Stylish Fanshawe grad's career is rad

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: NATALIE BRADSHAW
Fanshawe alumna's unique shop, Filthy Rebena, allows people to update their wardrobe in vintage style.

Natalie Bradshaw and her business partner Darlene Davis just celebrated their one-year anniversary since opening the trendy vintage shop Filthy Rebena.

Bradshaw didn’t become an entrepreneur overnight; it took many years of hustling, starting with attending Fanshawe’s Fashion and Design program.

“My experience at Fanshawe was all around good. [I] loved how passionate and approachable the teachers were….Those three years were very intense and hands on.”

After Fanshawe, Bradshaw moved to Toronto and spent five years working for various companies until she decided she wanted more.

“[I] realized that all my hard work would be more satisfying if it was put towards my own business and what I believe in.”

The Internet played a huge role in Bradshaw’s ability to make the change to working for herself. Bradshaw and Davis started Filthy Rebena as an online-only Etsy store.

The two met when they worked together at a vintage company we both worked for called Beyond Retro in the e-commerce section.

“We styled, photographed and input the vintage pieces for Beyond Retro’s website. We learned a lot from that place and that is how our own baby Filthy Rebena was born. Selling online is great because there is little overhead and you are selling internationally 24 hours a day, which is cool.

Bradshaw said the Internet has helped with their marketing strategy.

“We have marketed our business all for free thanks to all the social media tools that are at our fingertips.”

After a few years in the online market, Filthy Rebena needed a more tangible home.

“I knew I wanted to open a brick and mortar store front, but it financially was not attainable to do in Toronto. I wanted to go somewhere that the idea was still fresh. I really enjoyed London when I went to school here.”

There are many things that Bradshaw loves about her career, but her favourite is helping to make recycling clothing a fashion statement.

“I love that aspect. My favourite task in the whole thing is hunting for the goods and creating a strong brand/aesthetic.”

In terms of plans for the future Bradshaw said that she wants to focus on solidifying the business.

“[I want] to make it super successful, while sticking to what I truly believe in: good design and ethical fashion.”

For current fashion students, Bradshaw gives some career advice on how to be successful.

“Fashion is an art but you succeed with it more if you are very business minded and practical, which might sound very boring to the starting out ‘fashionista’. If you grasp this concept early it will really help you out, but I guess there does need to be more Alexander McQueens out there so [make sure to] let your freak flag fly.”

For those looking for an ethically conscious way to get a unique wardrobe, check out Filthy Rebena at 177 Dundas St. You can also visit them on all of the social media platforms and their website www.filthyrebena.com.