“What if the human skin can be used as material for clothing without the judgmental social hiss on cannibalism? What would it look like in the modern day?”
Fueled by this curiosity and passion for materials, avant-garde fashion designer Kelvin Morales launches a thought-provoking experimental collection that explores the anatomy of human body by showcasing the beauty and essence of human skin.
“Clothes should be an extension of one’s self, and with this collection I took that literally,” noted Morales, who formally honed his skills under the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
“I interpreted skin as clothes and translated it into clothing that mimics that concept. This contextualizes the human body and the function of fashion in a different way, dismantling the stereotyping of beauty.”
Human Leather, Morales’ collection, was the result of his extensive research on fabrics, silhouettes, and colors.
The 14-piece collection features a seamless incorporation of tattoo-inspired embroideries, colorized human hair, manual hand embroidery, traditional beauty of local fabrics, and nifty bespoke details that embody the conceptual and tactile qualities of individuals.
“I wanted to highlight the diversity of human skin and equality of different races and colors,” he reiterated.
Morales is currently gearing up for the incoming PHX 2020-2021, an incubation project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and the Department of Trade and Industry for young and emerging Filipino designers to showcase their original creations and collections in Tokyo.
His works are displayed on www.kelvinmoralesph.com and his Instagram account (@kelvinmmorales).