In a light-filled design studio on the first floor of Richmond’s iconic Imperial Building, Michael Taylor puts the final touches on his long-awaited Atara Collection—a line seven years in the making.

Surrounded by bolts of luxurious fabric and intricate sketches, Michael’s mastery of couture and his spiritual journey come to life, as he prepares for his reintroduction into the fashion world.

Atara will soon be available to the public on his newly launched website. However, the line has already generated significant buzz, with pre-orders pouring in after two fashion shows where he previewed his work. One of the previews was during a birthday fundraiser for 79th District Delegate Rae Cousins.

“It was a wonderful event,” Taylor shared with a smile. “I’m so glad I was able to participate.”

Walking away from success

Michael Taylor’s name is synonymous with Richmond fashion royalty. With a career spanning over four decades, Michael has dressed some of the city's most prominent figures, including Dr. Jill Bussey, a dentist and owner of Beautiful Smiles, and Alma C. Hobbs, former dean of VSU’s School of Agriculture. Both wore custom Michael Taylor gowns to two of President Obama’s 10 inaugural balls in 2009.

In 2006, shortly before the Belles were whisked away to the royal balls, Michael opened his first couture boutique, Michael Taylor Couture, on North Laburnum Avenue in Richmond. A second location in Carytown followed shortly after. His boutiques became high-fashion destinations, securing his place in the history of Richmond style. 

“People called me all the time,” Taylor recalled. “I did everything in my shops.”

That wasn’t an exaggeration—his boutiques were full-service ateliers, offering ready-made pieces along with custom design and fabrication, pattern drafting, alterations and restyling.

But in 2011, after decades of success, Taylor’s life took an unexpected turn when he was called to ministry.

"I sold everything I owned because I knew it was time to serve in a different way," he said. For the next seven years, Taylor devoted himself to full-time care of his ailing mother and immersed himself in ministry—a chapter he describes as both a calling and a blessing.

Combining his passions

After his mother's passing, he felt a new direction for his life and business, one that merged his love of fashion with his spiritual calling. Thus, the Atara Collection was born, in honor of both his late mother and his relationship with God. 

Atara, meaning "crown of glory" in Hebrew, aims to offer regal silhouettes designed to complement women of all shapes, sizes, and heights.

“God has created each individual uniquely,” Taylor explained. “Atara is for everyone, and it’s made to make women feel like the queens they are.”

The collection features seven silhouettes—a symbolic number of completion—crafted from luxurious fabrics like pashmina, wool, and cashmere. The pieces are versatile, easily transitioning from casual to formal wear.

"You can wear a skirt as a sundress or a duster as an evening gown," Taylor noted. "It’s clothing that fits any occasion while making you feel divine."

But Atara is about more than just fashion—it’s ministry. Inside of MT Bespoke Services, his design studio and atelier at 422 E. Franklin St. downtown, Taylor combines his passion for design with his faith, creating a transformative experience for his clients.

"My fittings aren’t just about clothes. We laugh, we cry, we pray, and we heal," he said. This fusion of spirituality and fashion is at the heart of the Atara Collection and his bespoke services.

As he relaunches his fashion house with renewed purpose, Taylor credits his blind faith for guiding him through the many transitions in his life—from owning his fashion business on New York City’s famed Seventh Avenue to his Richmond atelier.

Looking ahead, he said he is excited to continue dressing women for milestone moments, including the upcoming presidential inauguration.

“I’ve dressed women for President Obama’s inauguration, and I believe I’ll have the opportunity to dress Kamala Harris,” he said. "I’m ready to collaborate with powerful women to help them look and feel their best."