouse Nashville.

Retail brought Bentley Caldwell to Nashville, and since that time, he’s been both a singer-songwriter and model traveling the world before combining all he learned to found Bentley Caldwell Styling. When a friend asked for advice on how to dress for a photo shoot, the bells went off. Now, he works exclusively with men and helps them uncover their personal style, take the guesswork out of shopping and access the confidence to elevate their lives and businesses to the next level.

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Nashville Fashion Week needs your financial support and encouragement to continue doing what we do year after year. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation of $20, or more if you can, to further the mission of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Every dollar you give will make a difference within our community for years to come. This is #whynfw!

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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. The last day to receive the second shot of Moderna or Pfizer or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson prior to the October events is September 27. For anyone that 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 at all times at indoor events. 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 12+ 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.

Nashville Fashion Week Kicks Off Today! Why Your $20 Matters...

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2021 IS HERE

Please Donate $20 To Support
The Nashville Fashion Week Runway Shows + Nashville Fashion Forward Fund

DID YOU KNOW?

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is an endowed fund that supports the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee by providing a financial award and resources for experential professional development opportunities through an application process each year. Nashville Fashion Week has invested more than $1.3 million into our community since 2011 to provide an annual opportunity for our community to celebrate and showcase local creative talent while providing financial awards to nine Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients. Funds are raised through Nashville Fashion Week, our annual five-day volunteer-led and run event, to spotlight Nashville's growing fashion community with an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support of our creative community through the generosity and support of donors, sponsors and ticket sales with all proceeds benefiting the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT NOW?

The devastating tornado and pandemic cancelled Nashville Fashion Week just two weeks before we were to celebrate our 10 year anniversary that featured over 100 community events. When our team came to the difficult conclusion that we still wouldn't be able to safely gather in August of 2020, we planned and executed NFW Digital Experience which garnered 6,874 unique viewers with 132,360 impressions. This was an alternative way to showcase all nineteen Middle Tennessee designers who had originally planned to showcase their runway collections in April. We also realized the residual hurdles that had impacted our fashion community. Despite having no revenue stream or opportunity to sell tickets since April of 2019, Nashville Fashion Week issued each 2020 designer a $500 gift from the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund to help them weather the challenging times, but most importantly, we wanted to remind them to keep going.

HOW DID WE REIMAGINE NFW 2021?

As you know, Covid-19 surged again in the Spring of 2021 which is when we annually celebrate Nashville Fashion Week, but by early summer things were looking up. We felt the weight of the Nashville fashion community - Two years was way too long for our community to be apart, so we knew it was vital to IMAGINE safe ways to showcase and support our fashion community this fall.

Designers who previously applied and were selected to participate their collections at NFW 2020 but were unable to present their collections on the runway due to our pivot to digital programming in 2020 were invited back to participate in NFW 2021. This week, fifteen Middle Tennessee designers will be given an innovative platform to present their collections and brands to a global audience. As part of NFW's new membership to the CFDA Connects inaugural program, our 2021 designer runway collections will launch digitally launch this week, first for VIP Pass holders and later in the week at no charge to the public. This access will include streaming their runway presentation, viewing their collection, lookbook and with the ability to shop their collection on CFDA's Runway360 website.

THE REALITY?

The runway presentations were safely and professionally filmed a closed set last month at OZ Arts Nashville by Middle Tennessee State University’s Marketing and Communications team with production design by Bright Event Productions. The amount of resources, time and dedicated individuals that have contributed efforts to producing the digital programming is astounding. Nashville Fashion Week would not exist, let alone, produce events and activate programming without these vital people and community partners.

FULL TRANSPARENCY 

REGARDLESS OF HOW STRONG OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE OR HOW CREATIVE WE CAN GET WITH RESOURCES AND EFFICIENCIES, WE STILL NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK KEEPS GOING.

Nashville Fashion Week 2021 has been re-imagined this fall to safely explore, test and shape the future of Nashville fashion in a meaningful way through strategic partnerships and collaborations with both local and global industry leaders. We look forward to connecting with you this week for an engaging schedule of both digital and live programming.

Nashville Fashion Week needs your financial support and encouragement to continue doing what we do year after year. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation of $20, or more if you can, to further the mission of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Every dollar you give will make a difference within our community for years to come. This is #whynfw! 

Thank you for your support! 

Team NFW

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NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK KICKS OFF TODAY!

Nashville Fashion Week IMAGINE 2021 kicks off this afternoon with a special VIP Tour at Prange Apparel followed by two more VIP events at The Westin Nashville and the Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter panel discussion and tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum tomorrow. It's not too late to get in on all of these events and experiences. Purchase your VIP Pass NOW!  

Join NFW for three FREE Learning Labs, The Intersection of Sound + Style: A Conversation + Museum Tour presented by the National Museum of African American Music and the Shop Nashville Pop Up Market at oneC!TY. A limited number of VIP Passes and tickets to Friday's National Museum of African American Music event are the only tickets available for purchase this year ($35).. All other events are FREE or are included in the VIP Pass..

Our entirely re-imagined schedule is HERE for you to conveniently access. Available tickets to official NFW events can still be obtained at NashvilleFashionWeek.com, but they're going fast!

DAY 1 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 

Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter Panel Discussion 

October 12, 2021, 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m. for gallery access)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum 
222 Rep. John Lewis Way Sout

Drawing from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's exhibit galleries and extensive collection of stage costumes and archival materials, Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter — an exhibition curated exclusively for online audiences and free-to-access HERE — examines the dazzling artistry of Western-wear designers whose couture fashions helped to create an indelible image for country music. In partnership with Nashville Fashion Week, the museum will host a program examining the emergence of this unique “rhinestone cowboy” look in the 1940s and 1950s, largely from the tailor shops of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, and how the style has inspired fashion far beyond the stages of barn dances and honky-tonks.

Panelists include acclaimed author, historian and filmmaker Holly George-Warren (How the West Was Worn, Public Cowboy #1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry, Janis: Her Life and Music); modern-day “rodeo tailor” Jerry Lee Atwood, whose bespoke designs for his Union Western label have been commissioned by performers as varied as Americana artist Nikki Lane, Post Malone and genre-blending “Old Town Road” writer-performer, Lil Nas X; and singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Scruggs, who currently plays bass in Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlatives band and fronts his own group, the Stone Fox Five. The panel will be moderated by Brenda Colladay, vice president of museum services at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Free program access at CountryMusicHallofFame.org, and the museum’s YouTube and Facebook. Limited program tickets are still available with museum admission HERE and are also included in the NFW VIP Pass or click the big pink button above to watch the live stream on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for FREE.

Your Guide to NFW 2021

YOUR GUIDE TO NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2021

Nashville Fashion Week officially kicks off on Monday. Will you join us?

The entirely re-imagined schedule is HERE for you to conveniently access.

Don't have a VIP Pass yet? It's not too late to get in on all of these events and experiences. Purchase your VIP Pass NOW before we sell out. You may also reserve and purchase individual tickets to events at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. Make plans now to support and experience Nashville's fashion community.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

VIP | HOW FASHION IS MADE TOUR + MIXER 
Presented by Prange Apparel
4 - 6 PM

VIP Pass holders will enjoy an interactive open house and private tour to Prange Apparel to gain insight into the process and innovation of how fashion is made right here in Nashville. This is a private event for NFW VIP Pass holders ONLY.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

VIP | NFW VIP MIXER 
Presented by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce at The Westin Nashville
5 - 7 PM 

This is a private event for NFW VIP Pass holders ONLY. Enjoy the tunes of DJ Maggie Wells while enjoying light bites from The Westin and cocktails provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow. This is a private event for NFW VIP Pass holders ONLY.

VIP | COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM "SUITING THE SOUND: THE RODEO TAILORS WHO MADE COUNTRY STARS SHINE BRIGHTER" PANEL DISCUSSION 
Presented by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
7 - 9 PM (Doors Open at 6 PM)

In partnership with Nashville Fashion Week, the museum will host a program examining the emergence of this unique “rhinestone cowboy” look in the 1940s and 1950s, largely from the tailor shops of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, and how the style has inspired fashion far beyond the stages of barn dances and honky-tonks. Limited program tickets are available with museum admission HERE and are also included in the NFW VIP Pass.

Our 2021 designer runway collections will launch digitally on Tuesday for VIP Pass holders and on Wednesday for the public. Stay tuned for more information on how to support and view.

All three of the NFW Learning Labs are designed to support and showcase the local fashion community by providing a platform to engage, learn and connect. Each of the immersive educational sessions offer a FREE opportunity to grow and imagine.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13

LOW TICKET ALERT: ONLY 5 TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE

Our Learning Lab series begins on Wednesday, October 13 with "Make + Innovate: A Fashion Manufacturing Open House and Tour" at Prange Apparel. From designers and students to curious fashion lovers, we invite anyone and everyone who are interested to attend this interactive open house and tour to gain insight into the process and innovation of how fashion is made. The 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient, Megan Prange of Prange Apparel will share the step-by-step process of how garments are manufactured right here in Nashville, Tennessee. From the initial consultation to development of tech packs and the creation of muslin samples to shipping the final product, this event will give a guided tour of the business of fashion while also offering an opportunity to have your questions answered while enjoying a tour of a facility where fashion is at work!

Two timed sessions are available to choose from beginning at 4 and again at 5 p.m. Registration is FREE and includes a NFW x Prange Apparel goody bag. Refreshments will be served featuring Tito's Handmade Vodka and Blade & Bow Bourbon.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

ONLY 30 TICKETS ARE LEFT!

TikTok, Tech & Trends: The Evolving Business of Fashion will be presented in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the WB Collective Powered By WBEC South on Thursday, October 14 at the WB Collective Nashville. 

This interactive panel discussion will offer varying perspectives on evolutionary business practices in the fashion and retail industry. This event will also include an opportunity to shop a curated selection of #Nashpreneurs pop-up shops and time to network while enjoying light bites and refreshments provided by Titos Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow.

The panel will be moderated by Phala Mire, President and CEO of WBEC South. Panelists include Steven Romeo, Founder/CEO, Music City Creative; Trinity Wiles, Co-Founder, Where and Share Inc.; and Anna Caroline Toms, Owner, LA Green Nashville.

Pop-up vendors will include Music City Creative, LA Green, Neta's Natural, Kandles by Kierra along with Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients Prange Apparel + Innovate by Prange Apparel, Black by Maria Silver, Eric Adler Clothing, Van Hoang and others.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

ONLY 20 TICKETS ARE LEFT! 

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.

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. 

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHTS

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATIONS | 12 - 12:20 PM
Deanna Meador, CEO of Couture Technologies and Shannon North, Director of Design Technology at Workwear Outfitters
Q & A | 12:20 - 12:30 PM   

DESIGNING FOR IMPACT | 12:30 - 12:50 PM 
Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Founder of Interwoven 
Q & A | 12:50 - 1:00 PM 

ADAPTIVE FASHION | 1 - 1:20 PM
Stephanie Brakefield and Mary Cayten Brakefield, Co-founders of Brakefields
Q & A | 1:20 - 1:30 PM 

INNOVATION SHOWCASES & NETWORKING | 1:30 - 2:00 PM

Join us on October 15 for The Intersection of Sound + Style: A Conversation + Museum Tour presented by the National Museum of African American Music. NMAAM's mission is to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. This special engagement with Nashville Fashion Week will also highlight the central role of how these artists and musicians have and will continue to lead the way with their impact on style and fashion trends. Nashville Fashion Week has enlisted Charles Brown and Bentley Caldwell as style ambassadors for the event. Enjoy a cocktail reception feauturing Tito's Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow, an interactive tour of the museum and engaging coversation about the prominent influence of black culture and music on the fashion industry with the NMAAM’s curator Dr. Steven Lewis and these two stylish Nashville men, moderated by the NMAAM's Senior Director of Education and Exhibition, Tamar Smithers.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

Nashville Fashion Week has hosted Shop Nashville, a city-wide celebration designed to encourage and support the Nashville retail community with creative and interactive ways to support our Nashville businesses, since our inception in 2011. While our runway format puts the focus on apparel creators, for this year we have created an opportunity for Middle Tennessee’s creative maker and retail community as well. Seven NFW designers and a diverse selection of twenty-five fashion-related vendors will showcase their brands at the first Shop Nashville Pop Up Market presented by oneC1TY on Saturday, October 16 from 12 - 4 p.m. 10% of all vendor sales will be donated to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to show their support for our local fashion community.

Proceeds from all Nashville Fashion Week events benefit 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. This is #WHYNFW!

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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. 

NFW To Present Free Shop Nashville Pop Up Market at oneC1TY

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK TO PRESENT
FREE SHOP NASHVILLE POP UP MARKET AT ONEC1TY

IMAGINE Nashville Fashion Week 2021 is just a few days away and tickets are going fast for our three FREE Learning Labs and The Intersection of Sound + Style: A Conversation + Museum Tour presented by the National Museum of African American Music. 

A very limited number of NFW VIP Passes that feature a medley of special VIP events are still available. Visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com to view the full schedule and reserve your tickets. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

Nashville Fashion Week has hosted Shop Nashville, a city-wide celebration designed to encourage and support the Nashville retail community with creative and interactive ways to support our Nashville businesses, since our inception in 2011. While our runway format puts the focus on apparel creators, for this year we have created an opportunity for Middle Tennessee’s creative maker and retail community as well. Seven NFW designers and a diverse selection of twenty-five fashion-related vendors will showcase their brands at the first Shop Nashville Pop Up Market presented by oneC1TY on Saturday, October 16 from 12 - 4 p.m. 

10% of all vendor sales will be donated to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to show their support for our local fashion community. 

Enjoy the outdoor shopping experience with refreshments provided by Tito's Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow from Kindred Bar Catering while enjoying the tunes of DJ Maggie Wells. Maggie is an all-vinyl resident DJ at The Virgin Hotel and Dive Motel, as well as a founding member of the DJ collective, Carousel, that throws weekly dance parties at Rosemary & Beauty Queen and White Limozeen. She is also the co-founder of the Best of Nashville award-winning art event machine, Be Witched. Keep up with her future events by following @maggie_vanderbilt on Instagram, including the NFW VIP Mixer at The Westin Nashville for VIP Pass holders. Please click the ticket link above to register for this event so that we can plan our refreshments accordingly. 

"We at oneC1TY are long-standing supporters of the work that Nashville Fashion Week has contributed to our community and wanted to continue contributing in a meaningful way since we believe that Nashville is home to progressive thinkers, the most innovative minds in technology, and a thriving community of makers and creators. We are thrilled to be hosting an open-air Shop Nashville marketplace on our community lawn to close out the NFW programming this year." - Caitlin Arnold, Community & Marketing Manager, oneC1TY

oneC1TY is a collection of residents, visitors, workplace innovators, fitness instructors and culinary artists gathered on 19 acres in West Nashville to bring about a new way of life – one that is focused on the enjoyment of health, wellness and physical activity. Our mission is to make mindful, healthy living, easy … please join us at oneC1TY to learn more! 

2021 SHOP NASHVILLE POP UP MARKET VENDORS:

Aesthetic Rose Boutique
Article X
Ash From Nash
Be Jeweled Boutique
Black by Maria Silver
Black Sheep Goods
Emily Phillips
Erica Knicely
Everybody vs. Racism
Fless Clothing
Grace Loves Lace

Hogwash 'n Rhinestones
Ineffable Art
Libby Jason Style Expert
Lily Guilder
Love, Peace and Zin
Mary Violet Woosley
Ola Mai
Papier Doll Factory
Parlour Vintage Clothing
Rank & Sugar
Rebeline

Sequel
Sick Dye
Staying Young
The Antithesis Collection
The Closet Experience
The Morgan Factory
The Style Pantry
Verderame
Wayne Vintage
Zinnialou

Visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com for full details on all of these events and links to each vendor's website. Please make plans to shop and support all of these vendors next week. Our independent businesses need us now more than ever!

NFW Learning Lab Presented by The Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center

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.

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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.