NFW 2020 To Feature Tanya Taylor, Timo Weiland & 19 Middle Tennessee Designers

TANYA TAYLOR TO HEADLINE NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK WITH TIMO WEILAND AND NINETEEN MIDDLE TENNESEE DESIGNERS

Thank you to the packed room of 300+ attendees who joined us for our Nashville Fashion Week 2020 Kickoff Party last night at Graduate Nashville! We were excited to announce the first details of our 2020 schedule and introduce our "We Are Nashville Fashion" campaign to a sold-out crowd and to hint at many more announcements to come. This campaign features notable contributors and partners of Nashville Fashion Week that have spanned a decade of service. From hospitality and production to retailers and beauty teams, we are Nashville fashion.

The tenth annual Nashville Fashion Week will take place Tuesday, March 31 through Saturday, April 4 in partnership with OZ Arts Nashville for the third consecutive year. Four nights of runway shows will be followed by our 10th Year Celebration Party and Nashville Fashion Forward Awards on Saturday night to celebrate the unique impact award receipients have made on the Nashville fashion community. 

Tickets for Nashville Fashion Week 2020 are now available to purchase at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. Complete details on the 10 Year Celebration Party and Awards, Fashion Talks, the Influencer Brunch, Men's Style Event, Learning Labs and Shop Nashville will be released over the next month.

TWENTY-ONE 2020 DESIGNERS ANNOUNCED

Nashville Fashion Week is honored to welcome our opening night headline designer Tanya Taylorand Timo Weiland to our runway on March 31 at OZ Arts Nashville. For the first time in Nashville Fashion Week history, nineteen of our twenty-one designers, all hail from Middle Tennessee. This is in direct response to the quality of applicants and our community's growing interest and support of local designers. Eleven of these designers are NFW alumni and eight are new designers showing their collections at Nashville Fashion Week 2020 for the very first time. Please check out all the 2020 designer bios HERE.

Tanya Taylor started her namesake label in 2012 with the mission to inspire all women to live in color. By celebrating individuality, the brand aims to create a community where every woman feels included. Through the artful use of color, texture and original hand-painted prints each Tanya Taylor collection is designed to bring confidence and high-energy happiness into a woman’s daily life. The collections are sold at retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. 

The brand has been worn by a diverse range of inspirational women such as Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kristen Wiig and Aidy Bryant. Tanya Taylor is an inclusive brand defined by a point of view and is proud to offer styles in sizes 0-22. 

“I’ve been trying to get to Nashville for quite some time — the culture, music, food and especially dancing has always enticed me — and I can’t think of a better time to go than during Nashville Fashion Week. I’m excited to explore the city and to present my Spring 2020 collection!” - Tanya Taylor

Timo Weiland is an award-winning Creative Director, serial entrepreneur and DJ based in New York City. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised between Florida and New York. After graduating from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, he worked for several years as an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. covering Media & Technology before launching his first startup. Since 2010, Timo has successfully built a namesake lifestyle brand, as well as businesses across food & beverage, design, media, B2B intelligence, real estate, technology, and venture capital.

"It is an honor and a pleasure to come back to the original source of my inspiration, Music City. From the days of living in Nashville while attending Vanderbilt University, the cultural flavor and vibrant pulse of the community has fueled my creative process. Sourcing designer vintage in East Nashville and learning how to DJ both were awesome career building aspects of the city that added value to my education on-campus!" - Timo Weiland

Tuesday, March 31

• Tanya Taylor

• Timo Weiland

• Laura Citron

• Article X

• Mary Violet Woosley

Wednesday, April 1

• Amanda Valentine

• Truly Alvarenga

• Lily Guilder

• The Morgan Factory

• Erica Knicely

Thursday, April 2

• Black by Maria Silver

• Justin Mark Richards

• Ola Mai

• Ken.Drama

• H. Lane Design

Friday, April 3

• Any Old Iron

• Rank & Sugar

• Eileen Kelly

• No Worries

• Moore by Paige

• Emily Phillips

"Tanya and Timo represent the core values of Nashville Fashion Week. We have been committed to diversity and inclusivity both on the runway and through our eclectic mix of events for years, but we desire to do and be more. Both of these talented designers have based their careers on these important values that further the mission of the fashion industry as a whole. We look forward to learning more from them", said Connie Cathcart-Richardson, Nashville Fashion Week co-founder and managing partner.

"The fact that our tenth anniversary lineup is also filled with designers from Middle Tennessee is a big deal. It is very rewarding to look back at all of the people that have been impacted by Nashville Fashion Week over the years and to think about how far Nashville fashion has come", Cathcart-Richardson added. "We are delighted to showcase eleven of Nashville’s leading designers with eight newcomers discovered through our designer application process.”  

“Nashville Fashion Week and the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund have raised awareness of creative talent in Middle Tennessee for the past nine years by showcasing 180 designers and hundreds of businesses with an investment of over $1.3 million in the local fashion community", says Marcia Masulla, Nashville Fashion Week co-founder and managing partner. "It's our privilege to support Nashville’s fashion-forward and entrepreneurial talent with this volunteer led and run event and to have provided life-changing experiential opportunities for nine Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We could not do what we do without the support of our dedicated sponsors, volunteers and ticket holders.”

Applications for Shop Nashville retailers, volunteers, photographer/videographer and media passes are now open under Contact at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

Individual runway prices are $50 for general admission and $75 for seated tickets. The four-night Runway Pass is $200 for general admission and $300 for preferred seated with the VIP Experience and entrance to the official Opening Night Party for both passes. The $400 All Access Pass includes front row VIP tickets to all four nights of runway, plus tickets to Fashion Talks, the Official Opening and Closing Night Parties and the 10 Year Celebration Party and Nashville Fashion Forward Awards on Saturday night at OZ Arts Nashville. Tickets to the Official Opening Night Party and the Official AfterParty are $20 each and tickets to the 10 Year Celebration Party and Nashville Fashion Forward Awards on Saturday night at OZ Arts Nashville are $100. Additional details will be announced soon about these parties. All proceeds benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

For more information on the schedule, designers, a full list of sponsors, party pics and to purchase tickets for Nashville Fashion Week 2020, visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com. Click HERE to see all of the Know Your Roots Photoboothery antics and photos from the Kickoff Party.

NFW Kickoff Party January 22 Presented by Graduate Nashville

GRADUATE NASHVILLE TO PRESENT NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2020 KICKOFF PARTY ON JANUARY 22 

Happy New Year! Join us for the Nashville Fashion Week 2020 Kickoff Party on Wednesday, January 22 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Graduate Nashville, 101 20th Avenue North, for the first of many big announcements to come over the next few months. Guests will enjoy one drink ticket courtesy of Tito's Handmade Vodka with delicious light bites provided by our host in the Hippodrome Ballroom.

Surround yourself in Music City history and legend at this funky new floral jewel box located in the heart of Midtown. The playful, luxe guest rooms channel Nashville's innate charm. The light and bright lobby is punctuated with a dash of Opry opulence and one very large anchor. 

Nashville Fashion Week 2020 will take place March 31 - April 4 in collaboration with Oz Arts Nashville. We will introduce our runway designers and schedule at the Kickoff Party with some other exciting details about our 10th Anniversary plans including our "We Are Nashville Fashion" campaign. All proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund supports the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee by providing a financial award and resources for experiential professional development opportunities to assist in career advancement within the fashion industry. Megan Prange, owner and creator of Prange Apparel was selected as the 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient in November from the largest and most varied application pool to date. Past NFFF recipients include Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Brett Warren, Eric Bornhop, Ceri Hoover, Elise Joseph, Lauren Leonard and Julianna Bass.

Tickets to the Nashville Fashion Week Kickoff Party are $30. A limited number of tickets are on sale now. Don't miss out!

NFW + AMAX 2020 Model Search & Style Social

APPLICATIONS FOR THE AMAX + NFW 2020 MODEL SEARCH
NOW OPEN TO ASPIRING MODELS OF ALL AGES AND SIZES

The AMAX + NFW 2020 Model Search is all inclusive! Anyone from age 13+ is invited to apply for this coveted opportunity. AMAX Talent is searching for the best of the best aspiring models of all ages and height through December 31. Select finalists will have the opportunity to meet with AMAX Talent model scouts for a chance at the grand prize. The winner will be announced at Nashville Fashion Week 2020 and will receive a prize package that includes:

• $1,000 modeling contract and development with AMAX Talent
  

• The opportunity to meet one-on-one with top national modeling agents including IMG, Next, Elite and Ford and to walk the Nashville Fashion Week runway

• A professional photo shoot with a local fashion photographer.

No experience is required. Only models NOT represented by other agencies are eligible to participate. All Model Search applicants will also be considered for Nashville Fashion Week model casting. Applications will be accepted at NashvilleFashionWeek.com and through the @AMAXArmy Instagram account.

The AMAX + NFW Model Search has been a launchpad for many successful modeling careers since 2012.

• 2019 Model Search winner Chaney Trosper made her runway debut at Nashville Fashion Week, then walked for Carolina Herrera at the Symphony Fashion Show in May. She then signed with LA Models and spent a few weeks over the summer in Los Angeles attending the LA Models Model Camp and working on her book.

• 2018 Model Search winner Aubrey Hill has walked in Nashville Fashion Week and made the cover of Native Magazine, shot by Brett Warren. She spent last fall modeling in Thailand.

• 2017 Model Search winner Ella Miller is in development and has worked with photographers Brett Warren, Mark DeLong, Jess Williams and Mario Pena.

• Only two weeks after being named the 2016 Model Search winner, Molly Rothe was selected to walk for Carolina Herrera. She has since received multiple contract offers from top agencies around the world and worked with renowned photographer Emma Summerton.

• 2015 Model Search winner, Briggs Rudder, spent a summer modeling in Japan, and is signed with Wilhelmina in New York where she has worked for Maybelline and walked for Valentino.

• 2014 winner, Sydney Chiyoko, was signed with Next Model Management in Los Angeles and Miami and with DNA Models in New York. She has walked in Nashville Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week and starred in campaigns for Ulta and Bad Habit Beauty.

• 2013 winner, Olivia Brunner, has been featured in Justine Magazine and worked for TJ Maxx.

• Caleigh Darraugh, the 2012 Model Search winner, has worked in Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Asia. Her clients have included Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Gilt Group, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire France and L’Officiel and she has appeared on the cover of WWD and L’Officiel Morocco.

AMAX Talent is a full service agency representing fashion, commercial and lifestyle models as well as actors, hair and make-up artists, and wardrobe stylists. Cherylann Stephens, former director of Next and Wilhelmina in Los Angeles, opened AMAX's parent company, Maximum Artist Creative Services, in 2005 to fill the need for an artists agency in the Nashville market. In 2009 MACS acquired AMAX, a well known Nashville modeling agency founded in 1989. In 2012, AMAX was joined by Ginny Edwards Maxwell, a well-known model scout and mother agent. Through a strong emphasis on both local and direct booking, as well as scouting and developing local models for international placement, AMAX has quickly risen to become one of the premier agencies in the Southeast. AMAX models have been featured in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Celine, Jill Stuart, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger as well as walked the runways of Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Versace and Louis Vuitton. For more information on the agency, please visit AMAXTalent.com.

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STYLE SOCIAL TO BENEFIT THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND
IN HONOR OF MODEL LYDIA TOUCHTON

Friday, November 22, 2019
7 - 9 p.m.
1800 Galleria Blvd, Suite 1617, Franklin
R.S.V.P. to 615.406.6066

The family of Lydia Touchton invites you to honor and celebrate Lydia on her 21st birthday (first heavenly) at a Style Social with sips, snacks and shopping on November 22 hosted by EVEREVE at the Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin. 15% of all purchases will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Donations to honor Lydia can also be made to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

2019 NFFF Recipient & 2020 Dates & Model Search

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES
THE 2019 NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND RECIPIENT,
2020 DATES, THEME AND MODEL SEARCH LAUNCH DETAILS

WE ARE NASHVILLE FASHION!

Thank you to the enthusiastic and stylish crowd that joined us at Hutton Hotel for our 2020 Nashville Fashion Week Launch Party last night! We were excited to announce our 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient with exciting preliminary plans for the 10th Anniversary of our city-wide celebration of Nashville's thriving fashion and retail community. It was fitting that we celebrated our ten year launch at Hutton Hotel since the location is where we initially launched NFW in 2011 and 2020 is also the hotel's 10th anniversary.

Nashville Fashion Week will take place March 31- April 4, 2020 in collaboration with our strategic partner OZ Arts Nashville for the third year in a row. The theme of the 10th Anniversary year is "We Are Nashville Fashion". A focus on diversity and inclusion will be the focus for the programming and planning ranging from the AMAX + NFW Model Search and Learning Labs to the runway shows. This theme will also be at the forefront in the upcoming visual campaign and communications that will showcase the diverse contributors from the community who have supported and promoted the growth of Nashville fashion over the past decade.

"Nashville Fashion Week and OZ Arts are both dedicated to shining light on the exceptional artists and creative professionals who call our city home. It's a very synergistic partnership that OZ is proud to be part of, and I look forward to watching the fashion industry's continued impact on our creative community." - Tim Ozgener, President & CEO, OZ Arts Nashville

Ginny Edwards Maxwell from AMAX Talent, also announced that the 2020 AMAX + NFW Model Search will be open for the first time in its nine year history to aspiring models of all ages and sizes in an effort to find the best of the best. Applications will be accepted from November 19 - December 31 at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

"In the last few years, we have seen more clients requesting models in a greater range of sizes and ages. We are thrilled to be expanding the model search for 2020 in the hopes of finding potential stars to represent brands both locally and internationally. I am committed to doing whatever I can to help move the modeling industry forward in terms of diversity." - Ginny Edwards Maxwell, Director of Scouting & Development, AMAX Talent

Nashville Fashion Week was founded in 2010 as an all-volunteer led and run event spotlighting Nashville’s growing fashion community with a sustainable focus of philanthropic support of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 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 Co-Founders and Managing Partners, Connie Cathcart-Richardson and Marcia Masulla are eager to celebrate year ten with the Nashville creative community.

"Nashville Fashion Week and the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund have helped raise awareness of Nashville’s vast creative talent by showcasing close to 140 designers and hundreds of local businesses with an investment of over $1.3 million in the local fashion community over the past nine years," said Connie Cathcart-Richardson and Marcia Masulla. "We look forward to continuing to foster Nashville’s fashion-forward and entrepreneurial talent for many years to come with this volunteer led and run event.”

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MEET OUR NINTH ANNUAL 
NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND RECIPIENT 

We are proud to announce Megan Prange, owner and creator of Prange Apparel as our 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. A committee from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected Prange from a diverse group of experienced fashion industry applicants based on specific criteria set by the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund co-founders.

"I am beyond thrilled to be this year’s Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient! I first learned about Nashville Fashion Week seven years ago and since then have been a huge believer in the amazing opportunities if offers to everyone who participates in it every year. I am honored to be a part of it and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund will allow me." - Megan Prange, Owner & Creator, Prange Apparel

Megan Prange started Prange Apparel six years ago in response to the demand from independent designers and boutique owners for small batch production. At the time, Megan was doing freelance pattern and sample work for local designers when she noticed the struggle they were having scaling their businesses. They couldn’t keep up with the demand by sewing everything themselves.

She decided to go out on a limb and open a small batch manufacturing business. She started off with just three home sewing machines and a few interns.

Six years later, Prange now has a full-scale business that employs twenty-five full time employees, has over 30 industrial machines and a client base that spans from coast to coast.

“The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award represents an investment in the creative and inspired individuals looking to expand the perspectives that will contribute to their personal growth and the growth of their role in the fashion industry. Megan joins a terrific and ever growing list of talented individuals who’ve put their vision to paper for a compelling experience that inspired the Award selection panel.” - Amy Fair, Vice President of Donor Services, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

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 an annual financial award and resources for experiential professional development opportunities to advance the career of select local talent with demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field based on pre-established criteria.

Previous Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients include apparel designers Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Julianna Bass and Lauren Leonard Phelps; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover, and Elise Joseph, brand strategist and creative director.

The establishment of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund in 2010 by the co-founders of Nashville Fashion Week 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 is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee that is funded with charitable donations and proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week. 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 of our community.

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THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES
ON SATURDAY AT DREAM NASHVILLE!

Hurry, Only 10 Seats Are Left...

Feast on fashion by supporting the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and three of our most recent Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients on Saturday, November 16 at Dream Nashville! Make your reservation now for the Fashion Show Brunch at Stateside Kitchen featuring presentations with Fund recipients Eric Adler, Black by Maria Silver and Van Hoang. There will be one seating at noon where you may order lively libations and tasty offerings from Stateside's sumptuous brunch menu. The participating designers will also have items available to purchase at their pop-up shops in the Back Bar during the event. Your $10 ticket reserves your seat at brunch and one complimentary Absolut Juice signature cocktail. Seating is limited to 60 spots and are going fast! All ticket proceeds benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Join Us For a Fashion Show Brunch at Dream Nashville

 JOIN NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK FOR A 
FASHION SHOW BRUNCH AT DREAM NASHVILLE ON NOVEMBER 16

Feast on fashion by supporting the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and three of our most recent Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients on Saturday, November 16 at Dream Nashville Hotel! Make your reservation now for the Fashion Show Brunch at Stateside Kitchen featuring presentations with Fund recipients Eric Adler, Black by Maria Silver and Van Hoang. There will be one seating at noon where you may order lively libations and tasty offerings from Stateside's sumptuous brunch menu. The participating designers will also have items available to purchase at their pop-up shops in the Back Bar during the event. Your $10 ticket reserves your seat at brunch and one complimentary Absolut Juice signature cocktail. Seating is limited to 60 spots. All ticket proceeds benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

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DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAUNCH PARTY TICKETS YET?

THE FIRST 100 TO PURCHASE TICKETS WILL RECEIVE A
COMPLIMENTARY NFW 10TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT!

Please join us for the Nashville Fashion Week 2020 Launch Party on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Analog at Hutton Hotel, at 1808 West End Avenue. Be among the first to hear announcements about the tenth annual Nashville Fashion Week and celebrate all that is to come. Guests will enjoy one complimentary signature cocktail provided by Absolut Juice with delicious small bites from Mane & Rye Dinerant. 

Tickets to the NFW Launch Party are $30. A limited number of tickets are on sale now at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. The first 100 to purchase tickets will receive a 10 year anniversary t-shirt compliments of 85 Supply!

The 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient and dates for the 2020 event will be announced with additional details about the AMAX Model Search 2020 application process. All proceeds from the Launch Party benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Don't miss out!