Meet Nikki Lane, Queen of Cowboy Chic

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 father’s house, we rode around in a T-Top sports car listening to ’90s 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 — 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 “in-crowd,” you were considered a freak. Because of my family’s 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 “old” 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 — 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 I’ve 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 we’re starting to experiment with ready-to-wear brands. We find items that complement The Countrypolitan’s refined and deco-inspired look but are easy to sell in a fast-paced environment like a hotel lobby. You’ll 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’s the best piece of advice you’ve 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 “just enough.” Pushing for a little bit better has taken me to so many places and taught me so many life lessons.