By Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris Villaraza from Philippines

Photos = Mikaella Borinaga and Kael Street

Mikaella Borinaga is a Philippine fashion designer of tops inspired by modern Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing).

Also a textile artist and model, she earned in 2022 a bachelor's in fashion design and merchandise at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. She began her fashion career as a styling associate at GMA Entertainment, one of the Philippines' top broadcast networks, creating costume sketches for shows.

In July last year, she launched her brand Kael Street to "sustainably revive vintage styles, blending nostalgia with modern tastes."

Philippine fashion designer Mikaella Borinaga specializes in Hanbok-inspired tops.

She repurposes old but unused household textiles into handmade pieces for collections that include women's Hanbok tops jeogori that creatively blend tradition and modernity. Inspired by the upper Hanbok garment jeogori, they comprise a collar, overlapping front panel and string. 

From Sept. 6-7, she unveiled her first men's Hanbok collection at the Purveyr Fair held at the World Trade Center in Pasay. She has further diversified her works by adding Hanbok tops incorporating Philippine weaves. 

Kael Street's collections include women's Hanbok tops with Philippine weaves.

The following are excerpts from an email interview with Borinaga from July 24 to Sept. 9.

What inspired you to create fashion pieces by upcycling household textiles?
I always see potential in old things. They are charming and have a durability difficult to find these days. It's a shame to waste them.

Why as a Philippine designer did you decide to make Hanbok-inspired tops?
My parents met in Korea, and I fell in love with the country when we visited last year. While in Korea, we saw an exhibition of the country's rich history of embroidery at Seoul Museum of Craft Art. Part of that was the bojagi (wrapping cloth), namely its purpose, ways to use it, materials used and its value. I thought of how cool it would be to incorporate jogakbo (traditional patchwork) or bojagi in my works.

These are items the designer saw in November 2024 at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art: a Hanbok (right) featuring jogakbo (traditional patchwork) and a bojagi (traditional wrapping cloth).

As far as I knew, no one had ever tried creating Hanbok in Manila. I felt that people would take an interest in a reworked Hanbok due to its comfort, loose silhouette and wrap style. Plus, it's a beautiful design.

While walking the streets of Seoul, I saw women walking around in their rented Hanbok outfits near Gyeongbokgung Palace. So I thought why not.

What feedback do you usually receive about your Hanbok tops?

Most people are usually surprised to see how well it fits and greet me with smiles. Hanbok tops are quite friendly to most body types, so it's not difficult to style. I get compliments on the colorful jogakbo of the bojagi and how I patched it with colorful household textiles and weaves. They never thought something typically used for wrapping or as a placemat works well for a top like this. 

What message do you wish to express through your blended creations?

I'd like to encourage a sense of excitement and confidence and for people to step out of their comfort zone and be adventurous with their wardrobe choices. I also hope to showcase the beauty of both cultures through clothing. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.