7 deadly sins

Kate Torralba is having fun draping her one-of-a-kind garments on many of the most beautiful shoulders in town. The petite designer (her shoe size is four and claims to be the center of foot-binding jokes) is a pleasant addition to the fashion industry with her on-prozac-heavy colors and jovially-patterned fabrics to add the much-needed Kool Aide punch to the ebony-heavy pages of fashion magazines. Her clothes give models, who are customarily pouting, a reason to smile.

Kate’s refreshing spin on modern femininity by combining classic silhouettes with zany yet beguiling fabrics (with a handbag to match, of course) has created a cult following among her clients. The "Kate" effect is due to the happy vibe that her clothes emit, especially in the fashion arena where most designers try not to be too giddy. For some, fashion has become some sort of a competition, on who interprets a certain trend better. Her philosophy falls on the art of dressing up. "I’ve always loved dressing up – even in grade school I was always the most overdressed kid at parties," Kate reveals.

Some designers dream about Morocco or India when concocting their fashion confections. For Kate, the inspiration lies in her multi-faceted personality. "I’m a self-confessed circus freak – aside from doing clothes, I am also a struggling musician and loving it. I sing and play the piano and other instruments that I suck at. I’ve done gigs at Sanctum, Pipers, the Industry Lounge – little artsy venues are my thing," she confides.

Like with all fashion fairy tales, Kate has her own to share, "I started making my little clothes back home while in college (around six years ago). I took in orders for uniforms, costumes, anything at all – but it was only late last year that my designing bit picked up here in Manila. Since I don’t have a shop, I meet clients in the strangest of places – in their homes, at the ground floor coffee shop of the building where I live, in mall bathrooms, wherever! My favorite memories include taking Tessa and Annika Valdes’ stats in the little girl’s princess bedroom, measuring Tim Yap at the rest room of Pazzo Glorietta, holding Candy and Yael (of Ishq) hostage in the comfort room near the kids’ playground at Rockwell. I’m praying and saving up for a modest studio where I can finally take my clients’ measurements in a normal setting."

When it comes to muses, Kate gathers up a bunch as eclectic and fascinating as her personality. "They come in all ages, shapes and sizes: Family, friends, children, artists, musicians, and some really kooky clients who will wear anything. But they’re mostly fun, interesting people who enjoy looking good ... I’ve been really lucky with my clients – they’re great! A lot of them have become my good friends," she enthuses.

For this spread, Kate creates the "Seven Deadly Dresses" and manages to even make sin look good. Seven cocktail dresses that will make any sinner look good at least in the eyes of the fashion-obsessed. Kate gives her lowdown on what makes the little dress: "Regardless of the cut, color, style, the bottom line is that it should make you look and feel, in C.Lo-speak, extremely FIGHT! Nothing like upping your confidence ante with your favorite outfit. And perhaps something spill-proof if you are a clumsy cocktail drinker," she advises humorously.

Of course, all of us have our favorite sins, and Kate has no qualms of admitting to hers. "Mine is gluttony. I love sweets!"

For Kate, the bottom line in style is not to believe in bottom lines. "No absolute no-nos in fashion – what’s tacky today could be the hippest thing tomorrow. Who knows, even shoulder pads could be back real soon!"

Spoken like a true optimist. With Kate you can safely ditch your anti-depressants and surrender to the cheer that her frocks bring.