What I Wore To Nashville Fashion Week 2015
The second week of April Nashville celebrated it's fourth Fashion Week - and, thanks to all of you, I was there to see it all. I have a lot to say about the designers I met, the friends I made, and the runway shows and events.
But first we're going to talk about what I wore to the events. This year I had to come up with seven evening and two daytime looks. Fortunately, this year I had a lot of help. Three vintage boutiques, numerous accessory artisans and a gifted tailor saw to it that I looked like a million dollars all week long. Let me show you what I had the honor of wearing to Nashville Fashion Week 2015.
Monday: BloggerGirls Event
On Monday night the BloggerGirls - aka Melissa Watkins, Alicia Boswell, and Kendra Letitia - hosted an event called Create, Connect. It was a fun evening with informative speakers and lots of networking opportunities. I was so excited to wear the black lace, pearl-and-beadwork trimmed kimono from Tiffany's Boutique. It's one-of-a-kind and was designed specifically for me by Tiffany herself. I received it just a few days prior, and it was a complete surprise. The necklace and bag are also from her shop.
Tuesday: Nashville Designers Showcase @ Acme Feed & Seed
For opening night I sported a vintage 1970's black maxi from Tiffany's Boutique. Payton Kemp called it, "Morticia goes to prom", and I fell in love with it the moment I put it on. The color-block platform shoes and breathtaking, sparkly necklace are courtesy of Pura Vida Vintage.
Wednesday Morning: Trade Show @ The Cordelle
The trade show was an invitation only opportunity to meet with a handful of designers and get a closer look at their creations. The printed dress, embellished shrug, and black-and-white beaded necklace are courtesy of and styled by Tiffany. My wedges and bag are from Shi, and the gorgeous tumbled stone bracelet is by the inimitable Seraphine Design.
Wednesday Night: Accessories As Art @ The Cordelle
This 1950's lace cocktail dress is one of my favorites because it survived the fire that consumed Pura Vida Vintage. You've seen it before; when I tried it on initially it was much too big. But Only One Tailoring did an amazing job of altering the dress until it looked like it had been made for me. The amber-colored earrings are from Pura Vida Vintage as well and, although you can't see it very well in this shot I am wearing a demure little Sunnyband. Tiffany's Boutique supplied the ruffled bag and the shoes are Seychelles' Heritage line.
Thursday: Design + Fashion @ Mitchell Gold+ Bob Williams
Here's another Pura Vida Vintage find. A 1960's pink (yes, pink; bubble-gum pink at that) dress with gray beaded detail at the cuffs and neckline. Honestly, I had my doubts about this one, but I got a steady stream of compliments so I suppose Krystle Ramos' instincts were on target. The rhinestone earrings were her idea, too. I wanted to add a little edge so I opted for my skull clutch from Shi and a pair of ASOS wide-fit New Look leopard print sandals.
Friday: Ready To Wear Showcase @ Bicentennial Mall Amphitheater
This dress is the perfect example of a garment that reads borderline campy on the hanger and bombshell on the body. Yet another Pura Vida Vintage frock, this one made the Nashville Fashion Week's Favorite Looks list on Instagram. I paired it with the black clutch from Tiffany's Boutique, a bronze tassel necklace from Margaret Ellis Studio, Seraphine Designs bracelet, and purple platform sandals from SimplyBe.
Saturday Morning: Industry Panels @ City Winery
Nothing says Spring like a sundress. I fell in love with this 1970's striped dress at Pura Vida Vintage's Grand Re-Opening and, rather than having it hemmed, decided to wear it a tea-length dress to preserve the detail at the bottom. The lace jacket is a $20 Marshall's find, and the sandals are a Stein-Mart steal. Every time I wear one of Daisy Alexandria Designs' necklaces I get no end of compliments, so I wear them often.
Saturday Night: Gala Dinner And After-Party @ The Rosewall
This is the A-Game outfit. Once again, the black velvet, blue satin trimmed dress is from Pura Vida Vintage. It fit like a glove and only needed the hem raised; an easy task for Only One Tailoring. The beautiful bespoke necklace was designed exclusively for me by Elizabeth Cooke, as was the breathtaking peacock inspired Sunnyband.Add a pair of Crown T-strap shoes from DSW and a lovely vintage bag from Tiffany's Boutique
Sunday: Fashion Happening Event
Here's where it all came to a grinding halt; literally. On my way to the event we were involved in a four-car accident. Car number one slammed on it's brakes with no warning and the other three cars were forced to follow suit. We had the worst of the damage. The Spashionista mobile is totalled, and the impact jammed the seat-belt buckle into my ribs. But isn't this Asian gown from Opium Vintage spectacular? I promise to reprise it in the future - once I have a vehicle that can carry me and my chariot around.
What I wore to NFW15 is the result of many months of collaboration, curation, and collection. I would like to thank all the boutiques and artisans that worked with me to produce the end results. I'm so deeply honored by everyone that took the time to pick out and alter pieces that made me look my best for every event. It should be noted that the majority of my wardrobe was created or curated right here in Nashville. That makes me very proud indeed. Not bad for an old girl with Cerebral Palsy in a wheelchair - and from here on out it's only going to get better.
More about Nashville Fashion Week 2015 next time. I want to show off my friends outfits, too, because they were fabulous.
Linking up with Monday Mingle, Creative Mondays, Style To Inspire , Turning Heads Tuesday and Reasons to Dress