‘It just came naturally’: Indigenous fashion designer and artist talks influences and career

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Throughout her life, creativity has always been at the centre of Reggie Harrold’s life.

In fact, Harrold’s creativity has taken her to unquestionable highs – including headlining the Our Gathering Indigenous conference which took place in Vancouver in February and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) in 2025. 

A member of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN), a Facebook post showcasing the February event said the community was “‘so proud to see Reggie representing FNFN ‘as a proud Dene/Slavey woman, sharing her creativity, talent and vision.’”

Harrold, the daughter of FNFN chief Archie Harrold, said her initial creative influences came from her mother.

“She was always sewing,” said Harrold. “Elegant costumes. When she retired, I slowly inched my way into her studio and became her assistant. She made a lot of native regalia.

“I incorporate some of those Indigenous elements into my work. Growing up, I lived on the ‘rez’ (reserve). So it was a little limited on creativity. But I have always been an artist and I think fashion just came in naturally over time.”

Harrold’s career has seen stops in the Okanagan and Vancouver, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees respectively.

Her contemporary style incorporates elements within First Nations heritage with a modern look, with themes surrounding identity and innovation.

Harrold’s display at last November’s VIFW showcased her talents, with elements including jingles, beadwork and sinew.

She said she felt herself “gravitating” toward textile making around seven years ago after receiving her bachelor’s degree. 

“I like to incorporate a lot of beadwork,” said Harrold. “I’m experimenting and working a lot with sinew right now. Little elements from regalia, like jingle dresses and fancy dance bead work. I like to combine those with modern fashion design.”

Now residing in Vancouver, Harrold says she hopes to inspire Indigenous youth, both in Fort Nelson and elsewhere.

“I think I hope to inspire more people to be creative,” said Harrold. “Fashion design still is a small growing community. 

“I really appreciate having my nation shout out to me on Facebook. I wore the flag at the Our Gathering [conference] when my show was done…I showed off the flag, and I made my dad and everybody really proud.”

To see more of Harrold’s designs, check out her Instagram page or website.