Her Story
About Cacky
Cacky Breland is a Nashville, Tennessee-based designer, creative artist, and business professional with more than 25 years of experience in art and design. Her passion for creativity began in childhood, when she developed a natural talent for drawing, painting, and visual expression. She studied interior design and art at the University of Alabama, building a strong artistic foundation that continues to influence her work today. Alongside her creative career, Breland has developed extensive experience in sales, operations, and business management, allowing her to combine artistic vision with strong business acumen. Through her creative work, Breland has completed commissioned paintings, architectural and house drawings for realtors, and custom artwork for wedding invitations in collaboration with calligraphers. She is also the founder of Elizabeth Landers Designs, a fashion and design business that brings her artwork into the world of apparel. Her collection features hand-painted fabrics incorporated into figure-flattering dresses designed to celebrate women of all sizes and shapes. Inspired by her signature floral artwork, the designs combine fine art with fashion and are being produced in partnership with a manufacturer in India. Breland is continuing to develop her collection with the goal of bringing her designs to a broader marketplace. Breland attributes her success to the creative mindset and visual ability she has cultivated since childhood, noting that pursuing her passion makes her feel as though she is not working at all. Her artistic accomplishments include numerous awards and recognitions throughout her life, including a spotlight at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and scholarship opportunities through art programs. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and remains committed to community service through volunteer work with Room in the Inn. Through Elizabeth Landers Designs, Breland continues to combine her lifelong love of art with fashion, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to creating distinctive designs that empower women to feel confident and beautiful.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cacky
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my creativity, strong visual perspective, and lifelong passion for design. From an early age, I have always enjoyed drawing and exploring different creative outlets, which naturally led me toward fashion design. Turning a passion I have carried since childhood into my career has allowed me to do what I genuinely love, making my work feel less like a job and more like a meaningful expression of my creativity.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from an exceptional mentor and former art teacher who believed in my artistic abilities and encouraged me to have confidence in my creativity. Her guidance taught me to trust my talents, embrace my unique perspective, and pursue my passion with confidence. Her encouragement has continued to influence me throughout my career and reminds me of the importance of believing in my own abilities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the fashion industry is to embrace your unique creative style and never be afraid to express your vision. Your individuality is one of your greatest strengths, so have confidence in your ideas, trust your creative instincts, and allow your authentic perspective to guide your work. By staying true to yourself and continuously developing your creativity, you can build a fulfilling career and create opportunities for long-term growth and success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is continuing to grow in my role while strengthening my professional presence and brand. I am currently revamping my website to better showcase my creative work, design perspective, and services. This process is giving me an opportunity to refine how I present my brand, connect with a broader audience, and create new opportunities for growth in the fashion industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are creativity, purpose, and using the God-given abilities I have been blessed with since childhood. My journey into fashion design has allowed me to turn my lifelong passion for art and my strong visual perspective into meaningful work. I currently hand-paint fabrics for dresses and am working toward expanding my designs into tops, with a focus on creating figure-flattering pieces that celebrate women of all sizes. I find this work incredibly fulfilling because it allows me to express my creativity while staying true to my artistic vision. My education at the University of Alabama, where I studied interior design and art, along with my experiences volunteering at Room in the Inn, helped shape my creative and professional journey. Over the years, I have been honored with numerous art awards, including recognition at the Frist Center and scholarship opportunities, and I hope to continue building on those accomplishments as I bring my artwork into the fashion marketplace.
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