Fond Objects

With the maker movement taking over the nation in a real, viable way, it's little surprise that Nashville--home of country music, Jack White, Harmony Korine and plenty of other artists creating original, thoughtful work--has its very own cottage industry of fashion designers, doing everything from 70s-inspired stage outfits to rugged leather handbags. I recently spent four days in Nashville visiting designer studios, shopping vintage and checking out Northern Grade, the traveling market that features American-made goods from around the country. What I found was a close-knit group of hyper-creative people treating design as a passion, not just a job. Click through to get a sense of the scene.