The Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party Ushers in a New Era

When all the right elements come together, they create a great event — and that was certainly the case at the Symphony Fashion Show Patrons Party. The can’t-miss celebration — benefiting the Nashville Symphony and traditionally held the evening before the Symphony Fashion Show — unfolded as a parade of elegant style and divine company at the showstopping home of Mayra and Shawn Lehman-Grimes. 

This year’s party was anything but ordinary. Attendance reached a record high, with nearly 200 revelers arriving for the al fresco gathering — designed by event planner Bruce Pittman — to honor Symphony Fashion Show co-chairs Katie Crumbo and Laurie Seabury. The evening also celebrated executive chair Sandra Lipman, who marked her 20th year in the role. The fashion show — presented by Gus Mayer and featuring Pamella Roland, the first designer to headline the event 20 years ago — will culminate with Sandra stepping down and Ashley Rosen assuming her role.

Once guests had gathered by the pool and enjoyed at least one glass of sparkling wine, Alan Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO, addressed the crowd. He specifically praised the long-standing partnership between the fashion show and local luxury boutique Gus Mayer. He also thanked Sandra for her dedication to both the symphony and the fashion show. “Your creativity and boundless energy have meant the world to the symphony,” he said. 

Sandra responded with gratitude. “Everyone has been part of the journey,” she said. “It has been an honor and pleasure to work with Katie and Laurie and all of the chairs that came before.” 

After presenting Sandra with a beautifully inscribed silver bowl, Katie thanked the sponsors who’d made the event possible and paid tribute to past fashion show co-chairs. “We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and built the show from the ground up,” she said. Each guest left with a generous gift from Pamella — a copy of her book, Pamella Roland: Dressing for the Spotlight, and a bottle of her perfume.