Nashville Fashion Week Announces 2018 Plans

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES 2018 DATES AND NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH OZ ARTS NASHVILLE

Applications now open for 2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award and 2018 Emerging Designer Showcase

Nashville Fashion Week will take place April 3-7, 2018, with all runway shows taking place at OZ Arts Nashville – the first time Nashville Fashion Week shows will be held in a single location.

“We are so excited to have OZ Arts Nashville as a strategic partner and our home for all runway shows in 2018,” said Nashville Fashion Week co-founders/managing partners Connie Cathcart-Richardson and Marcia Masulla. “OZ Arts Nashville has been a long time friend and supporter of NFW having hosted the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala twice before. We held our first fashion show there last year and realized the potential of a collaboration between our two non-profit organizations. Together we plan to take Nashville Fashion Week and our creative community to the next level.”

Nashville Fashion Week has historically changed locations throughout the city each night. The 2018 event will take advantage of OZ Arts Nashville’s diverse facilities and resources to produce the unique events that Nashville Fashion Week attendees have come to expect. 

“The OZ Arts Nashville team brings great creativity and enthusiasm to every performance we host,” said OZ Arts Nashville President and CEO Tim Ozgener. “We know that Nashville Fashion Week considered many venues and are honored they chose to partner with OZ Arts Nashville.” 

The dates for the 2018 city-wide celebration of Nashville's thriving fashion and retail community were announced before a sold out crowd during the 2018 Launch Party at Nicky's Coal Fired restaurant in the Nations near OZ Arts Nashville. Nashville Fashion Week also announced the opening of applications and nominations for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s 2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award and the Nashville Fashion Week’s 2018 Emerging Designer Showcase.  

Nashville Fashion Week features local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events throughout the week to encourage both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces through promotions, partnerships and educational workshops. 

“Nashville Fashion Week initiated Nashville’s fashion storyline way back in 2011. This effort has allowed many other voices to be introduced and included in this ever-expanding creative narrative for our city. Despite all of the changes, Nashville Fashion Week has never wavered from its commitment to celebrate the people and businesses that drive Nashville fashion forward,” said Amy Fair, Vice President of The Community Foundation.

Nashville Fashion Week is founded and directed by a collaboration of fashion, retail and media professionals who have combined their passion and resources to create an all-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.

APPLY FOR THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is now seeking applicants and nominations for the 2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award. Professionals working in all aspects of the fashion industry from designers and photographers to stylists, models, hair and makeup artists, boutique owners and bloggers are encouraged to apply. Detailed instructions for submission can be found at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 

Originally established in 2011, this endowed fund supports the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee and provides financial awards and resources for experiential professional development opportunities. Previous recipients include fashion photographer Brett Warren, clothing designers Eric Bornhop, Julianna Bass and Lauren Leonard, accessory designer Ceri Hoover, and Elise Joseph, creative brand consultant, art director and founder of Pennyweight. 

Applications must arrive at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s office at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue by 4:30 p.m. CST on November 13, 2017. The award recipient is selected by a committee of the Board of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and will be notified in January 2018.

EMERGING DESIGNER APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Nashville Fashion Week seeks emerging designers to spotlight during the 2018 event. Applicants must demonstrate creativity, quality and a broad appeal to a wide range of consumers. If chosen, the emerging designer will have the opportunity to showcase their collection during Nashville Fashion Week 2018. All emerging designers interested in showing their collections are encouraged to submit their application for review.

The deadline to submit emerging designer applications is 11:59 p.m. CST on November 13, 2017. Nominations are being accepted through October 30. Emerging Designers will be notified in December and announced to the public in February at an official Nashville Fashion Week event. You can apply online at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 

Emerging Designer Criteria:

• All emerging designers are encouraged to apply, but preference will be given to those that live in or have connections to Nashville and/or Middle Tennessee
• Each collection must be original designs, debuting at Nashville Fashion Week
• Must be available to show between April 3-7, 2018.

PLEASE NOTE: Nashville Fashion Week does not charge a submission fee to apply or participate. Designers selected are responsible for their own travel and related expenses, and for transporting their collection to Nashville — as well as all costs associated with designing/creating their looks, including shoes, accessories and music for their runway show. No age restrictions or specific experience is required. However, those under 18 will need parent/guardian permission to apply.

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ABOUT THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is an endowed fund that receives proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week each year. The establishment of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund was inspired by the professional development provided by the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) through programs such as the CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund ensures that Nashville Fashion Week is not just a signature high-profile event to celebrate creativity, but also an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support.

The Community Foundation exists to promote and facilitate giving in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee and beyond. It does this by accepting gifts of any size from anyone at any time and by empowering individuals, families, companies, nonprofits, and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. The Community Foundation works with people who have great hearts, whether or not they have great wealth, to craft solutions that reflect their intentions and goals. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit CFMT.org.

ABOUT OZ ARTS NASHVILLE

Since opening in 2014, OZ Arts Nashville, a 501(c)(3) contemporary arts center, has changed the cultural landscape of the city. Housed in the former C.A.O. cigar warehouse owned by Nashville’s Ozgener family, OZ Arts Nashville, under the artistic leadership of Lauren Snelling, brings world-class performances and art installations to the city, and gives ambitious local artists opportunities to work on a grand scale. The flexible 10,000 square-foot, column-free venue, nestled amidst five acres of artfully landscaped grounds, is continually reconfigured to serve artists’ imaginations, and to challenge and inspire a diverse range of curious audiences. OZ Arts Nashville performances are supported in part by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and Tennessee Arts Commission.

For more information, please visit OZArtsNashville.org.

Nashville Fashion Week Announces Runway Show Locations With A New Runway Pass For All Three Nights

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES RUNWAY SHOW LOCATIONS WITH A NEW RUNWAY PASS FOR ALL THREE NIGHTS

Locations for Nashville Fashion Week 2017 are set and tickets are on sale for all events. The seventh annual five-day event will kick off on Tuesday, April 4 with the Nashville Designer Showcase and close on Saturday night with the fourth annual Nashville Fashion Forward Gala and feature sixteen designers throughout the week. Many other events will be held city-wide throughout the week to showcase all aspects of Nashville’s thriving creative fashion community.

Nashville Fashion Week opens with the Nashville Designer Showcase in collaboration with Oz Arts Nashville on Tuesday, April 4 at Oz (6172 Cockrill Bend Circle). NFW alum Amanda Valentine, Any Old Iron and Ona Rex and Truly Alvarenga will be joined on the runway by Cavanaugh Baker and Minxx. Oz will spotlight the creative process behind each designer’s collection. The evening will end with the official NFW Opening Night Party in the Oz Lounge and Patio overlooking the Sculpture Garden. Oz is an inspiring destination for world-class innovative contemporary art experiences that supports the creation, development and presentation of significant performing and visual art works by leading artists whose contribution influences the advancement in their field. The Nashville Designer Showcase is sponsors by William Edge Salon and Opry Mills.

"I'm elated to be back for a third year with Nashville Fashion Week! It's been such an honor to showcase my work each year on the runway, as I could not be more proud to be representing my hometown", says Ona Rex designer and native Nashvillian Ashley Balding. "As our city has grown and changed massively in the recent years, there remains a fantastic community of creatives and leaders of whom I'm so appreciative to be a part of. I can't wait to see all the hard work of our city and beyond!" 

Designers Andrew Gallivan, Lily Guilder Design, Madness Is, Nasheli Juliana and Splashed by DKG were selected from hundreds of applications to show their collections on Wednesday, April 5 at the Emerging Designer Runway Show on the Veranda at the historic Union Station Hotel (1001 Broadway). Guests are invited to celebrate with the designers at the official After Party following the show at the hotel. Union Station, a 100-year old railway station, is a shining gateway of the past, blending modern convenience with warm, historical elegance. The Emerging Designer Runway Show is sponsored by The Mall at Green Hills.

"Participating in Nashville Fashion Week is a great honor. I am proud to be from a city that supports its local artists and American businesses!", Andrew Gallivan said. Gallivan now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Fauxgerty, Lagi Nadeau, Michael Drummond, Patrick Assaraf and Shea Steele will share the runway at the Ready-to-Wear Runway Show with musical guest singer/songwriter Erin McCarley on Friday night, April 7 in the Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Lobby (10 Music Square East). BMI is the bridge between songwriters and the businesses and organizations that want to play their music publicly. As a global leader in music rights management, BMI serves as an advocate for the value of music, representing nearly 12 million musical works created and owned by more than 750,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. 

"I love when the arts come together to celebrate. I've always had a love affair with the art of fashion and am thrilled to be a part of this year's NFW," McCarley said.

Menswear designer Patrick Assaraf from Canada will be presented by Levy’s Clothing. Patrick said "For me, Nashville is the new city of music and fashion. Nashville is attracting young and creative people into their spectacular city with so much to offer. It is a pool of talented people all in one place and they keep coming every day."

"From Oz, a contemporary art facility, to the history of Union Station and musical roots of BMI, Nashville Fashion Week continues its legacy of finding unique locations that celebrate the creativity of Nashville to host our events. Nashville Fashion Week has popped up in a variety of settings over the years,” said Mike Smith, one of three Nashville Fashion Week co-founders. "Whether high above the city at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place to historic locations such as The Arcade and The Parthenon or with the Tennessee State Capitol as our background, our guests know that they are going to experience something fresh and exciting.”

Details for this year’s Nashville Fashion Forward Gala, Shop Nashville Week, Thursday's Photography + Art event, Educational Experiences and a new Blogger Brunch will be announced separately.

This year Nashville Fashion Week has added a new Runway Pass to the menu of ticket options available for events throughout the week. The $150 ticket provides access to all three nights of runway shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with the option of a $50 upgrade for guaranteed seating. All Access Passes, individual night tickets and Nashville Fashion Forward Gala tickets are available for purchase at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 

All NFW ticket holders get FREE admission to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts from April 3-16 featuring the exhibit of iconic fashion photographer Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty with proof of purchase. 

Proceeds from all Nashville Fashion Week events benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 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.

Nashville Fashion Week Announces Three Nights of Runway Shows

Nashville Fashion Week Announces Three Nights of Runway Shows

All locations for Nashville Fashion Week 2016 are set and tickets are now on sale for all events. The sixth annual five-day event will kick off on Tuesday, April 5 with the East Meets West Designer Runway Show at Studio 615 in East Nashville and close on Saturday night with the third annual Fashion Forward Gala at OZ Nashville on the west side of the city. 

Opening night will feature designers from New York to London. Brooke Atwood, Michael Drummond, Daniella Kallmeyer and Francesca Marotta will show their collections at Studio 615 (272 Broadmoor Drive) on Tuesday, April 5. Studio 615 is a state of the art photo, video & event facility. Its goal is to be a force in building and shaping community in East Nashville and throughout the city.

Wednesday night is the Nashville Designer Showcase at Track One (1211 4th Ave South). Truly Alvarenga, Ona Rex, Roxenstone and Amanda Valentine will show with emerging designers Any Old Iron and Sisters of Nature. The Track One Garage is one of the most versatile and largest industrial on-trend event spaces in downtown Nashville. With over 14,000 square feet of usable space it offers a beautiful blank canvas with unique features for a variety of events. The Nashville Designer Showcase is sponsored by Opry Mills. 

"We enjoy finding unique locations that celebrate the creativity of Nashville to host our events. Nashville Fashion Week has popped up in a variety of settings over the years,” said Mike Smith, Nashville Fashion Week co-founder. "Whether high above the city at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place to historic locations such as The Arcade, The Parthenon or in an old church, our guests know that they are going to experience something new and exciting. 

"Three of the locations this year are used primarily as shared work space for the creative community. These venues seem very appropriate considering the impact that creatives make in Nashville every day."

A Pre-Show Reception at Waller, Lansden, Dortch and Davis will set the stage for Friday night’s show at Legislative Plaza. Nashville Fashion Week guests will enjoy sweeping views of the city from the 27th floor of the City Center (511 Union Street) before the runway show. Oberima Afriyie, Megan Huntz and Lagi Nadeau will be joined by Eleventy in front of the Tennessee State Capitol at Legislative Plaza (301 6th Avenue North) for The City Lights: Ready-to-Wear Runway Show, sponsored by The Mall at Green Hills. 

Eleventy will be presented by Levy’s. Eleventy was launched in 2007 by CEO Marco Baldassari, Paolo Zuntini and Andrea Scuderi. Made in Italy, the brand operates in the luxury sector with high-quality, wide-ranging and well-defined men’s and women’s collections, hallmarked by an identifiable style with no need for a logo. The collection is about lifestyle rather than status. eleventy.it

Details on Nashville Shops Day, Thursday's Accessory Installation Gallery at WELD, Saturday’s Education Panels at City Winery and the Nashville Fashion Forward Gala will be announced soon.

Proceeds from all Nashville Fashion Week events benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 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.

All Access Passes and individual night tickets are available in a range of prices at nashvillefashionweek.com.

PURCHASE TICKETS

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.