Exclusive – Kailand Morris is showing the world what it means to be a modern creative

It’s this innate perception that galvanised Kailand into collaborating with redeyeinc (a corporation helping the less fortunate) on KOM Worldwide, the non-profit division of House of KOM.

Though currently still in the works, the organisation has already donated all proceeds from the BLM tees – as well as a selection of bags, face masks, and water bottles – to the Watts Empowerment Centre, a foundation with the largest youth population from ages 8 to 21 in America. ‘I wanted to provide them with the resources they so desperately needed so they would feel that any dreams they hope to accomplish in the future are absolutely achievable,’ he says.

Kailand has also joined forces with Italian fashion brand Iceberg on a range of 175 limited-edition t-shirts to be donated directly to the Watts Empowerment Centre following the label’s generous pledge to donate an undisclosed sum to the charity. Standing in solidarity with those most affected by the pandemic, Iceberg is aiming to support the redeyeinc network of non-profits that’s currently housing an outdoor learning hub to help children without Internet connection or technology resources attend virtual classes during lockdown.

‘The Watts Empowerment Centre was brought to our attention by Morris and we at Iceberg felt as passionate as he does to support the work of this incredible and important charity. Our collaborative T-shirt is a symbol of family and positivity,’ says Iceberg’s creative director, James Long, who met Kailand in 2018 when he modelled the brand’s clothing at its London Fashion Week showcase.

Praising Gen Z’s unrelenting involvement with social change, Kailand stresses the importance of giving young people an opportunity to have their voices heard. ‘It’s so necessary we maintain these conversations so that genuine change can be established. So far we’ve witnessed this huge domino effect that shows no signs of stopping, but our next obstacle is getting the older generations on board.’

Alongside his admirable philanthropic endeavours, Kailand’s unique way of drawing upon his surroundings for creative influence is tantamount to how Gen Z is looking outside the contrasts of the norm.

‘I would just say people can expect some revolutionary, never seen before ways of creating in terms of fashion design,’ he says. ‘One of the backbones of House of KOM is that everything we create is made from 100% sustainable, re-usable, recycled fabrics. I want to eradicate this idea that using eco-friendly materials means sacrificing quality and a high-end luxury feel.’

Striving to tackle the stigma that sustainability isn’t accessible, Kailand explains that what it comes down to is a lack of research.

‘A lot of brands haven’t even explored the potential of these materials because they don’t know where to start looking,’ he says. ‘But given how the internet has played such a pivotal role in the development of my creative process, it shocks me that some of the industry’s major players aren’t using it to do the same.’

Despite how he has positioned himself as an individual force of change, Kailand – and Mandla with him – is well-aware that togetherness and human connection hold the key to a better future. Crediting their parents for instilling a desire in them to embrace activism, the brothers are now turning their attention to proving the unlimited prowess of their generation.

‘I have no doubt that if we work together, we can bring about real change,’ finishes Kailand. ‘These are things that not one person can fix or two, nor a hundred thousand or even a million – all of us need to unite in order to transform our world into one we are truly proud to be a part of.’

Although there’s no way of saying exactly what lies in store for Kailand and Mandla, one things for sure, the future is definitely in very good hands.

And finally, a big thank you to Shawn Mann for making this exclusive possible.