If you thought that Nashville was looking exceptionally sharp lately, you're not mistaken. Last week, sartorially adventurous Nashvillians congregated for the second annual Nashville Fashion Week, a five-day fashion extravaganza that spanned multiple venues and boutiques. In addition to bringing internationally renowned designers to local runways — Versace, anyone? — NFW gave local favorites such as Valentine Valentine, White Rabbit and Jamie and the Jones the opportunity to show their collections to a wider audience.
Throughout the week, local shops hosted special events and trunk shows, instantly solving the "what-am-I-going-to-wear" dilemma for NFW attendees while stimulating the local economy. The first three nights were held at Marathon Music Works, allowing for a larger runway (and much-needed back-of-the-house space) than last year's venues. Tuesday, a mix of live music and catwalking, featured Valentine Valentine, by SMITH and T. Rains. Anyone who saw T. Rains last year knew we were in for lots of skin, and while designer Traver Rains did not disappoint, all eyes were on Valentine Valentine's superb collection.
While several of the designers on Wednesday showed collections focusing on wearability — Leona, Wai Ming, Sjobeck and Eva Franco — Malaysian designer Zang Toi's dramatic showing took the cake. The runway was an exhilarating cacophony of blinding white furs, rich black velvet, and decadent blood-red layers.
Thursday kicked off at the Frist with fashion industry panel discussions, presented by Imogene + Willie and focusing on production, branding and the state of Southern fashion. In lieu of a runway show that evening, an ambitious "interactive fashion event" featured seven installations of mini-collections from area designers amy.b., Black by Maria Silver, Brittany Blair, Pink Elephants, Trunk, Tuft and inaugural Nashville Fashion Forward Fund winner Juliana Bass. Silver (also of The Ettes) was a standout with her "after-afterparty" vignette, in which you could almost smell the whiskey-soaked carpet and bad decisions.
Friday night, by far the most anticipated evening with the Versace appearance, was held at The Parthenon, which would have been lovely had the weather cooperated. Mother Nature was clearly unconcerned about the perils of wearing 5-inch heels in mud. Nashville's Shea Steele, proprietor of Local Honey and designer behind White Rabbit, held her own among RedDoll (whose chic, whimsical party dresses had us swooning), G-Star, Katharine Kidd and Versace.
On Saturday, the most exciting thing to happen to local malls since Tiffany made an appearance: fashion — and etiquette — guru Tim Gunn. The Project Runway mentor hosted a runway show and then met each and every person who waited in line to have their picture made with him. A true class act.
Saturday's closing fashion show at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place was an apropos end to an impressive week, featuring nD Emerging Designer winners Jamie and the Jones (please reconsider your hiatus, ladies!!), Kal Rieman, Sylvia Heisel, Magid Bernard and — the crème de la crème — Randi Rahm. Rahm, who has outfitted everyone from J. Lo to Carrie Underwood, presented an incredible, dreamy collection of couture dresses that had all of us drooling into our wine glasses.
So to those who scoffed at the idea of a Nashville Fashion Week — and forgive us, Tim Gunn, for the lack of manners — we have to say, "Told you so."
