It is hard to miss the purple house that sits beside Frothy Monkey on 12S in Nashville. For 10 years it has been owned and operated by Nashville-native, Meredith Fortune. Just like on the outside, the inside of the home is a fashionable, women’s boutique that is filled with amazing jackets, fun dresses, warm sweaters, jewelry for all ages, and an owner that is passionate about her store.Â
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to create and then open MODA?
A: I was working in the music industry at the time and I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever. I had worked in retail from the time I was 14 until I graduated college. When I was 16, my boss at the time took me to NYC on a buying trip and I was hooked. My best friend, Larry, (who was also my manager when I was 16) called me and left a very long message saying that he had an epiphany that I needed to open a store. I signed my lease six days later.Â
Q: How would you describe Moda?
A: An upscale boutique for the modern and edgy woman. It’s filled with a hand-picked and curated selection of unique quality pieces, ranging from wardrobe staples pieces to statement items.Â
Q: What is your favorite, most challenging and most rewarding aspect of owning your boutique?
A: My favorite thing is seeing customers feel good about themselves in their clothes. The most challenging was a recent event when I had to navigate a retail business without a web store during a pandemic. As for the most rewarding, it is definitely the same as my favorite. I love seeing customers loving themselves in their new clothes!
Q: Tell us a little about your jewelry collection and how you selected artists and their pieces?
A: I look for truly unique, artistic, well-made pieces in a broad price range. I find some of my jewelers at jewelry shows, some through friends, some through customer recommendations, and some through the rabbit hole of social media.
Q: Do you purchase items based on current fashion trends or “because you like it” so to speak?
A: I buy based on current trends and also just what I think will sell. I have established a loyal and supportive customer base over the years and through them, as well as trial and error and being a Nashville-native, I have grown to understand and have experienced how Nashville and it’s people have changed and so I change to stay up with the fashion trends.
Q: How would you describe your personal style?
A: I would describe my personal style as casually edgy. I love rock. I’ve traveled multiple times to see Guns n Roses and Foo Fighters (my all-time favorite) and I think that inspires my style. I sell and wear vintage, rock band shirts and jeans and accessorize with jewelry by artists I also feature in MODA.
MODA Boutique
2511 12th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37204
https://www.modanashville.com/
