Feast on Fashion: Happy Hour + Meet & Greet with Book Signing Featuring Peter Som

There's something special about a room where fashion and food collide — and good people show up. Feast on Fashion is a curated series presented by Nashville Fashion Week and the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We will kick things off next week with dinner and conversation on Tuesday (8 seats are still currently available) and will continue the festivities on Wednesday from 4-6 PM at Avo. We'll take over one of Nashville's favorite neighborhood spots for a few hours of mingling, sipping, and celebrating community.

Kick off your Wednesday evening with us at AVO for a lively happy hour and meet & greet with Peter Som—lifestyle expert, award-winning designer, and author of Family Style: Elegant Everyday Recipes Inspired by Home and Heritage. Grab a drink, browse the bites, and get your copy of Family Style signed straight from the man himself.

Books will be available for purchase on-site.

Avo is one of Nashville's most beloved plant-based spots—and the perfect backdrop for an evening like this. Their menu is 100% plant-based, featuring gluten-free, organic, and locally sourced offereings, with handcrafted cocktails to match. A true Nashville small business with community at its core. Come thirsty and ready to mingle. Avo has built something rare: a gathering place where everyone feels welcome at the table.

For this event, AVO will be offering their happy hour specials from 4–6PM, including discounted snacks, sips, and half-price bottles of wine — so come ready to settle in, raise a glass, and support a local business that gives back.

"Hosting Peter Som at AVO feels incredibly special. As someone whose family has long been part of Nashville's culinary community through both AVO and Samurai Sushi, I love opportunities that bring people together to celebrate culture, creativity, and connection around the table. This event beautifully highlights the intersection of food, fashion, and AAPI storytelling in Nashville." 
— Annie Choo, AVO

GOOD PEOPLE IN THE ROOM

We'll be joined by representatives from Giving Kitchen and API Middle Tennessee — so plan to make the rounds, spark a conversation, and leave knowing a little more about the incredible work happening right here in our city.

Giving Kitchen provides emergency financial assistance to food service workers in crisis, connecting them with community resources when they need it most.

API Middle Tennessee advocates for and uplifts Asian Pacific Islander communities across the region — bringing a voice and a seat to the table that reflects the full richness of Nashville's creative community.

SIP FOR A CAUSE

We'll be pouring the Family Style Fizz from 4 -6 PM only so don't be late. Every sale of our featured signature cocktail inspired by Peter Som's cookbook will directly benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, supporting the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee. Sip well, give back and toast to Nashville's creative future.

GETTING THERE

AVO is located at 4 City Blvd #104, tucked underneath the Element Hotel in OneC1TY. Free 2-hour parking is available in the lot near SandBar and Charlotte Ave — plenty of time to mingle, sip, and meet some stylish new friends.

Fashion, food, and community — come together.

#whyNFW

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FAMILY THAI X FAMILY STYLE
DINNER & CONVERSATION

Tuesday, May 19 | 6:00 PM
International Market
2013 Belmont Boulevard

Dinner + Signed Book: $125

ONLY 8 SEATS LEFT!

Join us for a collaborative three-course dinner*
inspired by Peter Som's Family Style 
and hosted by Chef Arnold Myint and Anna Myint
at International Market —honoring heritage, memories,
and the quiet luxury of gathering well.

This intimate dining experience will include table-led conversations with featured guests, thoughtfully designed to spark meaningful dialogue at the intersection of food, culture, fashion, and the API experience.

Tickets can be purchased at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

NFW + Altuzarra - POSTPONED to October 22 & 23

"I am so honored to be able to participate in Nashville Fashion Week and have the
opportunity to connect with the fashion community in Nashville. I believe that fashion
is a universal language that brings people together and I am excited to be a part of
an event that fosters collaboration and celebrates creativity."
- Joseph Altuzarra

Founded by creative director Joseph Altuzarra in 2008, Altuzarra is a luxury women's ready-to- wear and accessories brand.

Joseph's seductive aesthetic combines modernity, femininity, and an unapologetic sexiness. Anchored in artisanal craftsmanship, and a curiosity about the world, the collection is informed by Joseph's own multicultural background and upbringing. The Altuzarra brand speaks to the power, fearlessness and sensuality of the modern woman’s wardrobe

Joseph Altuzarra is a luxury womenswear designer and is widely recognized as one of the most talented and lasting of his generation.

Born in 1983, Joseph was raised in Paris by a Chinese-American mother and French father. His multicultural upbringing and avid interest in different facets of culture–ranging from film to literature to craft–are key influences throughout his work.

Since the launch of Altuzarra in 2008, Joseph has received numerous accolades for his work, from inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Business of Fashion’s BoF500 to the Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design.

In 2014, Joseph was named by the Council of Fashion Designers America as the Womenswear Designer of the Year and, in 2017, the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year.

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If your brand or company is interested in being an official Nashville Fashion Week event or programming sponsor, please reach out to us at marcia@nashvillefashionweek.com. Proceeds from NFW events directly benefit the The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - 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. ALL experienced fashion industry professionals, including designers, photographers, stylists, models, hair and makeup artists, retailers, content creators, etc., are encouraged to apply for this award to further their career in our local fashion industry.

Established in 2011 by the co-founders of Nashville Fashion Week, the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Award recipients are selected by a committee of the Community Foundation board based on pre-established criteria inspired by the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA)/VOGUE Fashion Fund to advance the career of select local talent with demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field. Applications are accepted each fall with the recipient announced in January. Ticket proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund.

Digital Designer Runway Collections Are Now Live!

Today is the day everyone has been waiting for.

The Nashville Fashion Week 2021 designer portfolios and runway show videos are NOW LIVE on the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Runway360 global platform! This is our first foray into producing an extensive digital program, but we can't wait for you to experience what these talented designers have been creating. Much gratitude to Middle Tennessee State University, our video production partner, for all of the hard work and dedication they poured into executing this programming.

You can view all of the designer runway shows, view their lookbooks and even shop their looks for FREE, but we encourage you to please consider making $20, or more if you can, a tax-deductible donation to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help underwrite the production costs to create this digital programming and support our Nashville fashion community for years to come.

The future of Nashville Fashion Week depends on it.

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We had a remarkable evening celebrating year eleven of Nashville Fashion Week with our VIP guests at The Westin Nashville and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum! The winner of the NFW + Country Music Hall of Fame Suiting The Sound Design Competition was announced at our Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter event.

Congratulations to all of the finalists. - Braylee Flaska, Any Old Iron and Wear It Out by by Manny.

The designer with the most votes is...Manny Cuevas, President & Designer of Wear It Out by Manny. Thank you for voting!

Couldn't join us in-peson last night? You can watch the full Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter Panel Discussion HERE from the comfort of your home or mobile device and at your convenience.

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DAY THREE | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

ONLY 10 TICKETS ARE LEFT!

TIKTOK, TECH AND TRENDS:THE EVOLVING BUSINESS OF FASHION

Presented in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the WB Collective Powered by WBEC South 

Thursday, October 14 |  4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Location: WB Collective Nashville
613 Ewing Ave, 2nd Floor Nashville, TN 37203

Admission: FREE ticket with registration

Only a few more tickets remain for this interactive panel discussion which will offer varying perspectives on evolutionary business practices in the fashion and retail industry. This event will also include an opportunity to shop a curated selection of #Nashpreneurs pop-up shops and time to network while enjoying light bites and refreshments provided by Titos Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow.

The panel will be moderated by Phala Mire, President and CEO of WBEC South. Panelists include Steven Romeo, Founder/CEO, Music City Creative; Trinity Wiles, Co-Founder, Where and Share Inc.; and Anna Caroline Toms, Owner, LA Green Nashville.

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SHOP NASHVILLE THIS SATURDAY!

Nashville Fashion Week has hosted Shop Nashville, a city-wide celebration designed to encourage and support the Nashville retail community with creative and interactive ways to support our Nashville businesses, since our inception in 2011. While our runway format puts the focus on apparel creators, for this year we have created an opportunity for Middle Tennessee’s creative maker and retail community as well. Seven NFW designers and a diverse selection of twenty-five fashion-related vendors will showcase their brands at the first Shop Nashville Pop Up Market presented by oneC1TY on Saturday, October 16 from 12 - 4 p.m. 10% of all vendor sales will be donated to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to show their support for our local fashion community.

Enjoy the outdoor shopping experience with refreshments provided by Tito's Handmade Vodka and Blade and Bow from Kindred Bar Catering while enjoying the tunes of DJ Maggie Wells. Please register for this event at the link above so that we can plan our refreshments accordingly. 

NFW + Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Announce Suiting the South Design Competition

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK + COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM ANNOUNCE SUITING THE SOUND DESIGN COMPETITION

Nashville Fashion Week is designed to showcase the local fashion community by providing a platform to engage, learn and connect. Nashville Fashion Week has been pushing boundaries and exploring options since we launched in 2011, but NFW IMAGINE 2021 has given us the freedom to try new things as we explore the future of Nashville fashion during a pandemic. This design competition is just one of many collaborations we have planned for October 12 - 16.

Nashville Fashion Week is excited to partner with our friends at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to give Middle Tennessee designers an opportunity to submit their personal interpretation of country music stage wear inspired by the museum's current Suiting The Sound: The Rodeo Tailor Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter exhibit. 

Drawing from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit galleries and extensive collection of stage costumes and archival materials, Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter—an exhibition curated exclusively for online audiences and free to access HERE —examines the dazzling artistry of Western-wear designers whose couture fashions helped to create an indelible image for country music. 

Applications must be received by Sunday, September 12. Up to ten finalists will be selected based on the quality, creativity, and orginality of a single design submission - sketch or finished piece - inspired by the museum's Suiting the Sound exhibit. Finalist's submissions will be included in a competition that invites the public to vote for their favorite design. The designers with the most votes will have the opportunity to showcase their finished design at a special NFW + Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum event on Tuesday, October 12 as part of Nashville Fashion Week 2021. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enter the competition or vote on your favorite designs!

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APPLY NOW! WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING VOLUNTEER
& OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER APPLICATIONS

Click the images below for detailed information

NFW to Present 15 Middle Tennessee Designers Through New CFDA Connects Program

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2021 TO PRESENT FIFTEEN MIDDLE TENNESSEE DESIGNERS THROUGH NEW CFDA CONNECTS PROGRAM

Over the last eighteen months, we've been reminded about what truly matters and have been heartened by moments in everyday acts of humanity and resilience. Unfortunately, COVID-19 still has ongoing effects in our community and beyond, so we have yet again reimagined how to best serve our fashion community during these challenging times.

NOW IS THE TIME TO IMAGINE. WILL YOU JOIN US?

Since our inception in 2011, Nashville Fashion Week has been hosted in the spring, but this fall an updated version will take place October 12 -16. Our fall lineup is designed to safely explore, test and shape the future of Nashville fashion in a meaningful way through strategic partnerships and collaborations with both local and global industry leaders. We look forward to connecting with our community again for a diverse schedule of digital and live programming that is designed to showcase and inspire our fashion community. 

Nashville Fashion Week is thrilled to share more details about our new membership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Nashville Fashion Week was selected as one of twelve regional organizations nationwide that were invited to join and benefit from the new CFDA Connects initiative. CFDA Connects is a programming network in support of regional fashion weeks and organizations through promotion, business support, resources and member privileges. The CFDA infrastructure centers around programming, education and webinars and will work closely with NFW to help develop and provide opportunities to designers from Middle Tennessee.The Connects membership access exists to influentially amplify our NFW mission, expand our reach, increase awareness, and strengthen our city's connection to the pulse of business, commerce, media and trade in the American fashion industry and globally.

"CFDA Connects was created to skill share and connect domestic markets and global fashion industries through CFDA resources including professional and business development and education, trade events, supply chain and local manufacturing, social impact and sustainability" said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “ As a part of CFDA Connects, Nashville Fashion Week designers will tap into the worldwide reach of RUNWAY360 to connect directly with tens of thousands of journalists, retailers, influencers and consumers through this game changing platform."

Designers who previously applied and were selected to present their collections at NFW 2020 were invited to participate in NFW 2021. Fifteen Middle Tennessee designers now have the opportunity to participate in an innovative way as they present their collections and brands to a global audience.

Each designer will present their brands and looks on the CFDA’s Runway360 digital programming platform. This access will include streaming their runway presentations, lookbook and e-commerce capabilities. The runway presentations will be professionally filmed in advance at OZ Arts Nashville by Middle Tennessee State University’s Marketing and Communications team with production design by Bright Events Productions. Nashville Fashion Week would not be able to produce these events and activate programming without these vital partners.

The following designers are participating in NFW 2021. Designer bios can be previewed HERE. 

• Amanda Valentine

• Any Old Iron

• Article X

• Black by Maria Silver

• Eileen Kelly

• Emily Phillips

• Erica Knicely

• H. Lane Design

• Ken Drama

• Laura Citron

• Lily Guilder Design

• Ola Mai

• Rank & Sugar

• The Morgan Factory

• Truly Alvarenga

The full schedule of fall events and detailed ticketing information will be announced over the next few weeks. A limited number of VIP Passes will go on sale next week. All proceeds benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Applications for volunteers, photographers and Shop Nashville vendors are now being accepted under the APPLICATION link at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 

While we are excited to gather both digitally and in person for NFW 2021, the health and safety of our guests, participants and team remains our top priority. A full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test will be required to attend or participate in any Nashville Fashion Week 2021 event.

NFW strongly encourages vaccination. The last day to receive the second shot of Moderna or Pfizer or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson prior to our October events is September 27th. For anyone that is not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72 hours of attending any event. NFW requires that anyone unvaccinated must wear a mask at all times. This protocol is based on current CDC standards. Any changes to these procedures will be communicated prior to each event.

COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to all Tennesseans 12+ in all 95 counties across our state. Find a location close to you at VaccineFinder.org to insure that you’ve done your part to keep NFW 2021 and our community safe for everyone. 

Nashville Fashion Week is a city-wide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its vast array of creative talent. Featuring local, regional and national designers and industry professionals in an array of creative events throughout the week encourages both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces throughout theweek with promotions, partnerships and educational workshops. NFW is founded and directed by a collaboration of fashion, retail and media professionals who have 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 the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. For detailed information, please visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com.