Kelvin Morales' First Womenswear Collection Is an Examination of One's "Aura"
In this exclusive, the designer explains how the collection was brought to life.
Published on Aug 13, 2026
There’s no one concrete way to articulate the concept of an “aura.” By definition, the term refers to a luminous energy field that a person seems to emit. It isn’t perceptible to the naked eye, yet interpreting one requires a nuanced reading of the energies people give off.
For an idea so abstract, how does one translate an aura into something tangible? For designer Kelvin Morales, materializing the idea meant looking beyond its most obvious visual associations.
In parapsychology, auras are often interpreted through color readings, with different hues linked to emotional, physical, and spiritual states. In Kelvin’s view, however, an aura isn’t simply a matter of color. “Before this experience, I thought auras would just be bright rainbow colors,” he explains to Preview. “I realized they’re actually much more subtle and layered.”
“Because of my background in fashion and design, I naturally notice very specific colors like lemon yellow or a mix of three different shades. Those observations became important references throughout the collection.”
Titled “Aura,” the 2025 Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers honoree brings those observations to life through a full womenswear collection.
Kelvin Morales on His Womenswear Collection, “Aura”
For much of his career, Kelvin has worked primarily with menswear, where he’s built his design language around his signature doodle barongs, tactile embellishments, and free-form motifs inspired by nature. This collection marks a departure from that familiar territory, giving him room to experiment with a different silhouette and perspective.
“I think I’m at a phase where I want to learn and explore something new,” he says.
Years of working with menswear sharpened his eye for quality materials and precise tailoring. With “Aura,” he brings that discipline to womenswear while exploring a softer, more fluid approach to design.
One of the collection’s biggest challenges was its exploration of color, which Kelvin admits has never been his strongest suit. “It’s probably one of my weaknesses as a designer,” he says.
Aura color readings are associated with the vivid hues of the rainbow, but Kelvin was wary of taking the concept too literally. “I didn’t want the collection to become too colorful or feel festive like a rainbow,” he notes. Instead, he looked inward, drawing from the aura colors he had encountered firsthand.
“The one that fascinated me the most was white, which I see as a symbol of new beginnings, clarity, and starting over,” he explains. “The aura colors I experienced were much more mysterious, quiet, and emotional, so finding the right balance took a lot of experimentation and color studies using different reference books.”
From there, Kelvin explored varying degrees of sheerness and texture, considering how each could work alongside the other.
“We worked with materials like sheer silk and explored how different levels of transparency can work together,” he states. “We also continued developing our laminated technique, which has become one of the house codes of the brand.”
PHOTOS: KARL KING AGUÑA, COURTESY OF KELVIN MORALES
photos to expand
How to Shop Pieces from Kelvin Morales’ “Aura” Collection
Kelvin is set to preview pieces from the collection at the upcoming MaArte Fair, happening August 13–16, 2026, at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City. Following the showcase, “Aura” will be available through his official webstore, kelvinmoralesph.com, as well as at upcoming pop-up events.
For more updates, follow Kelvin Morales’ official brand page on Instagram @kelvinmmorales.
Pau is Preview’s go-to fashion girl. On most days, you’ll find her with coffee in hand, and dressed in an oversized blazer with floor-grazing jeans.