Seller Story: Brentwood, TN

“After college, I wanted to work in fashion, but it seemed like such a long shot for someone from Nashville, and my parents wanted me to have something solid. My dad helped get me a job as an international banker instead, then I moved to credit analyst and ended up working with a lot of music producers and artists from a banking standpoint. And I got to go to a lot of concerts!

After almost five years, I was still thinking about fashion, so I started working at a boutique, which led to a job at The Nashville Network and the Forester Sisters’ cooking show. They were so delightful—I loved them to death. I worked alone, with no assistants, and it wasn’t called “styling” then—it was just called “wardrobe!” When I was starting out, I did everything. And I still don’t walk around with a troupe of people. I’m a touch-and-feel stylist—I want to be in there with my client.

When I got Carrie Underwood, I went looking for what was missing in country. There was no glamour! Everyone assumed it was jeans and a tank top, but I knew there had to be more. With Carrie, we were dressing up when everyone was dressing down, and it set a new bar for country. I didn’t put her in a lot of jeans at first, didn’t do a lot of black. I tried to keep it light and airy and ladylike, and she got on every single best-dressed list. It showed how important fashion is to re-chartering a course, and how someone could make new fans because of her look. Fashion can be a great way to identify yourself to a new audience."

Any crazy stories from the job?

One time I was with Blake Shelton for an awards show. This company had sent me a pair of jeans, and I washed them so they weren’t too stiff. But when Blake put them on, they were about three inches too short and super tight! While he went off to rehearse, I found a bus driver I knew who was bigger. I had him put on Blake’s jeans over his (it was a struggle!) and walk around and squat and stuff to release the cotton.

Who are your favorite designers?

Oscar de la Renta always. Randi Rahm of New York. And I think we were the first to wear Jenny Packham here. She now does a lot with the Duchess of Cambridge. For guys, John Varvatos hands down is my favorite. I think he bridges the gap between country and rock & roll. I also love Ted Baker—that classic, European slim fit.

There are lots of hats, pocket squares, tie pins in the sale. How important are accessories?

Accessories can change everything about an outfit, especially for men. How does he do his pocket square, how does he button his jacket, what’s on his lapel? Also fit is key. You can take a cheap tuxedo, alter it beautifully, and it’s gonna look like a million bucks. You can also take a very expensive Armani suit and not have it fit well, and it’s gonna look cheap.

What are your favorite pieces in the sale?

The stuff from my mom, who recently passed away. I want to be respectful to all of that. The china and oak table are part of my history. The table was one of Mom’s favorite pieces—she had it in her breakfast nook, in a bay window. I was laughing with my brother the other day, reminiscing how he broke every chair in our house. We’re a rodeo family, and the boys in my family rode chairs like they were horses. I also love the pink depression glass. When my mom would throw parties or baby or bridal showers, she’d break out pieces like that. She loved a good country luncheon.