Local Voices | with Oska Rego

In light of his recent Animal Rights award, we talk to vegan model Oska Rego about his activist lifestyle, focussing on the critical topic of animal products in the fashion industry. An animal advocate first and foremost, Rego is also a law and physical geography student, model, footballer and recently radio host of the Friday Drive show on Radio One. Rego’s fast paced lifestyle makes for an inspiring, and interesting read.

Designs by Joseph Hollebon, Modelled by Oska Rego

How do you fill your days?

I am coming toward the end of completing degrees in law and physical geography. I also contribute to animal advocacy groups and host the Friday Drive show on Radio One. I love experiencing Dunedin’s music and arts scene, going to the beaches, and playing football. I also try and make the most of all the workshops, screenings and public lectures organised by student and community groups.

Tell us a little about life as a model in Dunedin...

My work as a model is pretty sporadic, but I tend to jump at chances to work for designers and photographers plying their trade in Dunedin. The best part of walking at the Polytechnic’s Collections event and iD Fashion Week is getting to know the designers and their work. I especially enjoy taking part in photoshoots around the city. There is an exciting, ongoing energy behind fashion in Dunedin and I like being part of expressing it.

What has been your favourite modelling gig so far?

Joseph Hollebon’s graduate collection, which I did one of my favourite photoshoots for, and walked in for Collections and iD. I loved the elegance and cohesiveness of the collection, which is incredibly well made. Joe is really good to work with, and I am glad I was able to model for him.

What role does fashion play in your life?

I wear a very broad variety of clothes, which I think reflects my broad range of interests, pastimes and ambitions. I make a conscious effort to use fashion to express myself and make an impression on people. I love how I can be put in a completely different state of mind by donning a suit, compared to when I put on jeans and a hoody. My outfit helps frame whatever it is I am doing, whether it is going to work or attending a gig.

“By making people aware of the basic interests of animals, and how they can avoid causing suffering, we can make the world a better place.”

Who are some of your favourite designers?

The designers I take an interest in are locally based, or have come to my attention through involvement in fashion events. I am always impressed by Dunedin-based Jack Hill, and Kowtow’s Gosia Piatek. At the last iD Fashion Week I modelled at I was blown away with the work of Jordan Anderson and Demetra Kakopieros.

How do your vegan values translate to your work with the fashion industry?

I am vegan for reasons of equity and justice. My work in fashion is, more than anything, for personal enjoyment and I see it as quite separate from my general ambition of making the world a more just place. Veganism is, however, a way of life that seeks to minimise suffering. With this in mind, I think it is important as a vegan to be sure my work does not promote or legitimise animal exploitation in the fashion industry. I was really honoured to wear the Kakopieros collection which was an embodiment of vegan values and an example of how fashion can be brilliant without being exploitative.

What are your views on the use of leather and fur in fashion?

Along with the use of bone, silk, feathers, wool and other animal-derived materials, the use of leather and fur and fashion are a cause and result of unjustified and often horrendous animal exploitation. Whenever a designer or customer purchases these materials they are funding and legitimising the deprivation of liberty and infliction of pain that goes along with obtaining them. Denouncing and eliminating the use of animal parts in fashion is a crucial part of the animal liberation movement towards a world with less suffering and respect for the sentience of non-human animals.  

Why do you feel it’s important to talk about vegan values and animal rights?

I believe that many, many people are opposed to causing needless suffering, but through either inadvertent or deliberate ignorance are not aware of the impact their lifestyles have on unseen animals. By making people aware of the basic interests of animals, and how they can avoid causing suffering, we can make the world a better place.

To follow Oska on his journey or see more designs from Joseph Hollebon, see the links below.

@oskarego

Friday Drive every Friday night or click link for Podcast

@oskrego

@jeauxmotion

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