When Sézane arrived in 12 South this May, fashion fanatics throughout Music City rejoiced. The newly-launched shopping experience is part of Sézane’s nationwide pop-up initiative, which brings the beloved French label to major cities, such as Austin, Boston and San Jose. In opening a Nashville location, Sézane’s leadership wanted to give 12 South a taste of Parisian elegance — all while honoring and incorporating Nashville’s thriving fashion scene.
Nfocus asked Sézane founder, Morgane Sézalory, about this new pop-up experience and how it intertwines Nashvillian and Parisian styles.
Why did you want to open a pop-up location in Nashville, and how does this make sense for your brand?
It was a mix of the city’s creative energy, southern charm and, of course, our wonderful local customers — who’ve been asking us to visit — that drew us here. We’d been searching for a space in Nashville for a while, and we were so happy when everything finally came together. Of course, Sézane is a French brand, but whenever I imagine our collections — whether it’s defining our essential pieces or designing our seasonal prints — I always want them to speak to people all around the world. Our goal is to create timeless, beautifully cut pieces that are easy to style and made with the highest quality. Pieces that customers can feel excited about having in their wardrobes.
How would you describe Nashville’s fashion scene, and how does this align with your brand’s French visual identity?
Nashville’s fashion scene reminds me a bit of Paris. Both are creative, diverse and carry a strong sense of freedom. Our French aesthetic celebrates character and effortless style, blending everyday wear with a touch of pride and occasion. I see that same spirit in Nashville, where people embrace individuality and passion in how they dress, making it a perfect match for our brand’s ethos.
How does this pop-up combine Paris and Nashville’s distinct styles?
Naturally, fashion in Nashville is different from what I’m surrounded by in Paris, but that’s exactly what excites me about opening a new store. I love discovering how creativity takes different forms in each place, and Nashville’s rich cultural energy really draws me in. When it comes to style, I’d say Southern fashion tends to be bolder and more playful, while Parisians usually lean towards classic, timeless pieces that they can re-wear season after season. There’s a joyful confidence in Southern style, and honestly, we could all learn a thing or two from that.
What steps did you take to make this store authentic to the 12 South neighborhood while bringing in Parisian elements?
Every time we open a new location, we think about how to capture the spirit of the space and its community through the materials we choose, the colors we use and even the pieces we bring in. At the same time, we want anyone walking through the door to feel instantly transported into our Parisian world. From the artwork on the walls to the vintage furniture, mostly thrifted in Europe and paired with our own homeware line, Les Composantes, it’s all about finding harmony and creating something that feels personal, thoughtful and inspiring.
What exclusive styles can guests find in-store?
We’ve launched a few exclusive pieces to celebrate the opening. Right now, customers can find our new collaboration with Spanish brand Andión — it’s only available in a handful of stores around the world, so we’re excited to have it here. We’re definitely exploring more exclusives for Nashville. This store is something special, and we want our local community to really feel that. And of course, we created a limited-edition tote bag just for Nashville — something you won’t find anywhere else.
What’s been the most rewarding part of opening this location?
Honestly, it’s been seeing the excitement from our community — both longtime customers and people discovering Sézane for the first time. Watching them explore the new collection, try on exclusive pieces and connect with the space has been incredibly rewarding.
How do you hope to see Nashville’s fashion scene evolve over time?
We can’t wait to see even more people wearing Sézane in Nashville. I'm excited to discover which pieces they’ll be drawn to — it might be similar to our European audience, or totally different, and that’s part of the magic.
Tell us about your upcoming plans.
Sézane was born more than 12 years ago, but it still feels like just the beginning. We have so many ideas and projects in the works. We have an exciting summer ahead. We’re putting the final touches on our collection for La Rentrée, our Back-to-School-and-Work campaign. Across everything we do, our focus is always on creating meaningful experiences for our customers, growing and improving in every department and going beyond fashion, especially through our social impact initiatives with DEMAIN.
To learn more about Sézane’s 12 South pop-up, visit https://www.sezane.com/us-en/our-locations/the-nashville-appartement.
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