It feels like a clandestine meeting. My phone pings:
Come to my Airbnb tonight! Use the basement door— I’ll have wine.
I’m delighted to comply. Especially as I’ve been hoping for the chance to sit down with the two founders of Nashville’s freshest voice on the fashion scene, Michelle Dixon and Sid Young of Stinson Young.
We sit in the 70’s-styled living room, and for a few minutes I silently listen as the two catch up on work, exchanging notes on the respective gigs they’re working on.
I suppose this is the part of the article where I do my journalistic due diligence and disclose that not only are Sid and Michelle designers and stylists, they are also my good friends. But because this is Substack, and not the New York Times, I get to interview friends who are doing really cool and amazing work. So let me catch you up to speed on the duo who make up Stinson Young.
“I quite literally pet a dog one day and tumbled into this world,” Sid reminds me. It wasn’t too many years ago she was a graduate student at a smoothie shop, who started chatting with a woman and her dog. She left the interaction with an invitation to help as a stylist for an upcoming shoot.
Since then, Young has made a name for herself as a highly-sought after stylist and creative director, splitting her time between coasts and, in her words, “chasing good light, and surfing whenever I can.”
As for Michelle, her journey to being the other half of Stinson Young has been the unfolding of a lifelong passion. She has always expressed herself through fashion and clothing. A wife, mother to four kids (and one gigantic pup called Finn!), she found herself being called upon regularly to help style artists and shoots around Nashville.
It’s through occasionally assisting Young on these shoots that the pair started to recognize their deeper artistic connection, ultimately leading them to found Stinson Young.
“I’ve worked with, and dressed people from all sorts of backgrounds,” says Young. “And it doesn’t matter who you are, people never feel more vulnerable than when they’re in a fitting.”
She and Dixon have built their careers on helping their clients feel confident in their own skin, while acting as sartorial guides. It’s this sweet spot of supreme “wearability” married with visionary aesthetic makes Stinson Young the exciting brand it is.
Stinson Young launched in spring of 2025 with the introduction of their iconic Convertible Trench Coat.
“The trench looks good on everyone. And that was the point. It’s our “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” garment,” Young laughs and pours more wine.
“We always knew we’d start by making a trench,” Dixon explains. After years of styling, the women realized they were always searching for a trench coat that was both visually arresting, while equally holding the gravitas of a wardrobe staple. When they couldn’t find it anywhere, there was nothing left to do but make their own.
Every centimeter of the Stinson Young Trench is considered. The weight and feel of the fabric, it’s ability to hold its shape without feeling overpowering to the wearer, the length of the sleeves, the length of the belt— it’s the small details that sets the Stinson Young Trench apart.
As they’re talking, I can’t help but be reminded of Elsa Schiaparelli, and her now-iconic bow-knot sweater. Schiaparelli designed the sweater out of her own sense of necessity, as she felt her personal figure did not suit the “athleisure” of the time, famously remarking “I was one of those women who always looked what you Americans call ‘funny’ in sports clothes.”
The bow-knot sweater took Paris by storm and launched Schiaparelli into a fashion house committed to designing stand-out pieces the everyday women would be vying to wear.
“I believe our contexts inform our style,” Young tells me earnestly.
So they found themselves asking, what if there was a garment that could transcend context? What would it look like to make the piece you’re always reaching for to pull an outfit together?
“I also think that’s why part of why we wanted our first piece to be a trench, because as a stand alone piece it’s nearly complete. Anyone, no matter if they’re a mom in the pick up line, or a school counselor, or traveling, or dressing up for a night out— anyone can wear this coat.”
There’s something so honest and compelling to me as I listen to these two women talk about the practical and aspirational paths that led them to starting their own clothing line.
When I ask what it’s been like starting Stinson Young in Nashville specifically, the two share knowing look.
“I think at first we didn’t want to advertise that we’re mostly Nashville-based,” Dixon confides. “Because I think there was this fear the fashion world wouldn’t take our perspective as designers as seriously. But over time we’ve realized how special this city is for all artists— not just music.”
“One of the special things about Nashville is the community support. It’s like nowhere else I’ve ever worked,” says Young. “People are excited to support you with their whole chest. There’s a sense that a win for one of us, is a win for us all.”
Part of why I wanted to interview them (aside from being a proud Stinson Young trench owner myself), is because of the singularity of starting a clothing line in a city famous for music. To me, the success of Stinson Young says something really interesting about the direction Nashville is moving in as a city. Yes, it’s still the musical Mecca it’s always been, but because of that, it’s drawn in artists of other disciplines which is, frankly, exciting.
It’s also inspiring to watch two people you’ve known and admired for years follow their dreams with such beautiful results.
Over the past decade in particular, there’s been a lot of noise about the explosive growth of Nashville as the new “it” city— some of it bad, but a lot of it good. As someone with a front row seat to it all, I’ve been waiting to see how the growth will impact the city’s identity. But so far, it’s proved to be a fertile and collaborative launching pad for the artists it’s drawn in.
As for Stinson Young, it’s just the beginning. The brand has its next drop in the works— personally, I’ve got a hanger in my closet with their name on it.
“We want our favorite things to wear no matter where we are. There are no rules to style, seasons aren’t helpful when you’re living in all climates at once, age/size/title doesn’t factor in how we get dressed. Please have fun.”
- Stinson Young
Best coffee/matcha in Nashville, and what’s your go-to order?
Sid: A place I love and always come to in Nashville is Flora & Fauna. They have a lot of options and I love their flora breakfast w/ an iced coffee or matcha. I like that they’re experimental with their season drinks like their tomato fest drink, etc.
Michelle: I want to have a great answer for this, there are amazing coffee shops in Nashville, but reality is I need coffee as soon as my eyes open and I love the Sightless drip coffee that I make at home. If Sid and I are working in a public space, catch us at Dose or Flora and Fauna.
Last runway look/street look that really inspired you?
Sid: Omg this image lives in my head rent free. It’s effortless high low dressings and makes me feel sexy and relaxed and present.
Michelle: Jonathan Andersons recent runway collection for Dior keeps coming to mind. This first collection kept his playful/quirky spirit with color and shape while staying true to classic Dior. And I’m never not inspired by street style at Copenhagen fashion week, 2025 was no exception.
Current high-street hero?
Sid: J. Crew is amazing me— their creative director Olympia is hitting it. Shout out to curly haired girls! I love their cashmere poncho and loveeee to see what collaborations they’re doing with other brands and designers like their collaboration with Anna October and most event one with Rouje.
Michelle: COS is a favorite for high street style. I’ve recently found that the barrel leg drawstring poplin pants go with everything. On paper they wouldn’t necessarily be my style, but I’ve found that for sideline mom or happy hour and heels they are my go to.
You’re in Nashville for one night— where are you having dinner and what are you ordering?
Sid: In reality I’m ordering best wok and eating buddhas feast in Michelle’s kitchen while I talk to her family, BUT if I’m going out, I’d go to Henrietta Red and order champagne, oysters, and all the shareables for the table. Or I’d go to Cafe Roze and get their smashburger ….ugh I love it so much.
Michelle: This is a very difficult decision— recently I want to eat Sho pizza every day, and their cocktails don’t miss. I also just had a meal I want on repeat at Maiz de la Vida. Locust is top-tier when I want to splurge.
Something that’s ALWAYS in your bag?
Sid: A bikini and my ID.
Michelle: Cheap reading and sunglasses, wired headphones, my passport, a tiny notepad and a fancy mechanical pencil, orbit gum, a constant rotation of lip glosses because I’m always losing them.
Something you think is underrated?
Sid: Eating from local farms and ordering produce from those farms. Support farmers always and the food tastes 1000% better.
Michelle: Ranch dressing.
Current obsession?
Sid: Loops face masks. I do one almost ever night and don’t travel anywhere without them. They’ve saved my skin.
Michelle: Dedcool laundry detergent.
What’s one item you think every closet would benefit from?
Sid: A good pair of knee-high boots.
Michelle: If I’m not gonna say a trench (my genuine answer), I would say YOUR favorite white tee— baby tee, men’s Hanes undershirt, perfectly worn vintage. It goes with jeans, skirts, under dresses or crop tops, so necessary.
Thanks for reading the first interview for a new segment of this newsletter I’m calling The Nashville Edit, where I attempt to write about the city I love. My plan is to continue to interview people I think are doing amazing things here, a tell the local stories that catch my eye. If you have a Nashville story you think deserves to be told, or something you think I should interview, please email me at Gabriella.llewellyn@gmail.com
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Love SY and the way that you captured this Gabby!❤️