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Designer Manuel is a local legend in Nashville, having dressed the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and all three Hank Williams’s (among many others) in his signature rhinestone-laden couture cowboy suits. Pop round to the split store/studio space in Tk, and you’re likely to run into the self-proclaimed “Rhinestone Rembrandt” himself, who will most likely regale you with stories of dressing the Rat Pack, the Lone Ranger and other stars of yore.

Nashville

And while we’re on the topic of mind-boggling yumminess, one could not help but mention the utter deliciousness that exists at Burger Up. Owner Miranda Whitcomb Pontes, who previously worked for Chaiken in San Francisco and embodies a louche cool girl style, is committed to the idea of community in every essence. All of the food is locally-grown and hormone-free and the long wooden tables were made of salvaged wood from her grandfather’s farm.
The fresh atmosphere is only enhanced by the creative and delightfully Southern menu – Yazoo beer-battered cremini mushrooms, fried pickles with ranch dressing, and of course the burgers! The Woodstock, which features Benton Bacon, white Cabot cheese, and Jack Daniels maple ketchup, is stuff of legend.

Nashville

Over in the Green Hills section of Nashville, there are a coterie of cute shops – the best of which (for fashion connoisseurs anyway) would have to be H.Audrey.
Owner Holly Williams, who is not only a purveyor of fashion but also a talented musician and the daughter of local legend Hank Williams, Jr., has curated the store to include of the moment labels such as Rick Owens, Alexander Wang, A.L.C., and Elizabeth and James, among others.
When she’s not on the road with her band (or her husband’s, ahem the Kings of Leon) you’ll find Williams tucked away in the back of the boutique placing orders and taking inventory.

Nashville

Another must-stopshopping destination is Diamond Star Halo, which is owned and curated by former NY Post fashion editor Libby Callaway. Located in Fanny’s tk, the shop-in-shop vintage emporium includes racks of caftans, dresses, and designer goods culled from Callaway’s extensive travels throughout the U.S. and Europe. Assuaging all of the cool clothing and accessories is the complementary ephemera of which the Tennessee native also is known to acquire.

Nashville

Nashville

Nashville

It wouldn’t be a proper trip to Nashville without a few stops at the various stellar vintage shops. Among them is the the highly trafficked Venus and Mars: The Showroom, which is co-owned by supermodel/fledgling musician Karen Elson and costume designer Amy Patterson. Their extensive stash includes menswear (hence “Mars”), lingerie, doll-like exquisite dresses and jumpsuits as well as a plethora of accessories ranging from 1950s hosiery to wide-brimmed floral hats.

Venus & Mars: The Showroom, 2009 Belmont Road, Nashville, TN, 37212. Tel: (615)915-4846.

Nashville

With all of the happenings taking place down in Nashville lately (Imogen + Willie for J.Crew! Supermodel Karen Elson sings and talks fashion!), StyleList was more than happy to take a recent fashion-motivated tour of Music City. Everyone knows it is a vintage shopping and classic country kind of town, but what was also interesting to discover was the influx of everything from high haute couture to customized denim to incredulously cheap designer mark downs.

Nashville

Speaking of Elson, the supermodel-turned-musician gave her debut performance at Third Man Records which is owned by her multi-tasking husband and musician- in-his-own-right Jack White.
Aside from the recording studio, the space also includes a store (filled with everything from White Stripes USBs to exclusively created record players), a photo studio for shooting said up and coming acts, a 1950s era vintage kitchen, and a stage for said performances.
Acts invited to play are recorded and albums are created up the road at United Record Pressing, one of the largest vinyl producers in the world.
On special occasions, such as when Conan O’Brien came to town for Bonnaroo, Third Man Records will host open nights so that the community can enjoy a free show.

In early 2009, Matt and Carrie Eddmenson – both veterans of the denim-producing business having worked with labels such as Levi’s, Lee, Girbaud, Ralph Lauren, Rogan, J Brand and Diesel – converted an old gas station into a bespoke jeans shop. The concept was to feature two different styles for men and women that are intentionally rigid so that the wearer could break them in, with custom tailoring to take place in store.

Earlier this year, while Gwyneth Paltrow was in town filming a movie, she worked with the Eddmensons and gave them a big shout out on Goop. The resulting popularity surge has resulted in a collaboration with J.Crew (to debut this August) and Paltrow herself helping to create the prototype for their latest offering – a new skinny jean made of tk cotton.

Nashville

Nashville

Amid the great vintage finds and excellent antiquing to be had in Nashville, the latest style boon to take place in “Music City” was the arrival of a premier couture exhibit last month at the Frist Center of the Visual Arts.

“The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947 – 1957″ originally debuted at London’s prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum in September 2007, and features over 200 exquisite hand-crafted gowns, lingerie, and accessories from the era.

The exhibition’s starting point is Christian Dior’s “New Look,” which established a modern silhouette for post-war women in Paris and quickly became the marker for excellent dressmaking. Other fashion houses such as Balenciaga and Balmain then followed suit. Oddly enough, Dior himself was never one to roll up his sleeves, according to V&A curator Claire Wilcox.

“Dior never touched fabric, never touched models,” says Wilcox. “He used to prod them with a stick. He was a draftsman.”

Catch the exhibit in Nashville through September 12th – you won’t want to miss it. This is its only stop in the U.S.

The designer himself, who is in the studio every day teaching the interns the tricks of the trade.

The crown jewel of this style expedition was the opening of “The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957″ exhibit, which was brought over from London’s prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum, where it debuted in 2007. The 200 + piece collection is currently on display at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and is a stunning assemblage of haute couture dresses, lingerie, and accessories dating back to Christian Dior’s iconic “New Look.” As for choosing Nashville as its only stop in the U.S.? “It felt right,” said curator Claire Wilcox. “It felt now.”

The “now” feeling permeates through the culture of the city, which is filled with down home hipsters, cool boutiques, organically-conscious eateries, and all-star couples that mingle inconspicuously among the masses. And even though the effects May’s inconceivable flooding are still being felt, there is a real sense of community that prevails above all else.

Here are some of the highlights from StyleList’s pitstop to one groovy town:

A Style Tour of Nashville, Tenn.
Check out all of the stylish happenings taking place in Nashville, Tenn.
Sarah Cristobal for AOL Nashville

Fashionistas, set the dial to full blast. UAL has to be the best kept secret this side of the Mason-Dixon. An outlet for luxury retailers such as Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, UAL carries a mind-blogging array of designer gems at deeply discounted prices. Think Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Milly, and more. A fellow editor discovered a rack of Martin Margiela pants for under $100. It’s reason enough to make the trip!