IN THE SPOTLIGHT
In a season marked by bold dressing, occasion-inspired embellishment, and bright palettes, brands have married their best-known silhouettes with the top trends of spring. “For this show, we will highlight more brighter colors than usual. Downtown Broadway is known as ‘NashVegas’ and Planet Cowboy will hit it out of the park,” said Jaylin Ramer, Creator and Founder, Planet Cowboy, noting that the collection would also capture the high-shine trend by including metallic leathers.
Though evergreen styling and silhouettes like cowboy boots serve at the core of collections, brands look forward to sharing seasonal updates; especially those that sparkle, with most brands highlighting rhinestones as a decorative element this season. “With country music's crossover appeal and Hollywood leading the way with shows like Yellowstone, everything in fashion now has a ‘western’ connotation or cowboy undertone. [MAGIC Nashville] has a more localized feel, as though you can feel Nashville's influence, with a stronger sense of Americana in its offerings,” said Ron Owens, Vice President and National Brand Manager, Dingo. “I’m most excited to show our newest collections, which includes a very unique group of rhinestone styles, as well as other key groupings with embroidery, and a core category of more authentic ‘western’ fashion.”
“Being a Nashville based brand we are influenced by country music and western styles, especially the cowgirl glam that is so trendy right now. Thinking all things western... we add a modern and trendy twist to them,” said Mary Kathryn Martinson, Owner and Designer, Mary Kathryn Design.
Glam translates across categories, as noted by Amy Kinslow, Owner and Designer, Southern Fried Design Barn. “Buyers will see denim and diamonds, wide brim hats with decorative accessories, scarves and bandanas, fringe, and western flair booties along with diamond booties. Many of these trends are becoming staple pieces in the wardrobe of country music artists, which in return influences the local style.”
KEEP IT CASUAL
Though luxe styling elements are a focus, brands note that casualized dressing—denim, graphic knits, and boots—create a local uniform that can be translated into markets anywhere. “Our target audience has a relaxed but still put together style,” said Kinslow. As this aesthetic translates globally, Kinslow and other executives look forward to working with retailers at the event in strategizing how western style will work best for their clients. “I'm looking forward to meeting buyers who are new to our brand and hopefully expanding the line into new stores and regions.”
BRING IT HOME
As the countdown to MAGIC Nashville gets closer, locals happily anticipate welcoming brands and buyers from all over to shop and celebrate in their home city and bringing a bit of Music City back home. “We are looking forward to another high energy show; we had a blast last year. It’s so exciting seeing customers get excited for the pieces that they have picked out knowing their customers will be easily as excited,” said Martinson.
The energy and joy of the event translates to the curation of collections; a major selling point for brands like Dingo. “The thing I enjoy most is seeing the reaction of the retailers when they see the new product,” said Owens. “Fortunately for us, most of our retailers are also our consumers, so we see a much stronger sense of emotion than normal when showing our product. We’re looking forward to the show, as it is fun to work, the retailers enjoy it, and most now know Nashville as a major destination.”