The fourth annual Nashville Fashion Week starts Tuesday, April 1, kicking off a week of runway shows, retail events and networking parties. The week always includes one day of meaty panel discussions, and this year, panelists are offering a data-driven look into the state of Nashville's fashion industry.
A group of locals are pushing to build a more sustainable fashion industry in Nashville. They argue the city's high concentration of creative workers, central geography and entrepreneurial spirit make it a prime candidate for the new wave of smaller, apparel production hubs emerging across the country and can add to the momentum the city's already seen through companies like Imogene + Willie or Otis James.
But first, they needed to know where exactly Nashville is starting. In late 2013, they partnered with Nashville Fashion Week to conduct a survey of the local fashion community.
'After having the conversations, it became pretty clear that what we were missing was good data,' said Van Tucker, a banking industry veteran and one of the people leading the charge. 'How big is the industry? How many people are involved or employed? How many designers? Do we have any manufacturers? What do they do? What do they need?'
The results and recommended next steps will be presented on Wednesday, April 2, at a panel titled 'Sustaining the Fashion Industry in Nashville,' which will include insight from various fashion industry consultants and the survey organizers.
Additional panels that day include a session on how technology is changing the fashion industry, featuring bloggers, marketers and publishers; a session on the rise of social enterprise; and a 90-minute session with Johanna Stout, professional development manager of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the New York-based trade group.
E.J. Boyer covers the Music City's tourism, hospitality and music business.
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