How Can NFW Best Serve The Middle Tennessee Fashion Community?

Nashville Fashion Week was conceived in 2010 to foster Nashville's heralded community spirit and concentration of creative, fashion-forward and entrepreneurial talent, to create a one-of-a-kind five day event that is uniquely Nashville. Since then, the world and our city have changed. The fashion industry has changed. And we have changed. Rather than moving forward with "business as usual" with our schedule of events in April, we are working to determine and restructure what will best serve our fashion community now and in the future.

Over the past twelve years, Nashville Fashion Week has:

• Supported 180 Designers

• Awarded Nine Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipients

• Booked close to 700 Models

• Showcased over 60 Unique Locations

• Hosted nearly 430 Retail Events

• Scheduled timely Learning Labs and Other Educational Opportunities

• Become a Member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America CFDA Connects

• And Invested over $1.3 million in our Fashion Community

LET'S BE CLEAR: We aren't going anywhere. We are evolving Nashville Fashion Week's scope of work with a renewed focus that best supports the future of Nashville fashion.

Your feedback is invaluable. Please take 5 minutes to click and complete the survey above by Tuesday, March 8 to insure that your voice is heard. We appreciate your support and insight as we rethink and navigate this new phase of our Nashville fashion community together. Thank you!

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NOW ACCEPTING:
NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND 2022 APPLICATIONS THROUGH APRIL 8

All Fashion Professionals With Ties To Middle Tennessee Are Encouraged To Apply For This Award.

Designers, Photographers, Stylists, Models, Hair and Makeup Artists, Retailers, Content Creators
and MORE!

Nashville Fashion Week invites you to submit your application for the 2022 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee now through April 8. Established in 2011, 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 a financial reward and resources for experiential professional development opportunities each year with proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week. ALL fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennesse are encouraged to apply.

Previous recipients include small batch manufacturer Megan Prange; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover, content creator Elise Joseph; and apparel designers Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Lauren Leonard Phelps and Julianna Bass.

Detailed instructions for application submission can be found at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. Applications must arrive at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's office at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue by 4:30 p.m. CST on Friday, April 8, 2022. The 2022 recipient will be announced early summer.

Award recipients are selected by a committee of the Community Foundation board based on pre-established criteria inspired by the CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund to advance the career of select local talent with demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field. 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. #whyNFW

Applications for the 2019 NFFF & NFW 2020 Designers Are Now Accepted

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2019 NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND & 

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2020 DESIGNERS ARE NOW ACCEPTED

YOU COULD BE NEXT!

Nashville Fashion Week invites you to submit your application for the 2019 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee now through October 15. Professionals working in all aspects of the fashion industry from designers and photographers to stylists, models, hair and makeup artists, retail owners and content creatorsare encouraged to apply for this experiential professional development opportunity provided each year through proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week. Detailed instructions for application submission can be found at NashvilleFashionWeek.com with bios on our previous recipients. The 2019 recipient will be announced at the 10th Annual Nashville Fashion Week Launch Party in November. #whyNFW

Applications must arrive at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's office at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue by 4:30 p.m. CST on Wednesday, October 15, 2019. The award recipient is selected by a committee of the Board of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

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ARE YOU READY FOR THE RUNWAY?

Nashville Fashion Week is on the search for designers to spotlight during our 10th Anniversary events. Applicants must demonstrate creativity, quality and a broad appeal to a wide range of consumers. Select designers will have the opportunity to showcase their collection during Nashville Fashion Week 2020. All designers interested in showing their collections are encouraged to submit their application for review.

The deadline to submit designer applications is 11:59 p.m. CST on Wednesday, October 15. All applicants will be notified in December and the lineup announced at an official Nashville Fashion Week event early next year. 

Designer Criteria:

• All designers, whether you have previously shown at NFW or not, 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

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.

Introducing AMAX Talent + NFW Model Search 2019

Nashville Fashion Week and AMAX Talent Announce Model Search 2019

AMAX Talent is searching for aspiring models through December 2 to debut at Nashville Fashion Week 2019. Eligible male and female applicants ages 13-30 will have the opportunity to meet with AMAX Talent model scouts for a chance at the grand prize. 

The finalists will be announced early 2019 with the winner announced in April during Nashville Fashion Week. The winner 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

• A gift bag provided by Lucy Pop Salon

All finalists will have the opportunity to meet with agents from top agencies during the AMAX showcase and will receive beauty makeovers by Lucy Pop Salon.

Applications will be accepted at NashvilleFashionWeek.com, and through the @AMAXArmy Instagram account. A live model call will also be held on Friday, October 19 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Love 30A, 30 Gardenia Street, Cottage 3, Santa Rosa, Florida 32459 during fall break.

No experience is required, but applicants must meet all of the physical and age requirements and guidelines specified on NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 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.

The AMAX + NFW Model Search has been a launchpad for many successful modeling careers since 2012. 2018 Model Search winner Aubrey Hill walked in Nashville Fashion Week and made the cover of Native Magazine, shot by Brett Warren. She will be spending this 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 the 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, is 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 Uta 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 include 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.

Who Will Be The Next Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient?

The Application Deadline is this FRIDAY, October 19

Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Applications for the 2018 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 19 at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. #whynfw

Nashville Fashion Week 2019 Emerging Designer applications are being accepted now through November 25th too. Detailed information can be found under APPLICATIONS at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

Nashville Fashion Week and AMAX Talent Announce Model Search 2018

Nashville Fashion Week and AMAX Talent Announce Model Search 2018

AMAX Talent is searching for aspiring models through December 1 to debut at Nashville Fashion Week 2018. Eligible male and female applicants ages 13-30 will have the opportunity to meet with AMAX Talent model scouts for a chance at the grand prize. 

The finalists will be announced early 2018 with the winner announced during Nashville Fashion Week. The winner 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 fashion photographer Brett Warren.

No experience is required, but applicants must meet all of the physical and age requirements and guidelines specified on nashvillefashionweek.com. 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.

The AMAX + NFW Model Search has been a launchpad for many successful modeling careers since 2012. 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 the 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, is 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 Uta 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 include 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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APPLY NOW: The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund and Emerging Designer Application Deadlines are only three weeks away!

Applications for both The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s 2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award and Nashville Fashion Week’s 2018 Emerging Designer Showcase are now being accepted through November 13, 2017. Detailed information can be found at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala To Celebrate Nashville’s Creative Community On Closing Night of Nashville Fashion Week

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala To Celebrate Nashville’s Creative Community On Closing Night of Nashville Fashion Week

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and co-chairs Kimberly Lewis and Gen Sohr invite you to celebrate and support the entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville’s creative arts and fashion community at the fourth annual Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Gala on Saturday, April 8 at Track One in the burgeoning Wedgehood Houston area. The Fashion Forward Gala is the culmination of Nashville Fashion Week’s five day celebration featuring local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events throughout the city. The Gala will be designed and coordinated by AmosEvents.

Nashville Fashion Week is excited to announce that Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, will speak to the importance of the arts and creativity as a cornerstone of the Nashville economy. Natalie Chanin, founder and creative director of Alabama Chanin, will be the guest speaker for the evening followed by a musical performance by singer-songwriter Shelly Colvin. 

“I am honored to be included in this event. Fashion has become the next step in the creative “thread” that speaks to Nashville’s unique and authentic offerings,” Spyridon said.

Nashville Fashion Week will present its third Nashville Fashion Forward Awards at the Fashion Forward Gala to recognize community leaders that have made an impact on the Nashville fashion industry. Sandra Lipman is the 2017 Nashville Style Icon. Awards will also be presented for the Fashion Forward, Legacy, Face of Fashion (sponsored by Picture Booth), Rising Star (sponsored by The Mall at Green Hills) and Point of View (sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka) recipients at the event. 

“All of us at Alabama Chanin are so honored and excited to be participating in Nashville Fashion Week. It has been wonderful watching the industry unfold, connect creative individuals, and flourish in our communities. It has only just begun,” says Chanin.

In 2013, Chanin won the CFDA/Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge, an award competition that identifies and celebrates the greatest American designers working in the realm of sustainable fashion. Chanin continues to learn and to teach craft traditions, using them to bridge generational, economic, and cultural gaps. Steluta will host an Alabama Chanin Lifestyle Pop Up Show featuring collection pieces and home goods curated by Alabama Chanin on April 1-9 in their East Nashville boutique. 

“Nashville Fashion Week has grown to have a significant impact on young designers, and the industry as a whole is paying attention. It’s an honor to sit on their advisory council during this exciting time, and I’m especially thrilled to perform at this year’s gala, where my friend Natalie Chanin will be speaking,” Colvin says.

Colvin has written and recorded two full-length albums, and collaborated with numerous artists on stage and off including John Prine and The Black Crowes. Shelly is featured in the critically acclaimed music documentary Heartburn Highways Revisited and has performed at many festivals and historical venues including Bonnaroo, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Stagecoach, Lincoln Center and was most recently a featured artist at Dylan Fest at the Ryman Auditorium.

Individual tickets to the Gala can be purchased for $200, tables of 10 for $2,000, and sponsored tables for $2,500 at NashvilleFashionWeek.com and includes The Gala Late Party. Others can join the festivities following the awards ceremony at 10 p.m. Late Party tickets are $50.

Nashville Fashion Week will be held April 4-8 at unique locations throughout the city. Runway and All Access Passes as well as tickets to individual events are now available in a wide range of prices. All proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week 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.