2021 SYMPHONY FASHION SHOW

The Symphony Fashion Show, one of Nashville’s most glamorous nights is back!

Symphony Fashion Show 2021 Co-Chair Angela Bostelman, Symphony Fashion Show 2021 Executive Chair Sandra Lipman and Symphony Fashion Show 2021 Co-Chair Sarah Reisner by Alan Pozier courtesy of Nashville Symphony

Back, live and in person. I should say live and in color as Sandra Lipman, Executive Chair, one of my designated style stars of the evening, set the tone in a chic, bright, haute hue ensemble of pink, orange and red. My other style star was Emily Humphreys in an off the shoulder winter floral dress. As you all know I love a winter floral! The neckline and length were perfect and I loved that it was styled with a pink sandal with flower details.

Mark and Emily Humphreys photographed by Kathy Thomas Photography courtesy of Nashville Symphony

I must say it was wonderful to finally attend an event in person. The Symphony and the Fashion Show Committee, chaired by Angela Bostelman and Sarah Reisner worked diligently with heath partner, HCA Healthcare to put protocols in place to ensure the safety of all attendees. Since I was covering this by myself and there wasn’t a social or cocktail hour prior to the show I arrived at 5:45pm. At the steps of Schermerhorn I immediately ran into Courtney Robinson and Adrian Morales covering the event for The Nashville Edit. Adrian took a photo and Courtney wanted to know what I was wearing – Alberta Ferretti jacket, Chanel brooch, Giorgio Armani black snake print shirt, silver St. John pants and silver Donald J. Pliner loafers. I saw Chanel guru Barry Grider out of the corner of my eye. Arnita Ozgener (another style star!) in a gorgeous marigold Alice & Olivia dress ran up to say hello. After catching up with Adrian and Courtney it was time for a quick temperature check before being shown to a founders box.

Carly Pierce Photo by Alan Poizner courtesy of Nashville Symphony.

One of the first things I noticed was the stage. I thought the panels looked great and I loved the arch with flowers that framed the entry for the backdrop. The event opened with Runaway June. The girls are gorgeous! They’re managed by my friend and star-maker, Fletcher Foster. He’s gorgeous too. I thought I spotted him watching the show on the floor, off to the side a bit. They performed Lipstick, We Were Rich and Buy My Own Drinks. They looked and sounded wonderful! I almost forgot what it was like to hear live music. Next up was a short message from Bryson Finney and the We Are Nashville video.

Runway June’s Natalie Stovall, Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne with Nashville Symphony president and CEO, Alan Valentine photographed by Alan Poizner courtesy of Nashville Symphony

The fashion show, presented by Gus Mayer, Zang Toi’s Fall 2021 Collection, Paris, My ❤️, opened with three models posing at the arch wearing colorful coats over head to toe black. Visually it had great impact. The music, French, very French, was beautiful. A little slower than I would have liked – a faster tempo would have been better for the models to walk to. And speaking of models and music, the volume was too low. I could here the clack of the models’ heels on the runway as they walked. Be that as it may, it was a beautiful collection. It was a consistent color story of blacks and greys with pops of color. There were the signature evening dresses – so pretty. Sammi, even masked I would know that walk anywhere, closed the show in a pink gown with Eifel Tower beaded down the front in tribute to the “City of Lights.”

From the 3rd floor I spotted several friends and familiar faces among the patrons watching the show – Emily and Mark Humphreys, Tyler Riggins, Viviana Lavin, Julie Schneider, Jana Davis, Lisa Hooker Campbell, Barbara Bovender, Annette Eskind, Nan Parrish, Sandra Lipman, Laurie Eskind, Emily Noel, Katie Crumbo, Laurie Seabury, Lisa Manning, Vicki Horne and Debbie Pitts. While I would have loved the have been able to interact with each of them I was very happy to see them out and enjoying themselves. After the fashion show ended there was a brief video presentation of Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando initiative. Then Carly Pearce, fresh from her double ACM Awards win, took the stage and performed Every Little Thing, Next Girl and I Hope You’re Happy Now.

Laurie Seabury, fashion designer Zang Toi and Katie Crumbo photographed by Alan Poizner courtesy of Nashville Symphony

Event designer Bruce Pittman had a playful, pink, larger-than-life Eifel Tower installed in the lobby. I only got a glimpse of the invitation but thanks to Jay Joyner and Joyner & Hogan Printers they were beautiful. I was told Johnny Haffner did a great job with the food. I heard in addition to being delicious it was creative in it’s presentation. There was a clever, thoughtful layer that included a container you use should you want to take any remaining food with you. Congratulations to Angela, Sarah and Sandra! Très magnifique!

Emily Noel and Laurie Eskind photographed by Alan Poizner courtesy of Nashville Symphony

Amanda and David Schwartz photographed by Alan Poizner courtesy of Nashville Symphony

Laura Niewold and Lisa Manning Photographed by Kathy Thomas Photography courtesy of Nashville Symphony