KaladKaren has come a long way from her days as a celebrity impersonator. Since reveling in internet virality seven years ago, the content creator has become a resident judge on Drag Race Philppines, an award-winning actress, and a trailblazing news anchor. Grounding her throughout all of her endeavors is a staunch dedication to taking up space as a transgender woman.
For someone who wears several hats, KaladKaren constantly finds herself in a flurry of outfit changes. In an exclusive interview, she talks about her styling process, and how the clothes on her back are more than just mere fashion statements.
KaladKaren on What Fashion Means to Her as a Transgender Woman
Preview caught up with the June 2023 cover girl at Cosmopolitan Philippines' Women of Influence recognition dinner, where she was awarded as "The Groundbreaker." When asked about how she gets dressed for her engagements, KaladKaren credits her stylist Rodel Briñas, who's been there ever since she launched her showbiz career.
"He tries to push me out of my comfort zone, which is good. Because if it [were just up to] me, [I would just be in] a sexy dress or something sparkly. But Rodel pushes me to showcase another side of me," she shares.
The KaladKaren uniform usually consists of a Venus-cut dress (or anything that will show off her "sexiness or slimness") and a pair of heels. As someone who grew up playing in her mom's clothes, being able to wear stilettos daily is an empowering experience.
"When I was a little boy, I wore my mom's heels. So I told myself, when I become a woman in the future, I'll wear heels every day," she recounts. "I will savor this moment. Because there were times when I would get caught wearing heels by my dad, uncle, or grandpa, and I would get yelled at. [I would be told that I] can't wear heels because [I'm] a man or whatever."
KaladKaren continues, emphasizing how the pair of shoes affirms her womanhood: "So now that I am who I am, and I can express myself fully and authentically, [I can] do everything that I want to feel confident and to feel beautiful. And one of those things is wearing heels."
She realized the power fashion holds when she played the acclaimed character of Wilhelmina in Here Comes the Groom, for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. For the soul-swapped role, she was tasked to wear menswear for most scenes.
"I felt that I had body dysmorphia during that time because I felt like, 'Oh, this isn't me, this doesn't look like me,'" she shares.
Through the experience, the actress learned the importance of expressing herself through fashion. She adds that people don't need to break the bank in order to be stylish, and expounded that there's nothing wrong with wearing hand-me-downs or pieces from thrift shops.
Overall, the Woman of Influence emphasizes that "heels are life." She puts it candidly, saying, "When I walk around, I need to wear heels. There's a difference with the power that heels give you and your stance. [Your aura will change] when you wear heels."
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