Even though I haven't been in school for some time, the back-to-school vibe this time of year always makes me want a new plaid OOTD. (It doesn’t hurt that it’s the Jewish New Year, too, and traditionally I wear something new-to-me for the holiday.) Local fashion designers might not have the same profile as Nashville musicians, but creativity reigns here, so I set out to discover the work of some of Music City’s fashion designers.
If you want to feel like the Nashville elite, head to Savas Nashville in Wedgewood-Houston. That’s the atelier of Savannah Yarborough, who makes bespoke and made-to-measure leather goods for A-listers and the rest of us, because if one of her jackets is good enough for the likes of John Prine (RIP) and Jack White, it’s good enough for us. Savas develops its own leathers with a tannery in Italy to make men’s and women’s jackets, pants, boots, and more.
Jaylin Ramer designs cowboy boots, hats, clothing, and scarves so packed with personality that you’ll want to stock up, even if you’re not someone who sees cowboy boots as part of the essential Nashvillian wardrobe. Ramer has an impeccable sense of style and recently moved the shop into Wedgewood-Houston, which means lots more room for lots more stuff. Must-haves this fall are the 14-inch wingtips, which are a good take on Nashville “office” wear, and a pink boot called, of course, the Dolly, which Jaylin is introducing this week. I also love Planet Cowboy’s iconic surfer girl tee.
Some of the kicks in stock at Planet Cowboy. (Courtesy Planet Cowboy)
For more than a decade, Lipscomb grad Liz Alig has designed fair-trade clothing using sustainable textiles, selling online and through boutiques. Earlier this year, she opened her first retail space. The Riverside Village shop is light and airy, showcasing her sweaters, skirts, and coats. Every piece is made from recycled textiles or handwoven cotton, farmer-sourced wool, and hand-knit natural sweaters. The shop features lots of pretty, patterned wool you can get your hands on right now.
Natalie Busby’s soft, flowy womenswear is designed and made in Nashville and sold out of an East Nashville studio. Many of the pieces are solid colors with an ethereal quality, ready to toss in a suitcase or wear when the temperatures are hot, but the calendar says “fall.”
