Southern Style: 3 Must-Wear Nashville Fashion Designers

You know your city's fashion scene is sizzling when The New York Times publishes a story pitting it against another burg's in a veritable death match to determine which one can run with big dogs on the coasts. But while whippersnapper Nashville smacked down Columbus, Ohio in that recent duel, there's more creative juice flowing through Tennessee's capital city than just within its booming rag trade -- or even the music industry.

Sure, Nashvegas boasts the third highest per capita concentration of fashion companies in the U.S. behind the Big Apple and Tinseltown. But tastemakers of all kinds are flourishing there, in part thanks to the city's cheap digs.

"The people who moved to bigger cities to be creatives have gotten priced out of those cities," says Libby Callaway, board chair of the Nashville Fashion Alliance, a two-year-old trade organization founded to give designers the resources they need to succeed. "So, these secondary markets like Nashville have been attractive, because it's still reasonably affordable to set up shop here, and there is a captive, really wonderful audience that is into supporting local."

"I do think the music industry made people realize that you could grow a cottage industry out of your talent, and personal vision," Callaway continues. "Our designers have interesting stories to tell, and their stories are heard a lot more clearly in a market that isn't diluted with a huge number of makers...you can be a bigger fish in a smaller pond."

Smaller pond or not, Nashville has enough talented creatives turning out cutting edge fashion, home goods, furnishings and more that for design aficionados a shopping spree there has become a must. But before you book that plane tic, do your homework and take a peek at the following Nashville-based makers that had us yanking out our plastic.

AtelierSavas

Someday in the not-too-distant future, leather-wearing muckety-mucks are going to ask each other if their jacket is from AtelierSavas and woe to anyone wearing anything else. Each one is handmade by Savannah Yarborough, former head menswear designer for Southern powerhouse brand Billy Reid, and completely customized to the client, who typically pays between $7,500 and $8,500 for it.

It takes Reid about three months to make each jacket, in part because the shape is usually streamlined and several fittings are involved. And then there's all the sexy detailing, like the intricate embroidery on the lining that is a hallmark of AtelierSavas.

"I love being able to hand over this power because that's what a leather jacket is -- you put it on and you're like, 'Fuck, I feel good,'" says Yarborough, a sardonic delight who looks a lot like Reese Witherspoon after a bender. "Even if you look like shit and you have sweatpants on, you put on your jacket and you feel better going to the grocery store. It's the most powerful piece of clothing you can own."

What's next for the nearly three-year-old AtelierSavas? With a recent 1,000-foot showroom and design space expansion, Yarborough is trying her talented hands at leather leggings. She'd like to start a line of velvet wear, too, with an eye toward outfitting lesbian weddings.

Two Son

Two Son, a basics brand that made a big splash when it opened a store in the East Nashville neighborhood at the end of 2015, is about to cause some serious waves. New athleisure and novelty knit designs are on the way, as well as more styles of the label's popular jeans for men and women in what co-founder David Perry calls "amazing washes."

Perry, who owns the fashion and production company The DSP Group, joined with his wife, Leigh Watson, and buddy Aubrey McCoy and his wife, James Kicinski-McCoy, to create Two Son. The goal was to fill what the couples saw as a void in the city's retail landscape, which has skewed distinctly traditional. Although they planned to stick with menswear, the partners fast discovered there was an equally big market for women's garments.

But new styles aren't the company's biggest news. "A large part of the new direction for Two Son will lean upon sustainable fabrics, 100 percent USA made, ethically produced," says Perry. "We wish to become a role model to other U.S. brands. I am currently having Tennessee grown, sustainable cotton knitted into fabric that will become the new Two Son tees -- cut and sewn in the USA...End goal? A garment factory of our own in Nashville."

Peter Nappi

Hailing from a line of shoemakers going all the way back to the old country, Phillip Nappi was born to design footwear. In 2009, he embraced his birthright, moving his family to Firenze, Italy, where he studied the craft under master cobblers. In 2011 he debuted the brand named after his grandfather, Peter, which also includes bags, belts and small accessories guided by an ethos of which his kinfolk would be proud.

"We believe authentic character and style are cultivated over a lifetime and are dedicated to producing goods that reflect that," details Peter Nappi co-owner Dana Nappi, Phillip's wife. "Our pieces are meant to be both loved and lived in...to wear beautifully with time and age. To that end, it is essential we chose the highest quality leather and components. We use a lot of kudu, cavallo and vitello leather sourced from across the globe, most of which is not available in the States. We also use Vero Cuoio soles -- the best in the world."

One of Nashville's best-known brands, Peter Nappi recently cut the ribbon on a new store in the trendy 12South neighborhood, where Reese Witherspoon's clothing company, Draper James, has its flagship boutique. Fall will bring the chance for Peter Nappi clientele to customize their footwear's shape, leather and finishing.

Nashville Intel

So you've shopped 'til you've dropped -- now what?

The Union Station Hotel
Located in a gorgeous 19th-century train station, the hotel is within walking distance from nifty pleasures like the Johnny Cash Museum.

Husk Nashville
James Beard-winner Sean Brock's inventive restaurant proves not all Southern meals have to revolve around meat and threes.

Ryman Auditorium
See a performance in it if you can, take a tour of it if you can't -- The 125-year-old Ryman Auditorium is flat-out magical.

Robert's Western World
You're pretty much not allowed to leave Nashville without a stop in its honky tonks; Robert's Western World offers hot rockabilly and cold PBRs.

Play Nashville
Nashville, one of the most progressive cities in the South, has a good selection of LGBT bars, but Play is the biggest -- and the perfect place to show off those new threads.