Holly Williams comes by country music honestly. Literally, it runs through her blood. She’s not only the granddaughter of Hank Williams and the daughter of Hank Williams Jr., but she also fits the country music mold as a singer, songwriter and … fashion guru? Yes, her new women’s clothing store H. Audrey (H standing for Holly and Audrey being her middle name, after her paternal grandmother) carries a wide-range of clothing, accessories and other fashionable items for today’s woman.

“I carry everything from $50 really comfy worn-out T-shirts to $1000 python pumps,” Williams said. “I try to do a mix of everything from European designers to your good jeans and T-shirt basics.” Striking photographs of famous musicians are for sale in the upstairs gallery. Frequent shoppers include Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Jessica Simpson, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill, as well as Nashville stay-at-home moms. “We have a good gamut of stylish women who come in,” she said. (I can just imagine her granddaddy singing in the background, “Hey good lookin’”…)

From the killer Italian boots with a funky side-zip to the all-natural cosmetic line, Holly Williams is not only making a name for herself in country music – her new album is due this summer — but also in country fashion. “In a weird way,” she says, “it’s almost like when you write a song and people respond to your songs.”

Williams’ idea for H. Audrey came about while touring. After her continuous exposure to various fashion designers, she decided it was time to bring her newly found flair home to Nashville. ”I feel like we do have something for everyone and we try to cover price points from low to high, from celebrities to housewives, everyone. We try to fit any age, any type of person, so everyone can find something.”

The CMA Awards show is definitely country’s dressiest night, as stars abandon their favorite jeans and hop into haute couture for a few hours of photo ops. Designer duds may not be the norm for most of these artists, but it doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop when it comes to style. Trends that are hot in New York, L.A. and other fashionable cities show up on the CMA red carpet every year.
 
The menswear trend? Check. Martina McBride performed in a glam tuxedo and Sheryl Crow held the stage in a leather vest and pants. Detailing? Check. Soft, flowing gowns experimented with shirring, tucking, draping, bustling and all kinds of extras. Curls? Oh yeah. For the most part, the stick-straight hairstyles popular with young stars in the past few years were replaced with the loose ringlets seen on Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Jewel and other attendees.
 
The word that best describes CMA fashion 2007 might be “shine.” The fashion world says the sequin is back, and it was showcased on such performers as Miranda Lambert in red and Taylor Swift in black sparkling minis, and Reba McEntire in a glamorous, orange-sequined number. (Of course, when it comes to country music, have sequins ever gone out of style?) Glittery beads also joined the party, as in Carrie’s nude-colored Badgley Mischka spaghetti-strap gown with jeweled vine details. Even Martina’s tuxedo shone onstage, highlighted by a sparkly lamé tie.
 
“It was a very glittery CMA,” agrees stylist and fashion columnist Libby Callaway. “The guys got in on it, too — lots of the men’s jackets had a subtle sheen that really showed up under the lights. My favorite outfit was Jennifer Nettles’ shiny blouse and slacks. She proved that just because you’re going sparkly doesn’t mean you have to wear a dress!”