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.

Another NFW Update

Dear Nashville, 

And, here we are again...When we postponed Nashville Fashion Week’s 10-year celebration on March 11 to August 4-8, we had no way of knowing the ongoing impact that COVID-19 would have on the world. What we did immediately recognize was that it was the responsible decision to put the well-being of our community first. Fast forward two and half months later and we find ourselves still in the midst of a debilitating pandemic. As we are all learning to adjust to life during this unprecedented time, it is clear that nothing is reverting back to “normal”. Business as usual is just not an option. We have carefully considered what is possible, practical and safe for Nashville Fashion Week and the unfortunate reality is that large group events are not going to be safe for quite some time. To say that we are disappointed would be a huge understatement, but our first priority has been and will always be the health and well-being of our community, guests, designers, models, sponsors, volunteers and team. We are halting any plans for live events and will move forward with a schedule of interactive virtual programming in August.

“I’m so proud of NFW and support their decision to bring the talent and energy and business of NFW to us all virtually... it’s where everything is happening right now. So, stay safe and join us and support Nashville’s designers." - Fern Mallis  

“We look forward to continuing the great partnership with Nashville Fashion Week in 2021. We share the organizer's feelings of disappointment about the need to cancel the in-person version of the 2020 edition, and are excited to be sharing ideas with them about online forms of engagement with the community this summer. We are all having to find creative ways to stay connected during this unusual year.” - OZ Arts President & CEO Tim Ozgener and Executive & Artistic Director Mark Murphy

Ticket and pass holders who have already purchased for NFW 2020 have the option to donate their purchase to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund or receive a full refund by contacting Amy Fair at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at AFair@CFMT.org. Please send with this subject line: NFW Refund Request for (insert NAME). We hope that we can count on your continued support. Nashville Fashion Week will come back stronger than ever to celebrate with you in 2021. A new date will be announced when we are confident that it is safe to do so.

“The Community Foundation couldn’t be prouder to be part of the work Nashville Fashion Week has done to promote and support local designers each and every year. With the announcement that the shows would feature all Middle Tennessee designers for the 10th anniversary came the proudest moment yet, having seen how much the local fashion community has grown from within and been welcomed from the outside thanks in large part to the creative and supportive journey that has been Nashville Fashion Week.”  -Amy Fair, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Nashville Fashion Week was conceived in 2010 to foster Nashville’s heralded community spirit and concentration of creative, fashion-forward and entrepreneurial talent. That has not changed. We will present promotions and digital programming August 4-8 to support and showcase our local designers, makers, creative community and Shop Nashville retailers in a meaningful, impactful and memorable way. We invite everyone to join us online for these virtual events. Our fashion community needs connection and our support more than ever. The full schedule will be released on July 1 with complimentary tickets available at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. 

"Bright Event Productions has been a long-standing production partner with Nashville Fashion Week, and we are excited to help produce the 10-year anniversary shows. Bright is of course saddened by the cancellation, as the shows are truly experience, but understand that this decision is necessary for the health and safety of all involved. We are looking forward to being a part of the 2020 virtual experince and continuing to support the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund." - Clint Pinkinton, President of Bright Event Productions

We are grateful for the support and encouragement we have received during this difficult time. Stay tuned on our details for virtual programming for August. We encourage you to continue to support the people behind the brands and businesses that have moved Nashville fashion-forward. We are sending strength and support to all.

We Are Nashville Fashion. We are Nashville Strong.

❤️ 

Team NFW