Dolly Parton Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Fashion Exhibit in Nashville: ‘That’s a Lot of Living’

Dolly Parton and her iconic wardrobe are getting some much-deserved love in Nashville.

On Friday, the country legend, 77, attended the official ribbon cutting for “Dolly Parton and the Makers: My Life in Rhinestones,” a new exhibit opening at Lipscomb University’s Beaman Library that will feature several of Parton’s memorable looks from her decades-long career.

The “Jolene” singer attended the event in a dress perfect for the spooky season — her black and silver dress featured tiny spikes, mesh accents and other embellishments — ahead of the exhibit’s official Oct. 31 opening date. Parton was joined by Rebecca Seaver, her niece and archivist, who raved about the exhibit ahead of its premiere.

“I’m surprised at how much I did, I really am,” Parton joked, according to WTVF. “Someone says how does it feel to see all that? I think, ‘Phew, that’s a lot of life’.”

Dolly Parton and Lipscomb University President Candice McQueen cut the ribbon on ‘Dolly Parton & the Makers: My Life in Rhinestones.’

AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Dolly Parton will launch the ‘Rockstar’ era with a special first-hearing event in theaters

The exhibition, which runs until December 9, will not only highlight Parton. It will also shed light on the other creative minds behind the 25 looks on display, as well as “the real magic that happens behind the seams,” according to Parton’s website. The fashion retrospective follows her new book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestoneswhich was published on October 17.

“We are thrilled to partner with Dolly Parton and those behind her iconic fashions to offer the community this exciting opportunity to get an up-close look at some of her favorite outfits and learn more about these treasured looks,” Lipscomb University President Candice McQueen said in a post on Parton’s place.

“This unique fashion exhibition will also provide incredible learning opportunities for our students as they discover more about the creative process and techniques and interact with the creators who developed this fashion,” added McQueen.

During Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Parton also talked about her favorite look from the show — the dress she wore to the 1989 CMA Awards while performing “He’s Alive.”

“I love that song,” she told WTVF. “I remember that moment when I sang that song. It meant so much to me.”

McQueen — who helped Parton officially cut the ribbon at the event — called the exhibit and ceremony a way to honor someone “who may be the most beloved person in the entertainment industry.”

“Her music was the soundtrack to our lives, and her unique fashion sense left an indelible mark on the world of style,” she told WTVF.

Dolly Parton reveals the only reason she would be seen in public without makeup: ‘Death!’ (Exclusive)

Earlier this month, Parton opened up to PEOPLE about her fashion inspirations over the years and how Frederick’s of Hollywood catalogs have influenced her taste. As she explained, the catalogs “spoke to me”.

“I was kind of influenced in those early days, with the women I saw, like the loose women in our town, or just the people I saw in the magazines and the Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog,” she said.

Parton added that she was “never one of those people who cared as much about what other people thought of me as I did about what I thought of myself, because I felt that if I was comfortable in whatever I was wearing, then and people to be comfortable around me.”

“Although I’m sure people may have been uncomfortable thinking that they would be embarrassed to look like me, but if I seemed comfortable with it, they were willing to accept it,” she said. “So that’s kind of how I’ve grown in the business, I’ve gone a little overboard with most things.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Parton’s new book is available now, and tickets to her fashion show are available before Tuesday’s opening for $25.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education