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The Designs of Renata Morales
by Webjockey Ember
Also check out Renata Morales' new Rifflist: normal day at the studio
Renata Morales' world travels, endless curiosity, and personal interactions culminate in her exquisite line of innovative pieces that you simply have to have! Her collection of dresses, coats and separates rock out with intricate pleating, feminine details, and explosive prints. Riffin' writer Ember chats with Renata about inspiring women and art, fast music and faster cars.
Riffin': Tell us a bit about your line and the aesthetic you strive for while designing your line.
Morales: The line has existed for about 6 years now and each season we have tried to experiment with some new technique (from weaving fabric strands into a bias effect to different pleats to printing, etc). The aesthetic we strive for keeps evolving with each season but we are quite attracted by colour, texture and movement. We like deconstruction and have a huge love for punk.
 
Riffin': Your manipulation of pleats creates gorgeous garments in the vein of Issey Miyake, infused with a youthful and playful spirit. What do you enjoy about working with pleats, and how has your use of pleating evolved throughout your collections?
Morales: I love Issey Miyake and many of the Japanese designers. They are incredibly inspiring. Pleats marvel me because of the volume and movement they can provoke on different fabrics. We have been experimenting with all kinds of pleating for the past two seasons. We will continue using pleated fabric for spring 2008, but hopefully in a different, more evolved way and with new techniques.
Riffin': Do you have a specific muse in mind when working on new seasons, or is there a composite girl who helps influence your line?
Morales: I have had the chance to meet many interesting women who have also connected with and worn what we make. I can not think of only one particular lady, but a composite of many inspiring ones, all of them from different ages, backgrounds and professions. I love women that have a particular and very personal style. They tend to reinvent our clothes by making them their own and that's inspiring.
Riffin': Your collections are heavy with prints and you integrate them into many of your designs. Do you design and develop all of your own prints, or do you look for attractive printed fabrics to use for your garments? What draws you to a certain print, and have they always been a main component of your work?
Morales: I very much enjoy making my own prints but even more, I adore collaborating with other people who work in the visual arts or who specialize in textile design. Collaborations with people you admire always seem to provoke something unique or a brand new idea. I look for that all the time.
Riffin': You have said "Music, to me, could be the highest form of art that communicates without time or borders." What music do you listen to while working on your garments and do you see cross influences between music and fashion?
Morales: We listen to all kinds of music at the studio ALL THE TIME. Silence is rare (I love silence too but music first, some music can be close to silence.) The kind of influence from fashion on music that I have seen(personally speaking), is when we are so inspired by a band or a musician that we work with- - that it shows on our product and then they enjoy wearing it on stage. I have seen amazing designers inspire musicians or links between the visual and the music that have been outstanding and reached another level.
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