Amanda Valentine Spring 2014 Trunk Show
There's a lot more going on in Nashville during Fashion Week than runway shows. Throughout the week lots of boutiques and specialty shops all over Nashville host special sales and trunk shows. After all, what's the point of showcasing prominent designers if you can't buy some of their fabulous pieces?
To that end, I was happy to accept my friend Amanda Valentine's invitation to see her new collection for Spring 2014 firsthand.
Image courtesy of Amanda Valentine
Peter Nappi is well known in Music City for his finely crafted Italian leather boots and shoes, bags, and accessories. His showroom is located in Germantown, not far from Marathon Music Works (which houses A&E's American Pickers' Antique Archeology), and was once an industrial boiler room. Unfortunately, it's also inaccessible.
But Nashville hospitality seldom tolerates barriers if it can be helped. Clint went inside to find out whether there was another entrance that may have had access via a ramp. He was told there wasn't, but the two gentlemen in the shop were going to help lift my 200-plus-pound chair the 18" from the ground to the studio entrance. And they graciously did just that. What a classy pair of guys!
It was worth the climb. What a beautiful space and the perfect venue for an intimate trunk show.
Image courtesy of Peter Nappi
I know I gush about Amanda's work but it's because I really love it. Her designs have an edge to them that never reads too young or contrived. There's a clean, classic confidence in her couture, and that's why it works.
Image courtesy of Amanda Valentine
Image courtesy of Amanda Valentine
Here's a little bit of our conversation about her new collection.
Remember last time I told you I got to play supermodel? Have a look at yours truly in one of Amanda's kimono jackets.
I'm such a goofball, and she was so sweet to let me try it on. We both agreed that the sleeve diameter was far too wide for me (I had visions of all that fabric getting caught in my wheels). But a modified version would work quite nicely. It's in the works. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime I settled for this graphic Tee. Look for it in future outfit posts.
Amanda shared the Nappi studio space with another gifted designer's trunk show. Brook Seraphine of Serephine Design makes some of the most unique and exquisite jewelry I've seen in a long time. Her pieces graced the Black by Maria Silver Collection on NFW Opening Night. She'll have her own feature here on the blog soon.
Speaking of soon, I do have a birthday coming up and I'm hinting like crazy for one of these necklaces. We'll see how that goes.
Sharing with the lovely ladies at Visible Monday, Monday Mingle and Monday Bloom.