The Branching Out Fashion Show and Tea Party Grows In Its Second Year

Guests gathered at Dillard’s at The Mall at Green Hills for the second annual Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee Branching Out Fashion Show and Tea Party. The Branching Out campaign supports Root Nashville’s initiative to plant 500,000 trees across Middle Tennessee by 2050.

Co-chairs Nikki Peal and Stacey Rhodes orchestrated the event, greeting guests as they arrived. After revelers found their seats, emcees Danielle Breezy and Hugh Howser emphasized the organization’s mission and introduced campaign chairs Lucie Cammack and Deby Pitts. Deby spoke about the importance of planting trees throughout the region — a need brought into sharp focus by the devastation of Winter Storm Fern.

This year, organizers brought a decidedly Nashville element to the event: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Natalie Hemby performed for the crowd. She opened with one of her hits, “Redesigning Women,” a fitting anthem for a day dedicated to fashion.

Then, the fashion show began. As the music took over, models hit the runway outfitted by Dillard’s in some of the season’s best fall looks. To the delight of the local crowd, members of the community served as models and, buoyed by the applause, strutted up and down the runway, many offering high fives along the way.

Afterward, guests visited with friends, shared their favorite looks and enjoyed glasses of wine before sitting down to a tea party in the heart of the store. The afternoon offered plenty of fashion and fun, but the cause remained at its center. Through Branching Out, supporters helped Root Nashville continue working toward a greener Middle Tennessee, one tree at a time. With each tree planted, the initiative aims to strengthen the region’s tree canopy and ensure future generations enjoy a healthier, greener community.