Feast on Fashion: Fashion, Food & Community Come Together

There's something especially compelling about bringing fashion and food together in a way that feels both intentional and rooted in community. 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—an invitation for distinct experiences that celebrate the creative disciplines shaping our city right now.

“In Nashville, fashion and food are both powerful expressions of culture, creativity, and community—they are part of the fabric of who we are as a city. This event is an opportunity to celebrate that intersection more intentionally, while uplifting AAPI voices whose influence continues to shape and inspire both industries. It also directly supports the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund, helping us invest in and advance the future of creative talent in our city.”
— Nashville Fashion Week

This evening will reflect what we value most: craft, connection, and the people behind the work. Tuesday, May 19 will unfold with lively conversation and a shared table where fashion, food, and identity meet in an intimate dialogue-driven setting—supporting and strengthening the future of creative talent in our community.

At the heart of this event is the work of Peter Som—lifestyle expert, award-winning designer, and author of Family Style: Elegant Everyday Recipes Inspired by Home and Heritage. A CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and two-time CFDA Emerging Designer Award nominee, Peter’s creative life has long existed at the intersection of fashion and food. During his years in high-intensity fashion, cooking became both a grounding ritual and a creative outlet, ultimately evolving into The Extra Taste, his culinary platform exploring fashion, interiors, design, and entertaining. His debut cookbook Family Style brings together 100 elegant, approachable recipes rooted in his Chinese American heritage, Bay Area upbringing, and French-influenced family traditions—offering a modern, personal take on gathering, memory, and creativity at the table.

“I’m excited to be heading to Nashville to support the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. It’s an honor to be part of such a community-driven event alongside incredible partners like Giving Kitchen, API Middle TN, Anna, Chef Arnold Myint, and Parnassus, and have the opportuntity to share my Family Style cookbook along the way. I’m looking forward to connecting and celebrating Nashville’s vibrant creative spirit.”

- Peter Som

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FEAST ON FASHION 

A Shared Commitment to the People and Disciplines that Continue to Shape our Community Through Fashion and Food.

FEAST ON FASHION: FAMILY THAI X FAMILY STYLE
DINNER & CONVERSATION

Tuesday, May 19 | 6PM
International Market
2013 Belmont Blvd

Dinner + Signed Book: $125

An intimate, three-course family-style dinner experienced through a collaborative three-course dinner by Chef Arnold Myint, inspired by Peter Som's Family Style followed by curated conversation at each table.

Inspired by Peter Som’s Family Style, this dinner hosted by Chef Arnold Myint and Anna Myint at International Market is designed as a shared table—honoring heritage, memory, and the quiet luxury of gathering well.

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

We’re so excited to welcome Peter Som to International Market for AAPI Month. Pairing Family Style with Arnold Myint’s Family Thai feels especially close to home for us — it’s about honoring where we come from, celebrating the stories behind the food, and bringing people together around the table.”  - Anna and Arnold Myint

Arnold Myint is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, TV personality, author and performer whose vibrant career bridges food, culture, and self-expression. A 2024 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist, Arnold is the chef of International Market and co-owner with his sister Anna Myint — a tribute to their family’s culinary legacy first established in 1975. 

In the fall of 2025, Myint released his highly-anticipated debut cookbook, Family Thai: Bringing the Flavors of Thailand Home, offering readers a vibrant and comprehensive guide to Thai cooking techniques and pantry staples for modern kitchens and was named one of the year’s best new cookbooks by publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Southern Living, and more.

We are also proud to recognize and break bread with API Middle Tennessee and Giving Kitchen, whose work brings compassion and critical support to food service workers facing crisis.

The dinner table is where community happens in Asian culture, so I can't think of a more exciting way to explore and share identity than through food.” - Joseph Gutierrez, API Middle Tennessee

Limited Availability. A portion of proceeds from both events will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

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

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

A Conversation with Joseph Altuzarra & Pop-Up Shopping Experience at The Hermitage Hotel - CANCELLED

Nashville Fashion Week and The Hermitage Hotel Present 
A Conversation with Joseph Altuzarra and Pop-Up Shopping Experience  | October 22 and 23 at The Hermitage Hotel

"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

Join Nashville Fashion Week for an engaging conversation with globally recognized designer/creative director Joseph Altuzarra. Founded 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.

Joseph is currently a 2023 nominee for American Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA). He was previously named the Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014 and the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year in 2017 by the CFDA.

“Nashville Fashion Week is thrilled to host Joseph and his team for the first time in Nashville,” said Marcia Masulla, NFW Co-Founder | Managing Director. “We have long been enamored with his sophisticated and modern design with timeless uncompromising artisanal craftsmanship. I personally have always felt a deep connection to Joseph for our shared multicultural background and upbringing." - Marcia Masulla, NFW Co-Founder | Managing Director

Sunday, October 22
4pm - VIP Meet + Greet, Photo Opportunity with Joseph Altuzarra, First preview of Altuzarra collection 
5:00 pm - General Admission Mixer 
5:45 pm - A Conversation with Joseph Altuzarra
7:00- 8:00 pm - Shop with Joseph at Altuzarra Pop-Up Shop

VIP Tickets $100
Includes: VIP Meet & Greet with Joseph with a Photo, preview of the Collection and Shop with Joseph at Altuzarra Pop-Up Shop, one drink ticket, A Conversation With Joseph Altuzarra

General Admission Tickets  $50 
Includes: General Admission Mixer, Cash Bar, A Conversation with Joseph Altuzarra, Shop with Joseph at Altuzarra Pop-Up Shop

Monday, October 23 
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Pop-Up Shop + Appointments all-day
Please email brandon@altuzarra.com to schedule your appointment for Monday, October 23.

Valet Parking is available for a reduced rate of $25. Street and additional parking is available. 
Rideshare is always encouraged.  

A limited number of tickets are available at NashvilleFashionWeek.com. Ticket proceeds and 15% of sales during both days of the Altuzarra Pop-Up Shop will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

We are proud to partner and have Dee Patel, Managing Director of The Hermitage Hotel, co-host this engaging event.

“We’re thrilled to welcome fashion visionary Joseph Altuzarra to The Hermitage Hotel for an intimate and elegant shopping experience,” said Dee Patel, Managing Director, The Hermitage Hotel. “Our hotel has long been recognized as Nashville’s premier gathering place for creative and artistic leaders. We’re delighted to host this event, which will not only showcase selections from Joseph’s globally celebrated collection, but also will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund to support emerging fashion in our city.”

Since opening as Nashville’s original million-dollar hotel in 1910, The Hermitage Hotel has long been known as the top hotel in Tennessee and one of the premier hotels in the country. The tradition of excellence that began that day has remained vibrant and alive throughout the years, being named the first and only five-star hotel in the state. As such, the hotel has received a compelling collection of accolades and honors, and has been ranked highly by the nation’s top travel publications.

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Join Nashville Fashion Week this Saturday, September 30 at The Belcourt to view INVISIBLE BEAUTY at 1:00 p.m. followed by a post-screening discussion in collaboration with us featuring stylist Bentley Caldwell, model and photographer Charika White, hair and makeup artist Sherita Leslie and fashion entrepreneur/retailer Keith Fulton of the Trenches Gallery, moderated by Nashville Fashion Week co-founder and managing director Marcia Masulla. 

Fashion revolutionary Bethann Hardison looks back on her journey as a pioneering black model, modeling agent and activist, shining a light on an untold chapter in the fight for racial diversity. From walking runway shows alongside Iman to discovering supermodels like Tyson Beckford and mentoring icons like Naomi Campbell, Hardison has been at the epicenter of major representational shifts in fashion. INVISIBLE BEAUTY stands as an absorbing record of Hardison’s accomplishments and a rare contemplation on the life of a radical thinker. 

Tickets to this limited seated event are $12 at Belcourt.org.

NFW Day Party

NFW TO MAKE BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS & CELEBRATE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS AT 1 HOTEL NASHVILLE

Last week's Electric Runway was ELECTRIC in every way! Nashville Fashion Week’s momentum of embracing that "Fashion Is More Than A Week" continues on Sunday, April 30. Join us at Harriet's Rooftop for the NFW Day Party from 12 – 2 p.m. at 1 Hotel Nashville, 710 Demonbreun Street.

Meet, mingle, sip and shop the pop-ups of Astrid & Aurora, Black Sheep Goods, Her Personal Style Vintage and The Luxury Label Nashville. These Nashville brands are recognized for their sustainable and ethical business practices. NFW Day Party attendees can meet the owners and shop their wares during this event.

Guests will be among the first to hear major NFW announcements for fall and meet Haley Maddox, our tenth Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient. 

Attendees will also enjoy a complimentary signature Woodford Reserve bourbon or Herradura tequila cocktail with delicious veggie rolls and hot chicken bao buns from Harriet's. Nashville Smile Bar will capture the moment while DJ LA FORCE of QDP is sure to keep things lively. All proceeds from the NFW Day Party will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Tickets to the NFW Day Party are $30. A limited number of tickets are on sale now at NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund 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 proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week each year. Previous recipients include Megan Prange, Van Hoang, Maria Silver, Brett Warren, Eric Adler, Ceri Hoover, Elise Joseph, Lauren Leonard and Julianna Bass.

1 Hotel Nashville opened in July 2022 as the first mission-driven luxury hotel in Downtown Nashville. Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville, directly across from the Music City Center and within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the property’s 215 rooms, including 61 suites with expansive city and skyline views, offer a level of service and comfort unrivaled in the region. A verdant ivy-covered façade and native landscaping evoke nearby natural attractions, from the bustle of the Cumberland River to the Smoky Mountains and the Natchez Trace. The urban retreat also includes 6,000 square feet of sustainable luxury meeting and event spaces as well as three distinct food & beverage outlets: 1 Kitchen, a sustainably sourced farm-to-table restaurant by Culinary Director and Top Chef alum Chris Crary; Harriet’s Rooftop, en elevated nightlife venue; and Neighbors, a café offering seasonal, fresh, picnic-fare showcasing ingredients from local purveyors. To recharge the mind, body, and spirit, guests can enjoy specially crafted treatments at Bamford Wellness Spa and Anatomy fitness center. For more information, please visit 1Hotels.com/Nashville. 

Woodford Reserve is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, tucked in the heart of thoroughbred country in Versailles, Kentucky. A National Historic Landmark, the Woodford Reserve Distillery represents craftsmanship with a balance of historic heritage and modern practices. Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, a premier producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands including Jack Daniel’s, Finlandia, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Old Forester, Sonoma-Cutrer and Chambord. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. To learn more about Woodford Reserve, visit us woodfordreserve.com or check us out on Facebook. 

Shop Nashville 2020

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK PRESENTS SHOP NASHVILLE 2020 RETAIL PARTNERS AND EVENTS 

The Nashville Fashion Week Digital Experience is just a few days away and tickets are going fast for our FREE Fashion Talks and our three virtual Learning Labs. Follow Nashville Fashion Week closely on Instagram and Facebook next week for spotlights on our nineteen NFW 2020 designers and Shop Nashville partners. You don't want to miss a single one of these exciting digital events. Visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com to view the full schedule, including detailed event descriptions for each of our Shop Nashville participating retailers. We look forward to "seeing" you soon!

We are just twelve "We Are Nashville Fashion" T-Shirt sales away from reaching our goal. Please purchase your limited edition shirt HERE so that we can donate even more masks to MasksNow TN.

Shop Nashville is a city-wide celebration designed to encourage and support the local retail and maker community with creative and interactive ways to support our Nashville businesses. Shop our daily special events and promotions throughout the city at a wide variety of your favorite businesses on Tuesday, August 4 through Saturday, August 8. Our retail partners and several designers will host their own unique event and/or offer special discounts next week. All of these participating businesses, as well as several others that could not participate at this time, have made a donation to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to show their support for our local fashion community. Please make plans to shop and support all of these retailers next week. Our independent businesses need us more than ever at this time!

Shop Nashville Events Include:

• Cosmetic Market will go live on Instagram at 4 p.m. Wednesday with Oribe to discuss hair, fashion and upcoming hair trends for fall 2020. They will offer a special Oribe gift during and after their event with any Oribe purchase.

• Enjoy the Brides by Glitz Nashville Mother of the Bride and Groom Fashion Show on Facebook Live on Thursday at 5 p.m.

• Emerson Grace will host a spotlight on style from Nashville creatives and tastemakers in their 12South store on Thursday at 5 p.m. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram too to see what these local trendsetters are coveting this summer. 

• Artist Ashley Trabue Studio is creating a small batch of NFW designer-inspired PORTALS that will draw their palette, mood, and elements from each designer's collection. She will host her NFW Mini Release on Instagram on Friday, August 7 at 9 p.m. 

• Book a Private Shopping Styling Session at Bonobos before or after regular shopping hours and save 30%.

• Visit Levy's for daily surprise Pop-Up Shops.

• Margaret Ellis Jewelry is offering private appointments to shop the ME Studio or to do a Facetime shopping spree with a special NFW 25% offer for online orders too August 4 - 8.

• Tune in to Instagram and Facebook daily for fashion inspiration from FLIP or stop by their women's or men's store in person. 

• Take advantage of discounts exclusive to Nashville Fashion Week. Save 15% off Disco Cowgirl at H. Audrey, $100 off any women's custom suit at Eric Adler Clothing and enjoy 25% off your website purchases at ABLE from August 4 - 8. 

• Three of our NFW designers, Lily Guilder (Saturday, 4 p.m.), The Morgan Factory (Wednesday, 4 p.m.) and No Worries (Friday, 6 p.m.) are offering special promotions surrounding their NFW Digital Experience debut next week.

Please shop all of our designers and also our other 2020 supporting retailer partners: Billy Reid, Haymakers, Hemline, J. Michael Clothier, Molly Green and Rachel's at The Hermitage Hotel. Our retail community needs our support now more than ever. 

Visit NashvilleFashionWeek.com for full details on all of these events and links to their websites.