Spring is finally here, and more than flowers are in bloom this season. Nashville’s Fashion Week, sponsored in part by Lexus, begins this Sunday with pre-shows by Tidwell & Perryman, Betsy Johnson, and White Rabbit. The week has something to offer for everyone and you don’t have to be decked head-to-toe in Oscar de la Renta or a shrunken Thom Browne suit (both ranging between $1,200 & $5,000) to enjoy fashion in Nashville.
Fashion can even be found on Lipscomb’s campus. Lipscomb will host all the Art, Craft and Business of Fashion: Fashion Industry Panels in the Ezell Center on Wednesday, March 30, and Thursday, March 31.
One of the fashion festivities taking place on campus during the week is the display of selections from Lipscomb University’s collection of patterns, sketches, memorabilia and dresses designed by famed American design house Halston.
The collection is on display in the Beaman Library all week, which is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, Monday night, March 28, Rho Xi Delta will host a ThriftSmart fashion show in Shamblin Theater at 7:30 p.m. (You can receive chapel credit if you bring three items of clothing or five canned goods to the show tonight.)
Nashville has recently developed its own trend by locals supporting themselves locally: local food, local produce and now local fashion. Staying in touch with our “Nashvillian laid-back-ness,” smaller boutiques such as Levy’s, Billy Reid and The Cotton Mill are showing spring collections along side major, international brands like Ben Sherman, Robert Graham, Betsy Johnson, and Gustavo Cadile.
Matthew Johns, one of Nashville’s up and coming stylists, sees fashion in Nashville growing.
“Nashville fashion is growing exponentially each year,” Johns said. “It’s fascinating to see such big names in fashion, and the celebrities that will quietly flock here to see them.”
There are ticket packages ranging from $20 all the way to an Insider Access Pass for $350. My recommendation: Call up a few of your favorite places to shop. Chances are they are doing something (most likely at a relative low cost) that you could participate in.
Find things you like to wear and feel comfortable in and go support the growth of Nashville culture. Check out nashvillefashionweek.com for ideas, tickets, and an event schedule.