What is your major and year?
I’m a fourth year student majoring in Gender & Women’s Studies with a minor in Business Administration.
What is your position in Trent Fashion Show and have long have you be involved?
This is my third year as Director of the Trent Fashion Show and fourth year as a fashion designer within the runway shows.
Why are you a member of the Trent Fashion Show?
The Trent Fashion Show is my baby. Many people think I started it but it was [actually] passed onto me the summer before my second year at Trent as all the former members were graduating. It was a tiny club but I had a vision to grow the group into a well-known charity within the Peterborough and Trent communities.
I have my own online clothing brand called No Regrets Fashion [to which I] apply my feminist ideologies. [I]t is natural that I would want to support a group that brings together artistic individuals who share a love for fashion and support local shelters.
It is also important for me to promote self-love and healthy body imaging through this group.
I see the need for it on campus and within our community and I am just helping to fill a part of it with my team.
What is your favourite memory or favourite part of the Trent Fashion Show group?
I think I speak on behalf of many TFS members when I say that I have met the most amazing friends through this group who I may not have met otherwise. It feels incredible to raise money for our community’s shelters in a way that is fun for many! I don’t think students and shopowners realize how important emergency shelters are. I have been in one and will forever be grateful.
What are your long-term goals after you graduate Trent University?
I plan to not only expand my clothing brand, but also form a new self-sustaining non-governmental organization to help rebuild communities internationally that have been crippled by the garments industry by putting the power back into the hands of community members.
They will compete with nearby sweatshops and support each other by using an ethical business model. I also plan to live with 15 cats. I don’t care much where, as long as there are 15 cats.
Editors Note: Reba Harrison is also an Arthur writer, and we couldn’t be more proud!