Dolly Parton announced earlier this year the release of her book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, out on October 17. The book is a celebration of Parton’s love of fashion over the years, with some of her most iconic looks throughout her historic career included in Behind the Seams. Now, the Country Music Hall of Fame member announces her own fashion exhibit, Dolly Parton And The Makers: My Life in Rhinestones, opening this fall at Nashville’s Lipscomb University.
Parton announced the news in a video shared on social media.
“You know that I love to sing,” Parton said. “But you may have noticed that I also have a passion for fashion. This fall, I’m excited to release my new book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, to share the story of the folks who have brought my style to life throughout the years. But I’m even more tickled to announce that I’m going to open up my archive to bring some of my favorite gowns, suits and looks that are featured in the book to Lipscomb.”
Parton has been working with the university’s Fashion and Design department to create a “one-of-a-kind” fashion exhibition, inspired by Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.
“This will be the first in-person look folks get to see,” Parton explained. “25 outfits that are featured in my new book. The exhibit opens October 31, and runs through December 9th, in the John C. Hutchinson gallery, in Lipscomb’s Beaman Library. Keep an eye out for tickets. They go on sale real soon. It’s gonna be a grand ol’ time.”
You know I love to sing, but I also have a passion for fashion! This fall I’m bringing an archive of my favorite gowns and looks to @lipscomb for a one of a kind fashion exhibition inspired by my new book ‘Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones’. The exhibition runs from… pic.twitter.com/Y5LOVUVSn1
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 22, 2023
Lipscomb University President Candice McQueen is eager to see Dolly Parton And The Makers be part of the campus, and the impact it will have on the student body.
“We are thrilled to partner with Dolly Parton and those behind her iconic fashion to offer the community this exciting opportunity to have an up-close look at some of her favorite outfits and to learn more about these treasured looks,” McQueen said. “This unique fashion exhibition will also provide tremendous learning opportunities for our students as they discover more about the creative process and techniques and interact with the makers who have developed these fashions.”
Parton is going to have a busy fall. In addition to her Dolly Parton And The Makers: My Life in Rhinestones exhibit, the 77-year-old will also release her 30-track Rockstar album on November 17, joined by a lengthy list of artists, including Elton John, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Chris Stapleton, Michael McDonald, Richie Sambora, Melissa Etheridge, Debbie Harry and more.
“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album Rockstar!” Parton said when the record was announced. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”
Parton has already released “Let It Be,” featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood, along with World on Fire,” “Bygones,” featuring Rob Halford, with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5, a cover of “Magic Man (Carl Version), featuring Heart’s Ann Wilson, and “We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You.”
Tickets for Dolly Parton And The Makers: My Life in Rhinestones are just $25 for a 45-minute tour, and will be available beginning on September 1 via Lipscomb’s website. Pre-order Rockstar here.