A Night of Fashion and Connection: Nicole Miller’s SXSW Celebration with Dear Media

In partnership with Nicole Miller

For over four decades, Nicole Miller has been synonymous with designs that empower women through fashion that makes them feel confident and truly themselves. Founded in 1982, what began as a dress company has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle brand spanning more than 45 categories across women’s, men’s, kids, home, and beyond—all while maintaining Miller’s original vision of creating clothes that understand how women want to look and feel.

As a female designer who carved out her place in an industry previously dominated by men, Miller’s journey embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day itself. This made the partnership between Nicole Miller and Dear Media for an intimate dinner celebration at Austin’s Proper Hotel during SXSW weekend all the more meaningful—bringing together dynamic women across industries to connect, celebrate, and support one another while showcasing the timeless nature of Miller’s designs.

The event exemplified what has made Nicole Miller such an enduring force in fashion. Her career stands as a testament to what’s possible when vision meets persistence—and what happens when you’re surrounded by a great group of women.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with champagne and ushered to the hotel’s balcony overlooking Austin’s iconic 2nd Street. Nicole Miller herself welcomed guests on a high note, sharing her love for Austin, which was the perfect backdrop for the evening. “I’m very excited to be here in Austin because I realized the last time I was here was 1994, so I’ve been making the most of your restaurants,” she said.

The pre-dinner hour was full of good vibes and plenty of spirits. The cocktail menu for the night included the Uptown Girl (a neat martini), the Downtown Girl (an espresso martini), and the Hot Mic Margarita (a spicy marg). Conversations flowed easily and so did the drinks. Before raising a glass, Miller spoke to the heart of the evening: “I’m happy to see you all here to celebrate International Women’s Day. I want to take a moment to celebrate trailblazing women who are shaping our world with passion, strength, and vision.”

She added a note about female solidarity that resonated around the table: “I think it’s really important for women to support each other because there are some nasty girls out there. So let’s not be nasty girls and let’s support one another. I’m sure you all had that experience, right?” The knowing laughter from everyone underscored the universal truth in her words.

The night brought new- and old friends together: Whitney Port (in a vintage beaded halter mini), Olympian Gabby Thomas, Dear Media President Paige Port (in a Spring 2021 patchwork leather jacket), House Guest host Kenzie Elizabeth, Tianna Robillard (in a Fall 2004 lace maxi), Sweet Like Oyin founder Oyin Edogi, and Caila Quinn (in a floral mini from Miller’s 2023 collection) mixed with other inspiring women like Conversations with Cam host Cameron Oaks Rogers, digital creator Dodos Uvieghara, and clean beauty and lifestyle blogger Catherine Lockhart.

The dinner table offered a visual journey through Nicole Miller’s philosophy of creating truly unique and diverse pieces that inspire women to express their own sense of beauty and style: Rayna Greenberg in a leopard gown from Spring 1998, Ashley Hesseltine in a camo gown from Fall 2000, and Preeti Singh making a statement in a 2023 black feather dress. The staying power of each piece—some created nearly 25 years apart—highlighted Miller’s gift for designing clothes that transcend trends to become truly timeless.

While Ngozi Musa floated through the evening in a Spring 2018 maxi, Niki Newberg turned heads in a conversation-starting 2019 tattoo gown, and Madison Conn selected a stunning Fall 1998 grey maxi. Completing the fashion roster, Amber Lee Diamond wore a fresh Spring 2025 white lace gown with a baby bump (!).

Over dinner, the partnership between Nicole Miller and Dear Media was clear: both brands share a commitment to amplifying women’s voices and supporting their journeys. As Miller noted in her toast: “I want to thank Dear Media for creating a platform that amplifies the stories of women everywhere, fostering unity and connection through their work. Unity is a good thing.”

Since Gordon Brothers made their majority investment in Nicole Miller in 2022, the brand has continued expanding its global presence while maintaining its founder’s original vision of empowering women through design that makes them feel confident in expressing who they truly are.

As the evening drew to a close before the last course was served, Paige Port delivered a final toast. “First and foremost, I wanted to thank Nicole Miller and the Nicole Miller team. You are such an icon,” she said with genuine admiration. “I think that when everyone heard about the partnership tonight, they were like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe that Nicole Miller is back,’ and everyone is dressed tonight in this amazing collection.”

Port shared how Dear Media typically celebrates International Women’s Day internally with “reiki experts and tarot card readers,” making it a day for “health and wellness and taking care of ourselves.” She expressed how meaningful it was “to be here tonight with this group of incredible women,” before wishing everyone a happy SXSW.

Whether discovered in department stores, specialty boutiques, or direct through nicolemiller.com, Nicole Miller’s designs continue to resonate with women seeking style that simultaneously empowers and stands the test of time—a philosophy beautifully embodied throughout this special evening of connection and celebration in Austin.