The Trent Fashion Show CANDY spirited away more than 40 spectators that were in attendance on a journey to a night of sensuous, risqué, and provocative experiences in the lingerie land.

CANDY, a sexy lingerie show, was a runway event put together by Trent University students for the enjoyment of audience members aged 19 years and older. It was a preview show, leading up to the main show, which will be held on March 4, 2016.

“The main objective of the event this year is to promote self-love and confidence as well as raise money for youth and families of Youth Emergency Shelter (YES),” said Reba Harrison, creative director of Trent Fashion Show (TFS).

The theme CANDY is symbolic of the colourful, sweet, and sexy nature of the ensemble showcased by the models on the runway, explained Harrison.

The designers in play were namely No Regrets Fashion, Gear Punk’d, Salti Yoga, House of Sass and Magic (HouseSM), and Dead Daisy Vintage, a mix of Peterborough- and Toronto-based independent designers.

The event saw models of different shapes, sizes, colours, and ethnicities walk the platform, another priority of TFS. Pettigrew Spa worked their magic on the models’ hair in addition to offering space to the makeup artists.

Keila MacPherson, TFS photographer, said the event was for a good cause, and was glad to volunteer. She expressed that she feels there may be a stigma around the youth who live in the YES.

MacPherson didn’t think there should be one, so she would invest her time to help them. She talked about how she enjoyed being a part of TFS, and that it is always fun to be able to photograph different models dressed up in different clothes by various local designers.

In talking to the models, Arthur found out they had become a part of TFS for various reasons - for one, Peterborough did not offer many modeling opportunities, while other models said it was to hang out with girls and have some fun.

Perhaps most importantly, the experience with director Reba Harrison was enriching, said the models. She encouraged them to be comfortable and confident in themselves, and taught them “self-love”.

Hostess of the evening Melissa Salvadori informed the excited crowd that TFS is a student-based charity group supported by Trent University, and that it depends on the hard work and dedication of volunteers belonging to the Peterborough and Trent University community, ranging from models, music, makeup, hair, to the photographer.

TFS began in 2010 and brought together artistic students to show off the styles of local fashion boutiques.

In 2013, when Harrison took over as creative director, the show grew immensely and they began to focus on self-love and charity, explained Salvadori.

Over the past five to six years, TFS has raised roughly $3,000 for the local charities in Peterborough, she added.

The Sapphire Room donated the space in support of the event and its cause to host the Trent Fashion Show Candy on January 22, 2016.