News - Lifestyles

Thursday, Sep. 18, 2008

fashion week in Charlotte

Rock Hill couture designer Luis Machicao's collection recalls elegance of old

Rock Hill fashion designer Luis Machicao drew inspiration from the glamour of the 1940s for his winter 2009 couture collection. This weekend, his elegant pieces will be shown on the runway at the first Charlotte Fashion Week.

Machicao -- who grew up in Peru and launched a granite countertop business in Rock Hill seven years ago -- is one of 17 designers from across the North and Southeast whose 2009 collections will debut on the runway.

Fashion week -- a three-day event that begins today at Charlotte's Blake Hotel -- will showcase designers from Charlotte, New York, Atlanta and other cities. In addition to runway shows, it will feature workshops, vendors and entertainment.

Machicao's collection of 46 pieces will be shown Saturday. It includes stylish, timeless evening gowns and men's suits. He also is launching a new swimsuit collection for men.

"The time, the inspiration came from old pictures of Hollywood divas like Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow and Rita Hayworth," he said of his pieces.

He earns a living with his Metropolitan Marble and Granite, but he has described fashion as "my soul." His styles often represent classic sophistication, and though he designs attire for both men and women, he is motivated by the female figure.

He said a Charlotte fashion show is significant because it elevates the Queen City in the eyes of the fashion world to the level of places such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami and London.

"We are going to show that we are able to create 'high-end fashion' here, and the word 'couture' is not related to Paris anymore," Machicao said.

Machicao said he's also the first Latino designer to represent South Carolina. "I'm hoping to show all the elegance and good taste from the South," he said.

Machicao fell in love with fashion during a trip to Paris and returned home to Peru to launch his career. After attending fashion school in Peru, he designed one-of-a-kind clothing for the presidential family and created evening gowns for beauty pageants.

After living in Houston, he moved to Rock Hill seven years ago, attracted by the climate and the cost of living. He concentrated for several years on building his granite business, then began doing fashion design on the side.

Couture costs can vary widely depending on the style, fabric and design. Machicao said his prices start around $1,500 for a one-of-a-kind cocktail dress.

He said he's at work on a spring 2010 collection that he will show in March 2009 at Miami Fashion Week. "The inspiration is the culture from the Asian countries," he said. "Lots of red, orange and gold colors."