The Nashville Fashion Alliance launched last Friday, after taking two years to establish themselves. Following a charter filing in January, the next step for the NFA is its Kickstarter campaign. Debuting April 16, the NFA plans to raise $100,000 for the Nashville fashion industry, improving the lives of designers, manufacturers and the local community.As at stands, around 150 local brands are participating in the new alliance venture. Designers include Billy Reid, Kayce Hughes, Alabama Chanin, Otis James, Valentine Valentine, and Manuel. Headed up by CEO, Van Tucker, the NFA's Board is also full of experts - both, on and off the fashion field. Top names include: Jamie Atlas from the School of Fashion O’More College; Libby Callaway of Billy Reid; Matt Eddmenson and Abi Hewett of Imogene + Willie; Andra Eggleston of Electra Eggleston; Karen Elson, a community activist and model; Craige Hoover of Ceri Hoover; designer Kayce Hughes; and Dean Wegner of Omega Apparel. In recent years, Nashville’s contribution to the US $1.2bn fashion industry has rapidly increased. But, it remains less flashy and underdeveloped compared to the design and manufacturing scenes in sister cities Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Dubbed the Music City, Nashville was rated the fourth-best city for fashion designers, according to a study by Global Language Monitor, but is the only US metro area in the top five without a fashion industry council. Nashville boasts several giant retail store and centers - Warby Parker, Macy’s, Gap, Walmart and Nike. In a study on the US states, Tennessee ranks fifth for apparel manufacturing, ninth in textile mills, 15th in leather manufacturing and 15th in clothing stores, according to the Bureau of Statistics. According to an NFA press release, the main initiatives of the NFA are: "economic development, resources, education and advocacy." More specifically, the alliance plans to create jobs for sewers via training programs so apparel brands, can opt to manufacture locally, as opposed to traveling to New York and Los Angeles.Working with Catholic Charities, Omega Apparel, and The Housing Fund, a Sewing Training Academy will provide disadvantaged people with employment opportunities and affordable housing options, while giving the industry a skilled workforce. The NFA will also advocate for shared resources. Since it’s difficult for a brand to build its own factory, if 50 companies all need production, they could put something together as a group and work out the factory collectively. The alliance is predominately being created to build awareness of Nashville brands and serve as a catalyst for resource and program development. The NFA also looks to develop talent and appropriate training programs to ensure workforce availability and attractiveness of available careers. It also seeks to create an environment for all industry brands to consider as a location for business. Furthermore, the NFA will serve as a catalyst to provide access to mentorship to companies from start-ups to global brands.Ultimately, the alliance is about fostering and building a creative hub in Nashville, for bigger and better manufacturing business, according to the NFA website.“We want to create an eco-system that will not only connect local and regional fashion brands with resources to help them grow and thrive, but to also nurture a creative business environment that will be attractive for all industry brands to consider as a location for business.”The NFA news coincides with the launch of Nashville Fashion Week, which opened its fifth edition on Tuesdays. Backstage at the Acme Feed and Seed on Lower Broad, co-founder and managing partner of Nashville Fashion Week, Marcia Masulla said the event is about pointing the spotlight on local designers."The mission for what we do is to give a platform and to allow our fashion community to grow," said Marcia Masulla."We're not trying to compete with New York. We're not trying to be New York."