Newly HIV-positive, fashion student Trevail Anderson doesn’t let his status deter him from his dreams

MARK STOKES  | Illustrator
mark@markdrawsfunny.com

Name and age:  Trevail Anderson, 23

Spotted at:  Union Jack

Occupation:  Fashion design student

This gorgeous Gemini who originally hails from Shreveport, La., has made Dallas his home for the last three years. His Creole heritage is a gumbo of nationalities, including French, Caribbean and Dominican, all simmering together in one tall, sexy frame.

Always the fashion: Creatively blessed with a talent for fashion and design, he’s a senior at Wade College, and his skills have garnered him the 2011 Dallas Market Center’s Career Day competition grand prize. He takes the accolades in stride.He has interned with local designer Nicolas Villalba; Valentino is his fashion hero. Trevail plans to orchestrate and design his own line of women’s wear and read-to-wear fashions. Most recently, his designs appeared in the Urban Jungle fashion show held at Station 4.

Catwalk: With his exotic features and streamlined body, modeling is natural for Trevail, and he has been involved in numerous assignments. Cooking is another of his outlets, an interest instilled in him by his grandmother; Creole dishes, of course, are a favorite. He enjoys exploring the Farmer’s Market as well as his own garden.

Out and about: Trevail has always acknowledged his sexuality. “I came out straight out of the womb!” he jokes.

Favorite quote: “Work hard and play hard. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Flawless: This past April, Trevail commemorated his one year anniversary of being HIV-positive. He wants to set an example for those who are poz so they will not to let anything hinder them from making their dreams a reality. He describes himself as a diamond that has been cut by pain. We consider him flawless.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 1, 2011.