On August 28, the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville (ABC) launched its new Salon Series with Nashville: Style in the Making, an engaging evening of networking and conversation in which local leaders in fashion reflected on the craft, design, and innovation of the industry in Nashville.
The Salon began with networking and interactive experiences, followed by a conversation with leaders of successful fashion brands in Music City, including Savannah Yarborough, SAVAS : American Luxury Menswear, Ethan Kiyoshi Summers, Oil/Lumber, and Michael Stricklin, Loyal Stricklin. Lead Conversationalist Emmanuel J. LeGrair, Creative Director at R.H. Boyd and an ABC board member, moderated the discussion, weaving together how each of the panelists built their brands, what they learned along the way, and what they see as the greatest strengths and needs to move the sector forward.
Attendees spoke directly with ABC staff about its programs and services to support their creative endeavors, and the TN Fashion Council, a fiscally sponsored project of ABC, was on hand to engage the local fashion community. Through interactive prompts, guests shared their insights into Nashville’s fashion industry, what makes it great, and what it needs to thrive. The event was hosted at Zeitgeist, a local art gallery in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood and a staple in Nashville’s creative community since 1994.
Key insights from the responses to the prompts reveal that Nashville’s fashion community is valued for its creativity, diversity of influences, and collaborative spirit, but it faces challenges. The highest need identified was for greater resources and infrastructure, such as access to fabric stores, materials, and industry directories. Need for mentorship opportunities, stronger connections between students and established professionals, and a more cohesive, authoritative network were called for. Taken all together, the responses suggest that Music City’s fashion scene has the talent, but needs better connectivity, industry support, and opportunities to elevate local designers onto a broader stage.
About the Salon Series
The Arts & Business Council’s Salon Series is a new event platform designed to spark conversation, gather insight, and build community across Nashville’s creative sector. Each gathering spotlights a different area of the creative economy such as fashion, film, or design through interactive experiences and thoughtful dialogue with local leaders. It’s a space to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of the arts in our city.