Shannon Fontaine
Lifelong philanthropist Sandra Lipman is revered as an active giver and patron of the arts in our community.
Notably, she started the Nashville Symphony Fashion Show, which has proudly raised more than $4 million for the Nashville Symphony over the past 19 years. Lipman and the Nashville Symphony have a relationship of over 40 years, including her involvement with Symphony Guild, Symphony Support Drive, Symphony Outing, opening gala for the SSC, Italian Street Fair, Nashville Symphony board, Symphony Ball and, of course, the Symphony Fashion Show. We chatted with Lipman to get the scoop on this year’s 20th anniversary and her work of heart.
INVOLVED: Over the many years, I have been involved in just about every organization in Nashville in some capacity, whether large or small. I like to bring energy and creative thinking to the problem-solving process and consider myself a motivator and change agent, mainly for issues involving the arts, education, women, and children.
PAY IT FORWARD: Giving back comes very naturally to me. I learned this from my parents at an early age. There is so much need in this community. If I can help by bringing people together to take action, and raise awareness and dollars, that is extremely meaningful.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN: The Symphony Fashion Show initially started in 2000 as a luncheon and fashion show presented by the Symphony Guild and Gus Mayer. In 2006 it became an evening show, including a seated dinner. By 2007 it moved to its new home, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and has been held there ever since. Top-line Nashville entertainment was added, and that really made it a complete experience, marrying design and music on our symphony stage. It has been my complete honor and pleasure to shepherd this event from its beginning as an evening show to its 20th anniversary.
THIS YEAR’S SHOW: In three words: FASHION. MUSIC. GLAMOUR! Katie Crumbo and Laurie Seabury are bringing their A-game as co-chairs. Interesting fact: Pamella Roland was our inaugural designer in 2006, and we are delighted to invite her back. We have truly come full circle!
SIGNATURE STYLE: It is amazing to me that we are able to attract world-class designers and entertainers year after year. This is a tribute to the hard work of many. As we all know, it truly takes a village! Gus Mayer has been our loyal and steadfast partner for 15 of our 20 years. Janice Elliott Morgan, designer buyer for Gus Mayer, has successfully and consistently procured amazing designers who end up falling in love with Nashville. We have made a name for ourselves as one of Nashville's most anticipated and fashionable events. One of our strengths is the number of people we are able to bring together annually in our gorgeous concert hall to experience an evening of pure beauty, music, and camaraderie.
WHY: Our symphony is extremely vital to the strength and overall fabric of our city. In addition to offering superb musical enjoyment, it is committed to offering community engagement and music education in our public schools. A portion of the Symphony Fashion Show revenue is allocated to Accelerando, an intensive education program designed to prepare gifted young students of diverse backgrounds in the pursuit of music at collegiate levels and beyond. My husband Larry and I are proud supporters of our world-class symphony orchestra.
CAN’T WAIT: I look forward to a fun, festive, and fashionable evening that holds many memories of 20 years of hard work by amazing, creative, and talented women who have stepped up to the plate to make this event a huge success for our Nashville Symphony. Please join us for an unforgettable evening!