Cover Several looks from 'Pirate Bae', the latest collection by Kelvin Morales (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales; stylised with Canva)
Several looks from 'Pirate Bae', the latest collection by Kelvin Morales (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales; stylised with Canva)
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Filipino fashion designer Kelvin Morales talks about his latest collection ‘Pirate Bay’, the reflection of the self as a vessel
“Have you ever questioned your existence?” That is the question posed by designer Kelvin Morales as he introduces his latest collection, ‘Pirate Bae.’ The title, he explains, is playfully derived from the online media index PirateBay—“where you could find anything from movies to music.”
Inspired by life's winding journeys, ‘Pirate Bae’ explores the self as a vessel navigating meaning and memory. “I think I’m better at narrating through visuals than through words,” Morales shares. “I always try to reinterpret personal memories in a way that feels more relatable and accessible to others, without losing the essence of my own story.” For the designer, it’s about finding a common ground between the objective and the subjective, the personal and the universal.
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Above A look from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection featuring a shirt detailed with UV reactive embroidery (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
Above A look featuring a feathered cap and brown vest from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
A look from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection featuring a shirt detailed with UV reactive embroidery (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
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Silhouettes are simpler this time around, leaning into soft tailoring imbued with flair, like laminated feathers, subtle textures and coastal-inspired details like shells and pearls. The palette drifts towards warmer tones of yellow and brown and steers clear of darker, more intimidating hues.
Morales’s usual penchant for abstract forms and Filipino paraphernalia give way to what he calls a “mix of random treasures you’d find during an ocean exploration.” It is apparent in one standout piece: a yellow top adorned with shell details on the back, which recalls the aftermath of a ship succumbing to a sea storm, meditating on decay and beauty. Another standout piece is a tartan cape that references the shape of a clam shell, featuring smocking and raw leather.
See also: 7 brands and designers that offer modern Filipiniana clothing in the Philippines
Above A look from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection featuring a yellow top with shell details on (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
Above A look from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection featuring a tartan cape (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
A look from Kelvin Morales’s ‘Pirate Bae’ collection featuring a yellow top with shell details on (Photo: courtesy of Kelvin Morales)
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Morales is among a wave of young Filipino designers reshaping a narrative of Filipino dressing. While he may be best known for his modernised, tongue-in-cheek twists on the traditional barong—reverent and respectful, but also rebellious at the same time–his pieces stray far from the novel.
And though it’s tempting to compare and contrast the designer’s work with his contemporaries, like the maximalist RJ Santos of Randolf or the composed Gabbie Sarenas, it’s safe to say that Morales endeavours to become distinctive in his own right.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
