You Make A Difference

Please Support The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund!

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s The Big Payback kicks off at midnight tonight! The Big Payback is a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee's spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits, of which the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is proud to be a part. Eight talented fashion professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee have received financial awards for unique experiential professional development opportunities from this fund since 2011. You could be next! Every dollar contributed will make a difference within our fashion community for years to come. Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated. Gifts made on May 2nd are amplified by incentives and awards that could qualify us for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day. Thank you for your continued encouragement and support of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. It's hard to believe that we're heading into year 10!

Thank You!

"Thank You" doesn't even begin to touch the gratitude that we have for our sponsors and for you! Nashville Fashion Week is 100% funded through the generosity and support of our sponsors, donors and ticket sales with all proceeds benefiting the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Please show your appreciation to these amazing businesses by supporting them throughout the year.

Be sure to check out all of the beautiful images that have flooded in from our talented volunteer photographers HERE. 2019 really was our biggest and BOLDest year yet!

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THE BIG PAYBACK IS COMING...

Please support the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s The Big Payback is May 2. The goal of this 24-hour, online giving event is simple – raise awareness of non-profits within our community and inspire Middle Tennesseans to come together and contribute to support the life-changing work of 902 local nonprofit organizations. This is a great opportunity to show all of Nashville just how important the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is to you.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund 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 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 seven 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, but more is needed to fulfill our mission each year.

Nashville Fashion Week continues year after year with the financial support and encouragement of our community. Please consider making a gift on May 2 to further the mission of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Every dollar contributed will make a difference for years to come. Thank you!

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2019 ENDED WITH A BANG!

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2019 ENDED WITH A BANG!

We did it! Everything about Nashville Fashion Week 2019 was BOLD. We presented four nights of diverse runway shows featuring twenty local and regional designers with our partner OZ Arts Nashville; five Learning Labs, including the live broadcast of our first Sustainable Summit moderated by Fern Mallis; fifty interactive Shop Nashville events all across town; the party of all after parties at Dream Nashville. We had hundreds of models and volunteers, with more supportive and engaged sponsors than ever along with thousands of attendees. We could go on and on about all of the goodness, but we invite you to view the gorgeous images captured by our talented visuals team at NashvilleFashionWeek.com and follow the hashtag #whynfw on social media to see for yourself. Thank you for our biggest, brightest and boldest year yet!

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We ended year nine with a very special evening at OZ Arts Nashville that put the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund front and center. Our fifth annual Nashville Fashion Forward Gala and presentation of the Fashion Forward Awards was the perfect punctuation to celebrate and support the resolute, entrepreneurial spirit of our Nashville fashion community following the week-long festivities.

Amos Events and Bright Events designed a BOLD and colorful environment with the perfect touches from Please Be Seated and Oshi Floral Design. Colorful cocktails curated by Titos Handmade Vodka and immersive experiences from CraftCourse and Hi-Fi Media engaged the guests while they mingled. Local artist Tess Ernlenborn was center stage creating live art that utilized the colors pre-selected by our guests. Two of her beautiful paintings were then auctioned off to benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner by G Catering, wine from Love and Exile and spirits from Titos Handmade Vodka, Beefeater London Pink Gin and Jameson Black Barrel.

Nashville Fashion Week co-founders, Connie Cathcart-Richardson and Marcia Masulla welcomed the guests and thanked sponsors and volunteers before turning it over to Amy Fair from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to share the mission of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Eric Adler (2015), Maria Silver (2017) and Van Hoang (2018), previous Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients each shared in their own words what their award has meant to them to the fashionable crowd.

Guest host Nikki Burdine, anchor of Good Morning Nashville, WKRN, took the mic to emcee the evening and announce the Fashion Forward Awards to this year's recipients. Congratulations to Andrew Clancey (Rising Star), Margaret Ellis (Humanitarian), Claudia Fowler (Fashion Forward), Margo Price (Style Icon), Linda Roberts (Legacy), Sofie Rovenstine (Face of Fashion) and Olia Zavozina (Point of View)! Click HERE to watch each of their gorgeous videos and the Gala photo above for their bios.

2019 is a year that Nashville Fashion Week will not soon forget, however, who's ready for our 10th Anniversary? Planning begins in weeks and we want you to be a part!

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One More Way To Support the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund...

SAVE THE DATE! The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s The Big Payback is May 2! The goal of this 24-hour, online giving event is simple – inspire Middle Tennesseans to come together, show their pride in their communities, and contribute to support the life-changing work of local nonprofit organizations. This is a great way to show all of Nashville just how much the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund means to you and our fashion community.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is an endowed fund established in 2011 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 proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week benefit the Fund.

Fashion designer Van Hoang is our 2018 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. A selection committee from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected Hoang from a diverse group of experienced fashion industry applicants.

"I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this years Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. This award will enable me to attend the Copenhagen Fashion Summit which is a global conference about sustainability in fashion and this opportunity will allow me to learn from top leaders in the field. I hope to bring this knowledge back to Nashville and turn ideas into action.” - Van Hoang, 2018 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient

Previous Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients include apparel designers Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Julianna Bass and Lauren Leonard Phelps; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover, and Elise Joseph, founder of Goodwin.

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2019

CELEBRATE WITH NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK!

Nashville Fashion Week 2019 is going BOLD! We've got a jam-packed schedule with seventy-five events planned next week and we look forward to celebrating with you! Nashville Fashion Week 2019 officially kicks off on Monday, April 1 with Nashville's first FREE fashion-focused Sustainable Summit moderated by Fern Mallis at oneC1TY and quickly ramps up with close to fifty Shop Nashville events, four more Learning Labs, four nights of runway shows featuring twenty local and regional designers in partnership with OZ Arts Nashville, our official NFW After Party presented by Dream Nashville and we close out the week with the 5th Annual Fashion Forward Gala. And don't forget about the Men's Style Event this Wednesday night at Dream Nashville with an After Party for guests at Snitch! There is literally something for everyone! 

Get your tickets at NashvilleFashionWeek.com now! Our Friday night runway shows are SOLD OUT and the other nights are selling fast! Make plans now to support your favorite designers and be introduced to new ones. You are going to be blown away by these BOLD collections!

NFW Learning Labs are designed to showcase the local fashion community by providing a platform to engage, learn and connect and each of these unique educational experiences do just that.

SUSTAINABILITY: Join us on Monday, April 1 at oneC1TY for our Sustainable Summit, an interactive event that will include Nashville's first fashion-focused discussion on sustainability. Our panel of industry leaders - Chrissy Fogerty, Fauxgerty; Barrett Ward, ABLE; David Prentice, OnPoint Manufacturing and fashion designer Van Hoang, our 2018 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient - will share their insights on how to turn ideas into action and experiences with sustainability. Get your ticket to this FREE event while they last!

MARKETING: Digital Marketing Without Losing Your Mind at emma is SOLD OUT! But, tickets are still available for CREATE: Margaret Ellis Jewelry Intro to Metalsmithing | Make Your Own Stack Rings on Wednesday, April 3; and BEAUTY: Behind the Runway with The Cosmetic Market, and BUSINESS: Feast on Fashion with AMAX Talent presented by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse - How To Land An Agent on Saturday, April 6 . Don't miss out on these unique educational opportunities!

And then there are the parties… Dream Nashville is presenting the Official Nashville Fashion Week After Party on Friday, April 5 from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. This is sure to be the party of the year!

This is #WHYNFW! The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee invites you to celebrate and support the entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville’s creative arts and fashion community with Nashville Fashion Week and our partner OZ Arts Nashville at the Fifth Annual Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala on Saturday, April 6 at OZ Arts Nashville. This is the fourth year that Nashville Fashion Week will present its Nashville Fashion Forward Awards at the Fashion Forward Gala to recognize community leaders that have made an impact on the Nashville fashion industry. Join us in honoring Andrew Clancey, Margaret Ellis, Claudia Fowler, Margo Price, Linda Roberts, Sofie Rovenstine and Olia Zavozina. Reserve your tickets or table for 10 by Wednesday, March 27th!

You've got all of your tickets, so now the big question is "What are you going to wear to all of these fashionable events"? Click HERE for full details on every Shop Nashville event that will take place next week. Nashville Fashion Week is a great excuse to go shopping! We can't wait to see you at the shows!

All 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. 

NFW Sustainable Summit at oneC1TY on April 1

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK PRESENTS FREE SUSTAINABLE SUMMIT ON APRIL 1

Moderated by Special Guest Fern Mallis

The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry with the environmental damage increasing as the industry continues to expand. Did you also know that the fashion industry has a broken labor system in place within our fashion supply chain? The good news is that there are solutions to mitigate these problems. Nashville Fashion Week will launch our Learning Lab Series with a Sustainable Summit moderated by Fern Mallis on Monday, April 1 at oneC1TY. This FREE event is the first of five NFW Learning Labs throughout the week. These educational opportunities provide a platform to engage, learn and connect experientially within the community. Please make plans early to attend at least one of these special events.

Join us on Monday, April 1 at oneC1TY for an interactive event that will include Nashville's first fashion-focused discussion on sustainability. Our panel of industry leaders - Chrissy Fogerty, Fauxgerty; Barrett Ward, ABLE; David Prentice, OnPoint Manufacturing and fashion designer Van Hoang, our 2018 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient - will share their insights on how to turn ideas into action and experiences with sustainability. Transparency, business ethics and brand missions impact both people and the planet. Sustainable initiatives are top of mind for today's consumer and the fashion industry, but many of us don't understand what we can do to contribute to the ecosystem. From labor rights, human rights or the environment, we are each a key variable to help correct the problems that currently exist. Organizations like Fashion Revolution and this event will share how we can change the model, material and mindset.

There are a limited number of tickets available to attend the Sustainable Summit which will include include interactive pop-up experiences by the panelists and Fashion Revolution, who spearheads the global movement Fashion Revolution Week (April 22 - 28), refreshments and bites from Pastaria and the live-stream panel conversation. Educational sponsor, Middle Tennessee State University, will facilitate and produce the live-stream which will be aired on Nashville Fashion Week's Facebook and InstaStories at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

Fern Mallis, the creator of New York Fashion Week, will moderate the conversation to discuss tangible ways that these businesses are addressing sustainabiity and how we can assist in making a difference in our world. Nashville businesses are leading the way with sustainable solutions. It's time for the rest of us to join in.

“I applaud NFW for taking on the issue of sustainability…which is top of the minds for everyone in the fashion industry now….and if it’s not it SHOULD BE. I’m looking forward to participating in their Sustainable Summit, as we all have so much to learn to figure out how we can save our planet and ‘do the right thing’ before it’s too late. Sustainable conferences are the new black!” - Fern Mallis

This community-wide event will include Pop-Up Shops and educational material from Fauxgerty, ABLE, OnPoint Manufacturing and Fashion Revolution prior to the panel discussion and a photo booth from Hi-Fi Media to commemorate the event. 

“As a LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) project with an emphasis on open space for pedestrians, nature, and healthy buildings; it was only natural for us to be the host for the first fashion-focused sustainability summit in Nashville. 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 community hungry to obtain a sustainable lifestyle." - Ryan Doyle, OneC1TY

SUSTAINABLE SUMMIT: Nashville Turns Ideas Into Action 

Monday, April 1 | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

An Interactive Event and Panel Discussion with Fauxgerty, ABLE, OnPoint Manufacturing and Van Hoang | Moderated by Fern Mallis

Location: ONEC1TY | 8 City Boulevard, Suite 402, 37203

Admission: FREE, Individual ticket, light bites and refreshments from Pastaria that includes Crispy Risotto Balls with pomodoro sauce & herb aioli, Caponata Bruschetta with lemon ricotta & mustard greens and Burrata Toast with chilies and basil.

FAUXGERTY

Fauxgerty is committed to people and the planet. That means sustainable fabrics, ethical factories, and a team that feels like family. Their goal is to empower women to shop consciously and consider the impact of every purchase. With that in mind, Fauxgerty creates long-lasting pieces that can be worn with the closet you've already built. Their design team makes easy-to-wear, stand-out silhouettes and we sample each piece in multiple sizes to ensure the fit translates from sizes 00-24 seamlessly. From repurposed materials to cruelty-free leathers and suedes, their sustainable materials are a big part of who they are. Most of their vintage fabrics cannot be replaced. So, while their silhouettes restock, most colors and prints are exclusive. Their design team makes easy-to-wear, stand-out silhouettes. On average, it takes two hours to sew a Fauxgerty garment. They count on skilled seamstresses to transform their fabrics into the highest quality pieces. Their sewers in Alabama are paid 71% over minimum wage,are offered paid time off, health insurance and work in a temperature controlled facility. Fauxgerty's goal is to design garments that adapt to lifestyle, body type and personal style seamlessly. 

"Nashville is a place where Fauxgerty hangs our hat often as we launch new collections, events and support the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund so it when this opportunity arose to be a part of leading the way with sustainable options for consumers, we wanted to be a part of the conversation with other like-minded brands and individuals." - Chrissy Fogerty, Founder & Designer

Chrissy Fogerty set out to create environmentally sustainable garments that adapt with any woman's lifestyle. It all started with a collection of faux leather motorcycle jackets that felt and lasted just like real leather. That line inspired the Fauxgerty name and paved the way for a full collection of ethical pieces.

ABLE

ABLE is a rapidly growing ethical lifestyle brand challenging the culture of the fashion industry by creating transformative opportunities for women. Their handmade jewelry, leather bags, clothes, and shoes are made both locally in Nashville, and globally in Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil. In 2018, ABLE became the first fashion brand to publish it’s lowest wages because the company believes complete transparency is the only way to protect and empower the industry’s vulnerable workers – most of whom are women. 

“ABLE is extremely proud to partner on the first ever Nashville Fashion Week Sustainable Summit because it represents our city’s fashion community and leadership in protecting people and the planet. While the topic of sustainable fashion is trending, we believe it’s not a passing trend. ABLE is committed to challenging the culture of the fashion industry by equipping consumers with education and creating solutions that can transform the industry and the lives of its workers. We hope our #PublishYourWages movement will inspire consumers to demand living wages for all of fashion’s vulnerable workers, most of whom are women.” - Barrett Ward, CEO & Founder of ABLE

Barrett Ward, the CEO & Founder, is leading his team to challenge the culture of the fashion industry by creating transformative opportunities for women. What began as a literal thread of an idea to sell handwoven scarves made by women overcoming hardships in Ethiopia has grown into a lifestyle brand with beautiful leather bags, jewelry, clothes, and shoes. Barrett’s ever growing ambition and heart for social justice has resulted in recognition from prestigious organizations, including the GQ Leader of the Year Award in 2014.

ONPOINT MANUFACTURING

OnPoint Manufacturing specializes in purchase activated on-demand mass customization of apparel. OnPoint has developed technically advanced manufacturing and distribution solutions for the apparel industry. Our factory model automates and integrates almost every aspect of the manufacturing process from order entry to delivery. The integrated components that are driven by compex software allow OnPoint to manufacture millions of unique SKU's on-demand reducing inventory costs and streamlining the whole supply chain. OnPoint maintains a manufacturing facility in Florence, Alabama, with headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee.

“It is an honor to partner with and sponsor the 2019 Nashville Fashion Week. It goes without saying, Nashville is quickly becoming a hub for the fashion and apparel industry, and with new designers and brands being introduced every year in this area, we believe the Nashville Fashion Week is a must have event in this key market. We are proud to be welcomed into the Nashville Fashion Week family.” - David M. Prentice, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing, OnPoint Manufacturing.

VAN HOANG

Van Hoang is a sustainable womenswear designer based in Nashville, TN. Her clothing is modern yet timeless as well as versatile and functional. She strives to create pieces that can easily be incorporated into an existing wardrobe yet still maintain their unique characteristics. They range from one-of-a-kind to ready-to-wear and everything is handmade in her studio. Her collection for Nashville Fashion Week will primarily be made from deadstock and remnant materials to reduce unnecessary waste and promote awareness on this issue.

“I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this years Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. This award will enable me to attend the Copenhagen Fashion Summit which is a global conference about sustainability in fashion and this opportunity will allow me to learn from top leaders in the field. I hope to bring this knowledge back to Nashville and turn ideas into action.” - Van Hoang

FASHION REVOLUTION USA

Fashion Revolution USA is proud to be a part of the international mission of Fashion Revolution focused on programming, events, and educational resources. Their mission is to educate and engage people in the US about the social and environmental impact of their clothing purchases, so that they demand a more sustainable fashion industry and circular economy for all. Fashion Revolution Week is April 18-22, 2019. 

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Middle Tennessee State University is a destination of choice for students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of signature programs with national and international acclaim. MTSU’s College of Behavioral and Health Sciences offers degree programs in both Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising. Students who have a passion for design and fashion can apply their creativity in classes which expand their knowledge of all aspects of the business. Learn more about MTSU’s Textiles, Merchandising, and Design major at MTSU.edu/HumanSciences.

"Middle Tennessee State University is excited to be the exclusive university partner for Nashville Fashion Week. While MTSU’s live broadcast of the Sustainable Summit benefits the fashion community, MTSU’s Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising majors also gain invaluable industry experience." - Dr. Rick Cottle, Assoicate Professor, Middle Tennessee State University Textiles, Merchandising & Design

ONEC1TY

oneC1TY is a vibrant, walkable LEED for Neighborhood development (LEED ND) project featuring abundant green space and public gathering places positioned at Charlotte Avenue and the 28th/31st Street Connector in West Nashville. oneC1TY has transformed a site of underutilized warehouses into a sustainable and interactive community featuring office, residential, hospitality and retail uses as well as a community lawn that encourages enjoyment of the outdoors, music and art. oneC1TY is widely recognized for its approach to healthy real estate and is a recipient of the Urban Land Institute Excellence in Development Building Healthy Places Award.

Tickets for the Sustainable Summit can be secured at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. The event is FREE, but a ticket is required. 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. 

Nashville Fashion Week will be held April 2-6 in partnership with OZ Arts Nashville. Tickets to all events are available in a wide range of prices at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.