Nashville Fashion Week Kickoff Party

Last Tuesday Nashville Fashion Week 2015 kicked off with a celebration at the Rosewall and the announcement of this year's Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient.

Established in 2011, the objective of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is to provide an award that recognizes the individual achievements of a fashion industry professional. The financial resources that accompany the award are intended to provide an experiential professional development opportunity for the recipient to further advance their career in the fashion industry.

This year's winner is Ceri Hoover.

Ceri Hoover and Nashville fashion designer Amanda Valentine both learned to sew using their Mothers' machines. Hoover designed her first clutch while working on a pillow for her interior design business. The bag was such a hit she decided to turn it into a brand. Ceri Hoover Bags are now carried in 150+ retailers, as well as the local studio showroom in Marathon Village, and have been sported by the likes of Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Marisa Tomei. She is the first accessory designer ever selected to be the recipient of the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund.

Coincidentally, Julianna Bass, the very first winner of the fund, just showed her collection at New York Fashion Week - proving unequivocally that Nashville's got this haute couture thing down.  I'm excited to see what Nashville Fashion Week has in store for us this year. Almost as excited as I am to share what I'll be wearing.  Watch for details on both as they become available here on the blog.

For now you'll have to make due with some photos from the fabulous kickoff party.

 Guests were treated to cocktails by Deep Eddy Vodka and snacks courtesy of the Rosewall. Of course, the best part of the evening was enjoying the company of  over 300 wonderful party goers that came out to support Nashville Fashion Week. If you'd like to see more of these beautiful people please visit my Facebook Photo Album Nashville Fashion Week Kickoff 2015

You may be surprised to know that my outfit is comprised mostly of second-hand pieces. The black velvet shirt is a recent Goodwill find, the faux fur jacket is from Poshmark, and my wonderful hat was a flea market purchase. By now I'm sure you recognize my leopard booties from Shi. I love them because they will never be out of style. The only new piece is the sequin skirt from Nordstrom Rack. 

I am already fine-tuning my wardrobe in anticipation of  fashion week festivities, which will take place April 7-11. I'll post details as they become available. I think you'll like some of my picks, and I'm proud to say I'll be wearing a lot of local fashion and locally-curated vintage.

I'm so excited!

Linking with Share In Style, Style to Inspire, Creative Mondays, Monday Mingle and Inspire Me Monday