iACADEMY graduate Eugene Malabad impressed spectators with his capstone collection “Rotonda,” which was displayed at the PHx MaArte Fair at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati.

Taking inspiration from the mundane things in his daily commute particularly in Pasay, Rotonda, the 23-year-old fashion designer incorporated details from jeepneys, trains, and telephone lines into the silhouettes and embellishments of his clothes. The buzz, energy, and movement of the people in the streets served as the influence for the colors and accessories of his garments.

“My collection is primarily taken out of my experiences in my daily commute. It maintains the color of summer, oranges, ochre, and greens while having a grungy feel to it – exactly how a typical jeepney in Manila would look like. I also took inspiration from the huge multicolored umbrellas used by street vendors in the metro while ensuring that the collection remains gender-neutral since that’s also the goal of my brand Kill Joy Studios,” Malabad said.

As a designer and an artist, Eugene references the past and his everyday life. His design aesthetic is edgy, funky, and grunge and is influenced by the streets, youth culture, and the arts. He believes that clothing should be a form of expression, not dictation.

As a fan of thrift shopping, Eugene is fascinated with the idea of owning a piece of clothing (and/or accessories) regardless if it’s for men or for women, branded or not. With his brand Kill Joy Studios, he aims to challenge clothing through the fusion of masculine and feminine ideologies and create versatile and unconventional ways of dressing.

“I’m very excited and happy to be part of this collaboration with PHx Fashion Group and MaArte. It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase my work and also learn from the other designers who are present with me at the fair. I’ve had people come in and adore my work, and I also have heard from others what may be improved so that my designs can best serve their purpose. I am really grateful and just ecstatic that I can share my stories and experiences through fashion,” he shared.

The PHx Fashion Group took over 10 rooms of the Peninsula Manila’s 5th floor to showcase 23 brands that represent today’s contemporary fashion landscape. The PHx Fashion Group handpicked works of deserving graduates from fashion design schools like iACADEMY.