Fashion Designers

Luis Machiçao, Lead Fashion Designer

Passport For Fashion is honored to be collaborating with Luis Machiçao on Passport For Fashion. Luis Machiçao grew up with one thing on his mind… FASHION; however, it wasn’t until the age of 20 that he actively began to pursue his dream.

Mr. Machiçao began his career in Peru by enrolling in The School of Dramatic Arts where he received his education, later he decided to move to another school and began studying Fashion Design in a local Fashion Institute where he graduated with honors.

Afterwards he enrolled in the University to study Sociology, he is on the belief that fashion is a social manifestation of the human being. After 4 years at the university he flew to Paris where he knew he could complete his education with experience. It was while in Paris that everything came together on how to dress people from head to toe in good taste.

Later, when Mr. Machiçao went back to Peru, he began working in TV miniseries, Soap Operas and Theater. He was then hired for the First Lady to serve his country with his impeccable taste, also dressing celebrities and socialites.

While working he began showing his own collections in fashion shows. It was here that he found his passion – runways! Mr. Machiçao began to show his own collections internationally which resulted in him moving to the United States of America. He has presented his collections in cities such as Houston, Austin, San Francisco, Miami, Charlotte and now, showing his latest Spring-Summer 2011 collection at New York’s fashion week.

To see Luis’ exciting work visit LuisMachiçao.com.

Beth Pilger

No one who reads this blog will argue that fashion isn’t art — the colors, the cuts, the designs, the way a fabric accentuates a person’s figure? All art. But local fashion designer Beth Pilger recognizes that dressing up is an art as well.

Pilger has been interested in design since high school. She attended Parsons The New School for Design for three years before deciding to pursue business. “While I was there, I did everything from assisting and costuming and learned very quickly that fashion is predominantly business driven,” she says.

After some years in the private industry, Pilger moved to Charlotte and in 2009, started her own clothing line, which she unveiled at Charlotte NC Fashion Week. Her clothing line targets women in their twenties to sixties.

“One thing that I am trying to focus on is actually getting back to more sustainable products where you can buy a dress or a shirt or a pair of pants and it actually becomes a staple in your wardrobe that you could wear through several seasons,” she says. “For the spring and summer collection I focused a lot on having contemporary pieces that were made with classic fabrics and tailoring.”

Pilger calls her staple items simplistic, but when you look at some of her custom pieces, they are anything but. From glancing through her portfolio online, some of the dresses stand out as dramatic, eye-catching, bold, and maybe even a little forbidden.

Sure, maybe little girls play “dress up” more often than we ladies do, but with an outfit like the above pictured, you can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to actually take the time to get a little dolled up.

For more information or to contact Beth Pilger, visit her site at www.bethpilger.com.

Tara Davis

FLOW by Tara Davis is owned and operated by Tara Michelle Davis of Charlotte, North Carolina. Tara has been designing since she was a child. She first began sewing beautiful dresses for her Barbie Dolls and is now creating dresses for mature and sophisticated women everywhere.

By the time she turned 20, Davis was attending the Art Institute of Atlanta seriously pursue a career in Fashion Design, but cut her education short to start a family. Although she stopped her education, nothing could stop her childhood passion. As time passed, her ambition and creative style grew causing her to start designing again; 2002 began a new era in her life.

She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Pfeiffer University and learned how to operate her own business. Now armed with knowledge, loaded with creativity and motivated by her best friend and family, a rusty but quite innovative designer produced six original pieces for a local fashion show where she received rave reviews.

The positive reaction and family support only sparked a new approach to an old trade. FLOW by Tara Davis was formed in 2003, and has since been see in numerous fashion shows, special events, and publications throughout the Carolinas. Davis’ loyal customer  base is always anticipating her new designs each season and is steadily growing. She continues to push her design skills to the next level as she has recently developed a ready-to-wear collection and is in the process of completing her MFA in Fashion Design.

Clients now have the choice of purchasing a one-of-a-kind custom dress or select one of  Davis’ unique designs from one of the four FLOW divisions: FLOW Signature, Flowistic,  FLOW Chic, and FLOW Design. All four divisions have a unique flair to them and are a  perfect fit for any woman who exudes confidence and class. The FLOW by Tara Davis  collection continues to stay on top of current fashion trends, fabrics, and silhouettes,  providing dresses that continue to flow, move and bounce. These dresses are made to leave  a lasting impression at any special event or night on the town.

Davis stays very active in the community, visiting schools and educating youth about the  fashion industry as well as motivating them to continue to strive for their passions in life.  Designer, Educator, Mother and Friend, Davis reflects a person who is willing to put her  heart where it matters, and that is in the things she loves. For more information, media, or booking inquiries please contact Stacee Cross at

smcpublicity@gmail.com Flow by Tara Davis is the designer for you.

Hanna Lei Taylor

“Fashion design for me was a planted seed a long time ago. My mother made all my clothes when I was a little girl so I guess it runs in my veins, though I didn’t know it until my early twenties. “

Hanna Lei Taylor was born in San Diego, California and raised all over the country. Her father was in the Navy so her family moved every three years. Some of Hanna’s favorite memories are of living in Key West, Florida and the beautiful state of Virginia, where she met her husband who is also in the military.

Hanna has always loved art in every medium. She took college courses of different art studies and applications; even interior design. It was at Radford University where she found her passion for fashion design. “I had finally found an outlet to focus my creative energy. While in college, I worked with Araks in Manhattan. This is when the reality of my dedication to fashion design sank in….I was hooked.”

After college Hanna continued to move around. She collaborated with a bridal shop owner in Myrtle Beach where her designs were ordered for weddings and special occasion events. Last year, Hanna applied and was selected as an Emerging Designer for Charleston Fashion Week. “It was such a wonderful experience to work with a great team and alongside so many talented designers. “

Hanna has relocated closer to the Wilmington area where she has been working on sustainable fashion design. 3Thimbles is a label the designer will be launching in the next few weeks. It consists of two eco-friendly approaches. The materials will either be sourced from thrift stores and repurposed or developed from organic cotton blend fabrics. “I am so excited to present this to people who want to make a change in this world of never ending consumption. My daughter is a huge influence behind my drive for 3Thimbles. I look forward to a clean, promising future for her. “

You will find 3Thimbles to be clean lines, artful edges and dedicated to feminine form. Hanna adores fashion from the 70’s and vintage little girls’ dresses. She translates that and bit of everything that influences her into the designs.