Luxury Fashion

A look back at 30 years of styles, trends and dressing Nashville

As we celebrate 30 years of Nfocus, we have asked our friends in the community — many of whom have been with us since the beginning — to tell their story in their own words. Throughout the year, readers will hear from those who have graced our pages and supported our stories.

This month, we reached out to a dear friend of Nfocus, Janice Elliott Morgan, to discuss white-tie events, the cyclical nature of fashion trends and the Symphony Fashion Show.

When I moved to Nashville at the start of my career, I knew fashion was my passion and was fortunate to be a part of the training program at Nashville’s beloved Cain-Sloan department store. A wonderful career opportunity took me briefly out of state until I was offered the Designer Buyer position at Gus Mayer for their Nashville and Birmingham stores, and I moved back just prior to Herbert Fox’s launch of Nfocus. At Gus Mayer, we have had great success over the years as we partnered with this magazine to promote the latest fashions, our trunk shows and other events.

After reflecting on past ads and articles, it is clear: Fashion has come full circle. The daytime trends in the mid-‘90s that dominated the pages of fashion magazines and boutiques included suits, bomber jackets and cargo pants, and all are current trends today. In evening wear, the returning ‘90s trends are big sleeves, shoulder details and slip dresses. Back then, I was buying labels like Louis Féraud, Pamela Dennis and St. John, and I loved expanding Gus Mayer's evening wear section with top-selling designers like Heidi Weisel.

One of the highlights of my position is interacting with wonderful clients. I have dressed many for their child’s wedding, black-tie events and other special occasions. Dressing customers for Nashville’s two remaining white-tie events, Swan Ball and Symphony Ball, is exciting and, at times, challenging. Because of our long-standing relationships with designers, we have overcome any minor obstacles, resulting in beautifully dressed, happy clientele. I travel to New York City several times a year, and it gives me great satisfaction to spot something that I know a specific customer would love.

Gus Mayer has supported the community through the Nashville Symphony for many years by presenting the Symphony Fashion Show. We secure the featured designer and work with co-chairs and the Symphony staff to promote and produce the annually successful event. The show is a major fundraiser, providing funds for the Symphony’s educational initiatives.

It's always interesting to see fashion come back around and evolve, just as Nfocus has. Happy 30th anniversary!

BY JANICE ELLIOTT MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS AND DANIEL MEIGS

Lauren Rucker and John Pustulka met while working at a Nashville pharmacy. As their friendship progressed, their love deepened, and John surprised Lauren by proposing at Liberty Common — the restaurant where they had their rst date.

They married in May by the Reflecting Pool at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Dr. Paul Lim officiated while harpist Meg Boulden and a string ensemble arranged by Craig Duncan played an array of orchestrations including Vivaldi’s “Spring” and “Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars

“Anyone planning an outdoor wedding knows the stress of wondering what the weather will be — and this was no exception,” said the bride’s mother. As the date approached and weather reports predicted storms, plans began for moving the ceremony into Cheekwood’s Historic Mansion. At the last minute,