Symphony Fashion Show Shines With Oscar de la Renta, Carrie Underwood

Select gowns in Oscar de la Renta's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. Photo: Nashville Symphony

Carrie Underwood at last night's event. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Fashion is where art meets life, and last night (2/28) Nashville experienced the effect first hand.

The exclusive preview of acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection concluded with a performance by Carrie Underwood—a frequent face on best-dressed lists. Backed by a full band, she offered a three-song acoustic set including brand new single “Good Girl,” and hits “Undo It” and “Before He Cheats.”

Storme Warren hosted the sold-out fundraiser for the Symphony’s education initiatives, an annual event which attracts Music City socialites dressed in their fashion-forward finest. This year organizers teamed with Nordstrom to present the evening.

The Schermerhorn is a gorgeous backdrop for a runway showcase. The Symphony’s string ensemble opened the event. A DJ spinning dance mixes of Coldplay’s “Paradise” and other tracks upped the tempo as a series of models in striking black and white designs started the fashion parade. More bold patterns followed, as well as brightly colored solids—some of the coming season’s hottest hues are cranberry and electric blue.

De la Renta’s collection ranges from casual, cozy sweaters to formal gowns in shades of muted gold and soft pinks. Several show-stopping dresses drew applause from the crowd.

The evening continued with an exclusive dinner across the street at the Pinnacle Building, attended by patrons who supported the cause with $300 tickets. Less expensive tickets were available and included cocktail hour and the fashion show.