NFFF 2025 Award Recipient

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES OUR TWELFTH

NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND RECIPIENT

Thank you to the enthusiastic crowd that joined us at Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up for our 2025 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award Announcement Party last night! Guests enjoyed light bites from Bal Harbour Shops own signature restaurant, The Whitman, and signature cocktails courtesy of Tito's Handmade Vodka and Perfectly Cordial. We were honored to also welcome remarks from NFFF recipients Julianna Bass Brea (2011) and Rhea Daniels (2023), who reflected on the impact of the award on their work and growth. Special thanks to SnapBack Returns for sponsoring the this exclusive event. We hope to have more opportunities for us to gather next year.

We are excited to announce Trishawna "Tiki" Quincy, the founder of Tikivision Style Lab, as the 2025 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. A committee from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected Tiki from the largest and most diverse group of experienced fashion industry applicants yet, based on her impressive submission that adhered to specific criteria for the experiential award established by the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund co-founders in 2010. 

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.

“Tiki’s fashion experience has covered much ground, but what stood out in her application was her commitment to mentoring and creating community for the next generation during her last decade in Nashville. In her own words: ‘I learned early that creativity flourishes in supportive community environments.’ No words have been more aligned with the spirit of Nashville Fashion Week and the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund since their inception in 2011." 
- Amy Fair, Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

In 2024, Tiki established Tikivision Style Lab, a sewing and design education studio offering private lessons with ambitious expansion plans centered around education and community-building. Her vision encompasses comprehensive sewing and design education across YouTube,Instagram, and TikTok, making skills accessible to diverse learners. She aims to showcase Middle Tennessee's creative talent by featuring local experts in educational projects, foster authentic community connections through storytelling and in-person events, and develop a signature online sewing school with original patterns. Her ultimate goal includes establishing a digital platform that transitions to streaming or network television, amplifying Middle Tennessee's fashion industry and art scene. Through her work, Tiki bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern media, creating pathways for creative expression while preserving essential skill for future generations. 

"I am deeply honored to be the 2025 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient! Over the years, I've watched so many of my peers receive this award, and to now be recognized among them is truly humbling. Leaving the Sewing Training Academy to start my own business just over a year ago was both a huge and intimidating step, and this award feels like a validation of the big vision I carry within me. Sometimes the first step toward a dream is simply speaking it aloud—so thank you, Nashville Fashion Forward Fund, for believing in my big, crazy dreams alongside me!"
– Trishawna "Tiki" Quincy, Founder Tikivision Style Lab

Tiki is a Nashville-based sewing and fashion educator with a decade of transformative impact in sewing and design education. Raised in her mother's fabric store in Newman Grove, Nebraska, Tiki spent childhood summers sewing outfits and learning family sewing secrets from her mother, an accomplished dressmaker and teacher. This fostered an early passion for fashion design that would shape her entire career trajectory.

Tiki earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from the University of Nebraska and a Master's from the prestigious Domus Academy in Milan, providing her with both technical expertise and an international perspective. Her professional experience includes design roles with major brands such as Columbia Sportswear, Jantzen Swimwear, and Forever 21, where she honed her skills in commercial fashion development. After a decade of computer-based design on the West Coast, Tiki yearned to return to hands-on craftsmanship. She relocated to Nashville to pursue her true calling: teaching and mentoring the next generation of sewists.

In 2015, Tiki partnered with Catholic Charities to establish the Sewing Training Academy (STA), a workforce development program for industrial sewing. Under her leadership, STA evolved from a single course into a comprehensive one-year program training hundreds of students in essential trade skills. Beyond technical instruction, STA fostered a supportive community where students found mentorship, friendship, and shared purpose. Her vision for experiential learning culminated in 2022 with a small-batch production facility providing students with invaluable real-world work experience. While STA fulfilled her passion for education, mentoring students toward entrepreneurial ventures ignited Tiki's desire to pursue her own creative business.

"We’re continually amazed by the passion and purpose we see from Nashville’s creative community each year. We’re so excited to celebrate Tiki Quincy as this year’s Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient and look forward to watching her bring her vision for Tikivision Style Lab to life. Her work beautifully embodies the spirit of moving Nashville fashion forward—bridging creativity, community, and innovation." 
- Marcia Masulla, Managing Director & Co-Founder + Connie Cathcart-Richardson, Co-Founder, Nashville Fashion Week | Nashville Fashion Forward Fund

Previous Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients include our 2024 award winner, Rhea Daniels of Papierdoll Factory- a statement accessory brand; apparel designers Haley Maddox, Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Lauren Leonard Phelps and Julianna Bass Brea; manufacturer Megan Prange, fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover; and Elise Joseph, brand strategist and creative director.

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 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 ensures that Nashville Fashion Week is not just a high-profile event to celebrate creativity, but also an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support of our community for years to come.

#whynfw

2025 NFFF Award Winner Party

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND
AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT ON OCTOBER 15TH
AT THE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS ACCESS POP-UP

We look forward to introducing you to our twelfth Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient and celebrating the award announcement with mingling, sips + eats, and shopping at this interactive gathering on Wednesday, October 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up in Wedgewood Houston. Bal Harbour Shops representatives will present live styling segments featuring  their meticulously curated collection of luxury brands within their stunning 17,000 sq. ft. custom-built pop-up retail and dining space.

Guests will enjoy light bites from Bal Harbour Shops own signature restaurant, The Whitman, and one complimentary signature cocktail courtesy of Tito's Handmade Vodka and Perfectly Cordial, with additional beverages available at a cash bar. 

You will also have the opportunity to meet our 2024 NFFF recipient, Rhea Daniels, Founder and Creative director of Papierdoll Factory. Please join us for this very special evening in Wedgewood-Houston.

Bal Harbour Shops has been a beloved shopping destination since its debut in 1965. Bal Harbor Shops Access Pop-Up Nashville blends fashion, curated dining, and immersive design into one unmatched experience. Thirty modular shipping containers at Wedgewood Houston have been transformed into an oasis inspired by the elegance of Bal Harbour Shops Miami home, housing an array of luxury fashion, jewelry, lifestyle brands and it's own signature restaurant, surrounded by shaded walkways under a canopy of palm trees. Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up Nashville provides a sampling of the world's best luxury brands -- Tiffany & Co., Assouline, Balmain Paris, Cremieux, DSquared2, Etro, Golden Goose, Isabel Marant, Johanna Ortiz, Monnalisa, Scanlan Theodore, Valentino and Wolford.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 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 with charitable donations and proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week events. Previous recipients include Rhea Daniels, Haley Maddox, Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Brett Warren, Eric Adler, Ceri Hoover, Elise Joseph, Lauren Leonard and Julianna Bass.

Tickets to the 2025 NFFF Award Announcement Party are $30 and extremely limited. Secure yours now at NashvilleFashionWeek.com for this exclusive private event. 

Special thanks to SnapBack Returns for sponsoring the 2025 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award Announcement Party. Shop freely. Return confidently. SnapBack saves you time, money, and refunds by sending retailer alerts before deadlines and offering easy doorstop pickups. Get your refund faster with SnapBack by downloading the app HERE. 

Nashville Fashion Forward Fund 2025 Application

THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND 2025 APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN THROUGH MAY 30

ALL FASHION PROFESSIONALS WITH TIES TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE
ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THE 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 2025 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee now through May 30. 

We hope you'll also join us in spreading the word to encourage the fashion talent and community to apply for this opportuity to invest in their craft and business.

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 from charitable donations and proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week. ALL fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee are encouraged to apply to be our twelfth Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award winner.

Previous recipients include our most recent award winner Rhea Daniels of Papierdoll Factory - a statement accessory brand, apparel designers Haley Maddox, Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Lauren Leonard Phelps and Julianna Bass Brea; small batch apparel manufacturer Megan Prange; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover; and content creator Elise Joseph.

Detailed instructions for application submission can be found at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

Applications must arrive at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's office at 3421 Belmont Boulevard by 4:00 p.m. CST on Friday, May 30, 2025. The 2025 recipient will be announced later this year. 

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.

Does your business, organization or philanthropic efforts align with the mission of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund? We'd love for you to consider the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund as the recipient of your next charitable event. 

Please complete the sponsorship form at NashvilleFashionWeek.com or contact Marcia Masulla to discuss potential partnership opportunities or other ways to financially support the Nashville fashion community and ecosystem through the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We appreciate your continued support!

#whynfw

Are You The Next Nashville Fashion Forward Recipient?

ARE YOU THE NEXT NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD RECIPIENT?

This month marks five years since Nashville Fashion Week was forced to make a hard pivot when a tornado devastated Nashville. Just a few weeks later, the world changed forever. So much has happened since then, but through it all, the Nashville fashion community continues to evolve. While our focus has shifted from producing the events you may have attended in the past, we remain committed to supporting our fashion community by continuing to build the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund to ensure its impact endures for years to come.

Some things never change!

We're preparing to launch our 12th Nashville Fashion Forward Fund application in a few weeks, so start thinking about what experience would help elevate both you and your business to where you want to go. 

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 to be our twelvth Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award winner.

Previous recipients include our most recent award winner Rhea Daniels, apparel designers Haley Maddox, Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Lauren Leonard Phelps and Julianna Bass Brea; small batch apparel manufacturer Megan Prange; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover; and content creator Elise Joseph.

Dream big. You could be next! You won't know unless you apply.

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Step into a world where sneaker culture meets artistic expression at the Air Max Art Crawl on March 26, 2025 in downtown at The Arcade Nashville! For the 3rd Annual Air Max Day,  Melissa Watkins, creator of FabGlance, is elevating the experience in collaboration with Arcade Arts Nashville! This unique event brings together local artists, fashionistas, sneaker lovers, and creatives for an unforgettable celebration of style, culture, and community in a one-of-a-kind fusion of sneakers and street art. 

What to Expect

* Live art installations & sneaker-inspired exhibits

* Exclusive sneaker showcases & custom designs

* Music, fashion, and interactive experiences

* A curated space for creatives to connect

We are honored to have you consider the Nashville Fashion Foward Fund as the recipient of your next charitable event. Please complete the sponsorship form at NashvilleFashionWeek.com
to discuss potential partnership opportunties to financially support the Nashville fashion community through The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We appeciate your continued support. 

Thank you! 

Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum Hosts "Suiting The Sound Panel Discussion

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM
HOSTS “SUITING THE SOUND” CONVERSATION
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, presented in partnership with Nashville Fashion Week, will host a conversation with designers Marina Toybina and Maria “Poni” Silver. The program, “Suiting the Sound: Designers Marina Toybina and Maria ‘Poni’ Silver in Conversation,” will take place on Wednesday, September 4, at 6 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Country music performers have been turning heads in custom-designed stage wear since the late 1940s. During this program, moderated by Museum Writer-Editor Angela Stefano Zimmer, Toybina and Silver — who both work with Carrie Underwood and other musicians — will discuss their careers and their design processes. Underwood is loaning stage wear created by both designers for display during the program.

Toybina is a seven-time Emmy-winning costume and fashion designer who has collaborated with Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, P!NK, Taylor Swift and many others, as well as on television shows such as “The Masked Singer,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “The X Factor.” She is also a judge and mentor on the Hulu competition series “Dress My Tour.” Toybina is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and launched her first fashion line, Glaza, while still in school. Her work has been featured in various magazines including Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, People, Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue and Variety.

Silver is head of wardrobe for Underwood’s REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency and has also designed stage wear for Ruby Amanfu, Adia Victoria and others, as well as for the Nashville Ballet production “Seven Deadly Sins.” She is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and Nashville Fashion Week’s 2017 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. Designs from her brand, Black by Maria Silver, which launched in 2011, have been featured in Elle, Glamour, Vogue and other publications. Silver is also a musician: she has been a touring drummer since 2004 and has recorded six albums.

Free tickets can be reserved on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum website. Separately, the museum also has a free-to-access online exhibition, Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter. Drawing from the museum’s galleries and extensive collection of stage costumes and archival materials, the exhibition examines the dazzling artistry of western-wear designers whose couture fashions helped create an indelible image for country music.

Nashville Fashion Week kicked off in 2010 with a city-wide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its vast array of creative talent and has continued to gain momentum each year. Featuring local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events encourages both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces through events, promotions, partnerships and educational workshops. NFW was founded and directed by a collaboration of fashion, retail and media professionals who combined their passion and resources to create a completely volunteer-led and run event spotlighting Nashville's growing fashion community with a sustainable focus for philanthropic support of our creative community through the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. For detailed information, please visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com.