Kaye Morales: ‘Rebel’ on the Runway at PH Fashion Week

“This is my revolution of self. A statement that is grounded from the things that I love pushed forth by the courage that I have mustered while living far too long in the darkness of expectations…” – Kaye Morales (Contributed photo)

With the Philippine Fashion Week now on its 20th season, designer Kaye Morales’ Spring/Summer 2016 collection ‘Rebel’ hit the historic runway on November 28 as her pieces showcased how she embraced men and women of all backgrounds.

Drawing inspiration from her own struggles as a woman, Morales shared, “I’m a lesbian and I want to (be) open (about) myself while making the fashion industry a welcoming place for all types of people. I want (others) to understand the different types of sexuality, especially mine, as I come out in this industry.”

Morales’ latest collection served as a throwback of sorts to her humble beginnings as a student at the School of Fashion & the Arts (SoFA), during which she made her first serious foray into the industry with ‘Schizo,’ a ready-to-wear line for the young fashionable set inclined to making punk style statements.

This season, she wanted to “let the audience feel that I haven’t lost (touch with) that side of myself (as a designer) and with what I’m really good at.”

‘Rebel’ took streetwear, as done by Morales, a notch higher with creations that were an eclectic mix of neoprene, leather, denim, and tulle made for different types of men and women, and inspired by key facets of her own personality – feminine, sporty, and rocker chic.

Divided into three segments, the Spring/Summer collection opened with colorful pieces which appeal to the lipstick-wearing, more traditional demographic. An extreme sports enthusiast, Morales dedicated the second part of her show to neon and printed sportswear for a broad spectrum of sexes that allowed the simultaneous enjoyment of easy style and adrenaline-induced high.  The designer closed the show with an homage to rock ‘n roll – leather, black, and skulls.

Morales played around with fabrics in neon pink, orange, yellow with her signature black and red to come up with pieces that look and feel androgynous. That characteristic combined with impeccable tailoring and touches of theater in design tie in ‘Rebel’ with the designer’s more couture collections of seasons past.

“It [has] vinyl and cassette accessories because music is part of (who I am). It’s where I get my inspiration from,” the SoFA and Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts London alumna said.

Alongside the reinvention of streetwear came the launch of the Kaye Morales bag line featuring backpacks and shoulder bags made from vinyl and cassette tape. An avid surfer, the designer also threw in backpacks for beach use. Neon-tinted transparent backpacks playfully rounded out the Spring/Summer accessories from the design house.

An exclusive first look at ‘Rebel’ was launched at the Philippine Fashion Week.

Follow the ‘Kaye Morales’ page on Facebook; @mzkayemorales for personal updates and @kayemoralesintl for designs and collection updates on Instagram. For the designer’s portfolio, visit kayemorales.com. You may also contact her through kayemoralesatelier@gmail.com or +63 915 193 4138.