Nashville Fashion Week witnesses exhilarating runway shows

First day began with an effective series of industry panels at the newly developed Trolley Barns of Rolling Mill Hill featuring in-depth discussions from leaders in the fashion industry from across the United States. The day continued in the same location with runway shows featuring eye-popping designs from TUFT, Black by Maria Silver, Pink Elephants Design, Kat Seaton and three-time Nashville Fashion Weekheadlining designer T. Rains, whose mix of powerful yet playful couture looks never disappoint.

The morning of the second day kicked off with revered runway shows inside the historic Belmont Mansion that included a bridal and evening wear collection from Modern Trousseau and black-tie looks from Memeka by Gustavo Cadile. The packed tea luncheon hosted by Arnold Myint's newly opened eatery, blvd, served as the perfect setting for guests to dish where they were heading to support Nashville SHOPS Day, which included special promotions, events and designer trunk shows at more than 40 Nashville Fashion Week retail partners across the city.

The third day’s events were completed with back-to-back cocktail parties for Shopping Night Out sponsored by The Gulch at two of its' newest destinations, Pine Street Flats and Kocktails & Kouture.

It's no secret that our city is trending with excitement over Nashville Fashion Week 2013. In just over three days, several thousand social media updates have participated in the hashtag #WHYNFW campaign.

Nashville Fashion Week continues through April 6, 2013. The final runway shows will include collections from SAND, Abi Ferrin, Lagi Nadeau and the 2012 Nashville Fashion Forward Fund recipient, Leona.

Special guests this evening include Mychael Knight of Project Runway: All Star Challenge, singer/songwriterCody Belew from NBC's The Voice, who will be performing live and visual artist Heidi Schwartz, who will document this exciting event on canvas while making an original, oil painting that will be auctioned off at the end of the event. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund.

The finale of Nashville Fashion Week will take place with the Emerging Designer Showcase. In lieu of a conventional runway show, this showcase will feature capsule collections from Blooming Leopold, Voyage Clothing, Corello, Elizabeth Suzann, Sarah Jane Estes, Jennifer Nina Evans and Phillip Madison in an exciting, new venue. Mychael Knight of Project Runway: All Star Challenge will be returning for his second evening as a special guest of Red Bull to mentor these emerging designers and also to serve as the evening's host.

Nashville Fashion Week