In Nashville, Taylor Swift chose a dreamy velvet minidress for Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony

A Nashville induction evening

Swift began her music career in Nashville and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at the ceremony. For the occasion, she wore a burgundy velvet minidress by Raisa Vanessa, with orange floral detailing. She completed the look with a necklace, earrings and purple heels.

Grateful to Nashville

After her induction was announced in August, Swift shared her appreciation for Nashville and its songwriting community. She said she had viewed the city as the ideal place to learn from experienced writers and join a community of storytellers.

Swift said Nashville valued hard work, determination and imagination, including the effort writers put in when inspiration does not come easily. She called the honor from a city she loves a beautiful thing.

Her family’s move

Swift recalled that her parents relocated to Nashville when she was a tween so she could develop her songwriting. Once it became clear her interest was not a temporary phase, they moved their lives to Music City. She credited them for making that possible, saying, “You’re the reason I’m here tonight.”

Preparing songs with collaborators

Swift described writing ideas in her free time before sessions with co-writers. She kept some songs partially finished, while others began as a hook, a melody or a chorus.

In writing sessions, she would share several ideas and let her collaborator choose which one to complete together. She said the approach allowed co-writers to contribute to the work.