Nashville Fashion Week 2014 Opening Night

I want to give you an idea of what it was like to be at Opening Night of Nashville Fashion Week 2014.

Image courtesy of Robin Quinn photography

Nashville is the "it" city right now and there's no better proof of that than last night's City Showcase runway shows at The Rosewall. Eight designers from all across the country showed us their 2014 collections. I've assembled some quick highlights so you get a basic idea of some of the incredible pieces I saw last night. More detailed posts will follow - but why wait?

Melrose Place 10

Abi Ferrin

Laura Kathleen

Black by Maria Silver

Don't let the empty seats fool you, it was a standing room only, sold-out event. That's good news for The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee which helps foster local designers and the burgeoning fashion scene. The Nashville Fashion Week folks were incredibly good to me and gave me a place to park right next to the photographers at the end of the runway. Unlike countless other events I've attended I actually had an unobstructed view. They gave me equal access and that just adds to my already high opinion of how they are drawing attention to Nashville as a big-city fashion center that retains the grace and hospitality that's always been synonymous with this town. As long as that's the case I will work tirelessly towards promoting that end.

And to all of my readers who are disabled, over 40, plus sized. or feeling disenfranchised in any way - my being at NFW is a foot in the door for all of you. We all matter, but if you don't show up to the party you can't expect anyone to let you in. Don't give up.

The Emerging Designers show this evening is sold out, as is the Gala on Thursday. I'll be attending both Friday and Saturday night's events. In the meantime watch Spashionista's social media for tidbits and snippets of NFW goings on.