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

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.

---

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! 

Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Recipient 2023

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES OUR ELEVENTH NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND RECIPIENT 

We are excited to announce Rhea Daniels, the founder and creative director of Papierdoll Factory, as the 2023 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. A committee from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected Rhea from a diverse group of experienced fashion industry applicants based on her impressive submission that adhered to specific criteria established by the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund co-founders in 2010. We will honor and celebrate Rhea at an upcoming Nashville Fashion Week community event.

Founded in 2018, Papierdoll Factory is dedicated to blending avant-garde resort wear with cultural consciousness. Rhea's upbringing in Clarksville, Tennessee, amidst the rich diversity of a military town, has profoundly influenced the brand’s ethos. Papierdoll Factory strives to celebrate the world's myriad cultures through high-quality, bespoke designs. 

"I am profoundly honored to be named the recipient of the 2023 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. This grant empowers us to further our mission of style and inclusivity by focusing on professional development, securing federal contracts, and establishing international trade. We aim to expand our presence within the American Armed Forces Exchange Service, bringing our unique fashion solutions to military communities worldwide. This opportunity is not just a milestone for Papierdoll Factory but a step towards a more interconnected and stylish world." – Rhea Daniels, Founder and Creative Director of Papierdoll Factory

Receiving the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund is a milestone for the brand's journey to elevate global fashion standards. Papierdoll Factory believes in "Style Without Borders" and is passionate about creating fashion that empowers and inspires. Initiatives like Minerva's Closet—a program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Nashville Alumnae Chapter—provide no-cost prom shopping experiences for underprivileged teens, showcasing the brand's commitment to community empowerment. Papierdoll Factory is also actively involved and dedicated to the vibrant local fashion scene in both Nashville and Atlanta.

Rhea also serves as a Presidential Donor and Executive Member of the Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, actively contributing to the university's growth and success. Her leadership and vision continue to drive Papierdoll Factory forward, making every piece a celebration of diversity and style.

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.

“At its core, Nashville Fashion Week has always been about supporting the people who bring fashion to life. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award has recognized and celebrated the creative aspirations of fashion industry professionals for more than a decade with financial support to go, do, learn as part of their creative journey."  - Amy Fair, Senior Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Connie Cathcart-Richardson, Mclaine Richardson, Rhea Daniels and Marcia Masulla at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts Alexander McQueen Media Preview

"As the fashion and creative economy in Nashville evolves, our vision and mission continue to be focused on creating lasting impact in the ecosystem for the fashion community. Rhea's big picture strategy for her business is both inspiring and a worthy investment for The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. We are excited to work with Rhea and others in the community on forging a new and fruitful path forward." - 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 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 single high-profile event to celebrate creativity, but also an ongoing, sustainable focus for philanthropic support of our community for many years to come.

Tenth NFFF Recipient: Haley Maddox 2022

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES
THE TENTH NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND RECIPIENT 

We are excited to announce Haley Maddox, co-owner and designer of MaddLove Bridal as our 2022 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. A committee from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected Haley from a diverse group of experienced fashion industry applicants based on specific criteria set by the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund co-founders. We will honor and celebrate Haley during our April 2023 festivities.

Haley Maddox has been working in Nashville since 2017 after studying fashion design at The Art Institute of Indianapolis and several internships in the bridal industry. She has worked as a production manager for Olia Zavozina and most recently at Workwear Outfitters where she was involved in fabric development, technical design and merchandising, to gain experience in all areas of the fashion business before pursing her dream of building her own brand.

“I feel so honored to be this year’s recipient of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. My plan is  to attend the Global Fashion Summit where I will soak up every bit of knowledge about sustainability I can get. I think there is a sense of responsibility for all of us in the fashion industry to understand how we harm our planet. It is important to me that my line uses new awareness and innovation to ensure I remain intentional with my environmental impact. That is why I am so excited for this opportunity to learn and grow!” - Haley Maddox, MaddLove Bridal

Haley has always aspired to have her own line and is in the process of launching MaddLove, a new-age bridal line, in 2023 with Adrienne Love. Adrienne is the owner of The Wedding Studio, the bridal boutique that Haley interned at during college that first sparked her love for the bridal industry. Adrienne currently has four store locations in Indiana and Kentucky with plans to expand to Nashville. What was once a lofty idea between a new bridal boutique owner and her bright-eyed intern is now becoming reality. They are combining the skills of a successful entrepreneur and the industry knowledge of a creative designer to create MaddLove, which is a play on their last names; Maddox and Love. 

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.

“The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award represents an investment in the creative and inspired individuals looking to expand the perspectives that will contribute to their personal growth and the growth of their role in the fashion industry. Haley joins a terrific and ever growing list of talented individuals who’ve put their vision to paper for a compelling experience that inspired the Award selection panel.”  - Amy Fair, Vice President of Donor Services, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Previous Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipients include manufacturer Megan Prange, apparel designers Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Eric Bornhop, Lauren Leonard Phelps and Julianna Bass; fashion photographer Brett Warren; accessory designer Ceri Hoover; and Elise Joseph, brand strategist and creative director.

The establishment of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund in 2010 by the co-founders of Nashville Fashion Week 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 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 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 of our community.