The Community Foundation

Nashville Fashion Week is a city-wide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its vast array of creative talent—featuring local, regional and national design talent in fashion events and shows, and encouraging both Nashvillians and visitors to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces throughout the week with promotions, partnerships and educational workshops.

On Wednesday, April 3, Nashville Fashion Week will host Industry Panels from 10:00am until 5:00pm at Emma's Bistro (9 Lea Avenue) at The Trolley Barns at Rolling Mill Hill.

There is no charge for the Industry Panels, but donations of $10 are encouraged. All donations benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. RESERVE YOUR TICKETS FOR THE INDUSTRY PANELS TODAY! The schedule is as follows:

10:00am to 11:30am
THE BUSINESS OF ATTIRE: HOW TO BUILD A FASHION BRAND
Experts dish the nitty-gritty of growing a fashion company from the ground up. A must for all designers as well as anyone who wants “real world” insight into how the fashion industry works.
Moderator: Sophie Simmons, designer/owner of a small luxury fashion company
Panel: Design, development and production specialist David Perry of The DSP Group; entertainment attorney Robert Darwell of Sheppard Mullin; designer and Nashville Fashion Fund 2012 winner Lauren Leonard of Leona; NFW 2013 designer Cally Rieman of Kal Rieman; retail recruiter for the Nashville Downtown Partnership Crissy Cassetty

1:30pm to 3:00pm
MUSIC CITY RETAIL ROCKS! SELLING FASHION IN NASHVILLE
Leading local retailers tell what it takes to run and buy for a fashion boutique. A variety of different business models will be explored, including online, direct sales, and traditional designer-driven stores.
Moderator: Elizabeth Broyhill, veteran Nashville retailer and brand and media consultant
Panel: Nashville-based designer and boutique owner Kayce Hughes; Thompson Fifteen owner Chelsea Eager; Sevier Skirts founder Suzanne Sevier Rowland; Kathy Hadley of POSH Boutique; Whitney Dunn, co-owner of The Perfect Pair

3:30pm to 5:00pm
LOOK SHARP! SELLING THE IMAGE
Pros weigh in on how strong visuals, good press assets and a solid social media plan sell a brand. It’s a boon for anyone who’s curious about the world of marketing and image.
Moderator: Libby Callaway, fashion writer/media consultant
Panel: 2013 Project Runway contestant and fashion designer Amanda Valentine of Valentine Valentine; Bismark Phillips Communications (BPCM) owner Carrie Phillips; Nashville Pinterest superstar and social media expert Lauren Zwanziger; Next Model Management agency director Alexis Borges; fashion/celebrity stylist and former contributor to Vogue and Love, Sally Lyndley