Meet Nikki Lane, Queen of Cowboy Chic
Known for her country tunes and "cowboy chic" sense of style, songstress Nikki Lane has made her mark in Nashville. Find out more about her tour, her love of fashion, and her newest retail shop at The Countrypolitan Hotel.
Nikki Lane is a Badass with a capital βB.β Often referred to as βThe First Lady of Outlaw Country,β the South Carolina-born artist brings her unique style and Southern spin to everything she does β from her music to her shop, High Class Hillbilly, stocked with curated βcowboy chicβ finds. We caught up with Nikki to learn more about her roots, her current tour, and the opening of her new retail location at downtown Nashvilleβs newest hotel, The Countrypolitan.Β
How did your Southern roots shape your career path?
I grew up the child of single parents in rural towns. When I was with my mother, we listened to Motown, and she curled my bangs. At my fatherβs house, we rode around in a T-Top sports car listening to β90s country music, and I had a messy head of hair. The mix of the two, combined with church and my grandparents, helped teach me all aspects of my career β from having a thrifty approach and aesthetic to developing a crazy drive and work ethic.
What prompted your love for fashion, and where do you find your style inspiration?
Well, thank you! In high school, if you dressed differently than the βin-crowd,β you were considered a freak. Because of my familyβs limited income, thrifting and shopping second-hand, especially at flea markets with my granddad, made me very interested early on in vintage pieces. When I was younger, an βoldβ lamp I got for $20 turned out to be a mid-century modern globe lamp worth $500. Those kinds of wins had me hooked early on. These days, I take pride in my ability to meld modern fashion and vintage findings into an aesthetic that can go in many directions. I love looking cool in all settings β whether at fancy dinners or fishing on the river.
What led you to open your first High Class Hillbilly location in East Nashville, and where do you curate your finds?
When I moved to Nashville, I was actively pursuing music and, therefore, very broke. After 10 years in fashion and retail, it only made sense to buy and sell things to get by while I sorted out a music career. Now I juggle both, along with a few other projects. While touring, I collect the stock from brands I love, vintage dealers Iβve come to know, and antique malls all over the world.
You recently opened your second retail location in The Countrypolitan. How does it differ from your East Nashville spot? What can we expect when we come in?
This is where weβre starting to experiment with ready-to-wear brands. We find items that complement The Countrypolitanβs refined and deco-inspired look but are easy to sell in a fast-paced environment like a hotel lobby. Youβll find one-of-a-kind pieces, souvenirs to take home from Nashville makers, and cowboy hats in case you need something special for your night out on Broadway.
What is the most challenging part of maintaining your shops while also maintaining a successful music career?
Juggling a lot of projects at once can be emotionally taxing. The girls who make up my team and I are almost always in βthe weeds,β so weβre trying to become more deliberate with our workload and find a better balance while also being able to still say βyesβ to exciting new opportunities. Luckily, this is easier to do on the road than it is at home because thatβs when I like to relax. You just have to take it all one day at a time.
Youβre embarking on a tour that extends overseas. What is the tourβs concept, and where are you most excited to travel?
Weβre still riding the high on the momentum of the new album I released, Denim & Diamonds. This record takes my catalog deeper into the rock genre, so itβs a very fun show to play. It encompasses my country roots and the ways my music has shifted over the last 12 years. Iβm excited to play Stagecoach because of our marketplace and Spain because itβs Spain! The crowds there are amazing.
If you could recommend one staple or statement item we should add to our wardrobes, what would it be?
Itβs just important for me to keep pushing a focus on fit and quality over trend. A good pair of cowboy boots or a nice leather jacket should be able to last well into your old age if youβre following your true style rather than fast fashion or whatβs in season.
Whatβs the best piece of advice youβve ever received?
Complacency kills. It was written on a chalkboard in the eighth grade, and it may have changed my life more than anything else. I hope never to settle for βjust enough.β Pushing for a little bit better has taken me to so many places and taught me so many life lessons.
Not including faith, family, or friends, what three things canβt you live without?
Pets, plants, and a fridge full of beverages.
And, our final βlightning roundβ of questions!
Favorite local restaurant: Joyland has been changing my life β I love fine dining, but I am hooked on the Sean Brock burger vibe.
Favorite dish to order there: Crustburger and a mocha shake (half coffee/half chocolate). Everyone needs to order one, so they get used to my strange but delicious request.
Favorite local spot for buying gifts: East Nashville Antique Mall
Last book you read: Honestly, Iβve been looking at books on imagery and concept, like Tony Duquetteβs More is More and 100 Years of Western Wear
Favorite item in your closet: My β60s leather jacket with all the patches from moments over the years. They are as personal as my tattoos.
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Meet more dynamic and inspiring Southern women at our FACES archives!Β
Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.