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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
...AND INSTEAD SHAKES UP THE MARKET BY DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY" ~Sir Richard Branson
#BeDisruptive #RockTheBoat #BeDEFIant
(DE-FI) Global INC: Bold.Disruptive.(DE-FI)ant.
The Problem: Fashion is Not for the Faint of Heart. And Location Matters
If you're an aspiring, emerging, or established fashion professional hungry for experiential opportunities, game-changing resources, and tools to elevate your brand, business, and skills—then let's be real. The lack of space, access, affordability, support, and networking in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas isn't just inconvenient; it's suffocating. Barriers to success are everywhere, but here's the truth: only the bold survive.
The journey through fashion isn't glitzy, glamorous, or Insta-worthy. It's gritty. It’s grueling. It’s the long nights, the relentless grind, and the sacrifices no one sees. It’s not about the fleeting five minutes of glory at the end of an event—though those moments are sweet. It’s about the blood, sweat, and strategy that gets you there.
Fashion is war, and the battlefield is cutthroat.
The resources? Limited.
The competition? Fierce.
Only the best of the best break through. If you want to claim your spot at the top, you'll need more than talent—you'll need grit, resilience, and an edge sharper than the scissors in your hand.
At (DE-FI) Global INC, we don’t sugarcoat the industry. We prepare you for it. The incubator journey will test you, break you, and rebuild you stronger. It’s not for everyone, but for those who dare to (DE-FI) all odds, the experience is transformative. Fashion is a business, and the business is brutal. But when you’ve survived the chaos, the rewards are unmatched.
The Fashion Journey: Brutal, Relentless, and Worth It.
Let’s set the record straight: the journey in fashion is not glitzy, and it’s certainly not glamorous. The fashion incubator experience is raw, real, and nothing short of a battlefield. Here’s what it really takes to make it:
1. Hard Work – This isn’t a casual stroll down a runway. It’s grit, hustle, and grind.
2. Long Hours – Forget 9-to-5. Fashion demands your time, your energy, and then some.
3. It’s Not Fun – There’s joy, yes, but this is no party. It’s relentless problem-solving, deadlines, and stress.
4. Moments of Glory Are Fleeting – That sweet moment of celebration after a project? Short-lived. You’re back to the grind before you know it.
5. It’s Not Glamorous – Sure, there’s a sparkle here and there, but it’s about 5% of the industry. The other 95%? Pure hustle.
6. Cutthroat Competition – Resources are scarce, and only the best of the best earn access. Want a shot? You need an edge.
7. Survival of the Fittest – This isn’t for the weak-hearted. You adapt, evolve, and fight to stay in the game.
8. A Constant Learning Experience – Fashion will stretch you, test you, and keep you on your toes.
9. It Will Break You – Expect tears, self-doubt, and moments of questioning why you started.
10. It’s Business – It’s tough, it’s unforgiving, but it’s also deeply rewarding for those who stick it out AND understand the business end of the industry.
You need a support system and all the tools and resources that you can gain access to. Then once you’re where you need to be professionally, you realize that you aren’t where you need to be location wise due to the lack of understanding that the fashion industry is a $1.57 Trillon dollar a year industry and the nation’s 3rd largest employer and should be invested in by small market cities like Cincinnati and Dayton as an economic game changer.
The Solution: The Original Regional Fashion Powerhouse- (DE-FI) Global INC
Let’s get one thing straight—we didn’t follow trends; we created them. While everyone else throws around the word “experience” like it’s some shiny new thing, (DE-FI) Global INC owns it. The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC coined the term “fashion experience” in 2013. We’re not just a part of the conversation—we are the conversation. For over a decade, we’ve been the blueprint, the innovators, and the standard-bearers of what regional fashion organizations aspire to be.
And while others attempt to replicate our influence, let’s be clear: they can’t duplicate our results.
The (DE-FI) Fashion Pipeline: A Game-Changer Since 2014
In 2014, we introduced the world to the Fashion Pipeline—a concept so bold and effective that it reshaped how talent moves through the industry. This isn’t just a fancy phrase; it’s a visual map of how we elevate talent from dreamers to professionals, leveraging networks, strategy, and sheer will along the way. It’s a model that has set us apart and propelled countless success stories.
At (DE-FI) Global INC, we don’t just prepare you for the industry—we redefine the way you experience it.
What Makes Us Unstoppable
We’re the first-of-its-kind, one-stop fashion incubator. Our mission? To put community first while pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible for aspiring, emerging, and established fashion talent. No other organization has matched our ability to deliver for all levels of talent at the same damn time.
For over a decade, we’ve been the backbone of regional fashion. Our programming and influence have been so disruptive and effective that it’s forced others to reimagine their own approaches. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but no one does it like (DE-FI).
The (DE-FI) Empire
The (DE-FI) Fashion Pipeline is an unmatched ecosystem of innovation and creativity that includes:
Four Showcases & 12 Signature Experiences:
- A Week in (DE-FI)ance
- Dayton Fashion Week: The Collections
- (DE-FI) Fashion Week: The No-Shows Fashion Week
- Fashion Week of Cincinnati
Three Fashion Incubators:
- The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator
- The Dayton Fashion Week Designer Incubator
- A Generation of (DE-FI)ance Youth Incubator
Two Publications:
- (DE-FI)ance Magazine
- (PARENTHICALLY) Speaking Newsletter
One Boutique:
- Cincinnati and Dayton Threads
One Workspace:
- The House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-Working Experience
Why We’re the Solution
(DE-FI) Global INC is more than a hub—it’s the evolution of a movement. While the fashion industry reshuffles itself in the wake of reshoring and talent migration, the Midwest is primed to become a major player. And (DE-FI) is the anchor making that happen.
With affordable access, world-class resources, and a support system tailored to the grind of the fashion industry, we’re giving talent the tools to thrive locally and globally. Whether you're aspiring to break in, growing your brand, or solidifying your legacy, (DE-FI) Global INC is the ultimate resource for bold creatives who refuse to settle.
This is your moment, your movement, and your launchpad. The industry is evolving—and with (DE-FI), you’re not just keeping up. You’re leading the charge.
Ready to (DE-FI) expectations? Welcome to the original fashion experience. Welcome to (DE-FI).
The Disruption: We Didn’t Ask—We Took Over
What's that saying? "You either win with us, or you watch us win." At (DE-FI), it’s not just the lyrics to a song—it’s a way of life. When we launched in 2013, we came to play nice and we came to change the game. We wanted the world to witness the birth of a new era in emerging fashion—an era rooted in Dayton, Ohio. Our mission was clear: springboard local talent onto national stages, connect them with opportunities across the country, and transform abandoned factories left behind by General Motors, Delphi, and Chrysler into a thriving garment manufacturing hub.
However, no filters, no fluff—this is how it went down. Making that connection wasn’t easy. Those other so-called “power players” weren’t interested in playing nice with us or sharing the spotlight. Locally? We got dismissed, ignored, blocked, gate-kept, and straight-up sabotaged. Small business owners, leaders of local government agencies, and even community leaders couldn’t handle our success, our growth, or our refusal to play by their rules. They were uncomfortable with our audacity, our creativity, and the way we blew past barriers like they didn’t exist.
And why? Because we weren’t the first to dream big—but we were the first to pull it off. While others tried to stop us, they forgot one crucial detail: we don’t stop. Sewing companies and other local garment makers? They formed cliques. They schemed. They tried to block us. What did we do? We gathered our supplies and built our own damn table.
We Changed the Rules. Then We Changed the Game.
Instead of begging for a seat at their table, we built one bigger, better, and stronger. And at our table, we invited everyone who dared to dream to have a seat. We didn’t just create opportunities—we created a community. We didn’t just challenge the status quo—we disrupted it. We took every doubt, every rejection, every gate slammed in our faces, and we turned them into stepping stones and made those who attempted to block us our footstools by kicking in every door that they closed.
But here's the kicker: now they come to us.
The same organizations that dismissed us, blocked us, and tried to shut us down are now reaching out to us. They want to know how we did it. They want to collaborate, they want to build with us, stand next to us, and leverage our success. Why? Because they've finally realized what we've known all along: we are the movement.
We didn’t reinvent the wheel—we re(DE-FI)ned how it's used and the way that it moves. We blazed our own path, created our own legacy, and set the standard so high that the same people who tried to stop us are now copying our playbook. They take pages from our blueprint, slap their names on it, and call it innovation. But make no mistake: we are the originators.
The Gate-Busting Legacy
For over a decade, (DE-FI) Global INC has been a predominately self-funded regional fashion powerhouse, breaking down barriers and holding doors open for others. We are raw, unapologetic, and honest—we are everything that the industry didn’t know it needed. We’ve built a global reputation for developing world-class talent and creating immersive, (DE-FI)ant fashion experiences. We’ve created spaces where dreams are no longer “too wild” but are simply goals waiting to be achieved.
(DE-FI) is more than an organization—it’s a family. #DatDEFIFam We’re the dream-makers and the standard-setters. For every naysayer, critic, and obstacle, we’ve made their resistance the foundation of our success.
We’re not here for approval, validation, or permission. You either support us, or you watch us win—again and again. (DE-FI). Where (DE-FI)ance isn’t just in our name—it’s in our DNA.
Who We Are: The Black Sheep of Fashion, Unapologetic and Unstoppable
We’re the black sheep, the "good troublemakers", and the ones who thrive in the face of rejection. We don’t chase cliques, sell out for applause, or bow down to the status quo. Popularity contests? Not our vibe. We’re here to shake the foundation, redefine the rules, and create spaces that are unapologetically authentic. That’s (DE-FI) Global INC.
Founded and directed by Dayton native and former model Caressa L. Brown, (DE-FI) is the spark that's ignited a fashion renaissance. After working behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) volunteer team from 2013 to 2018, Caressa brought her big-city experience back home. And under her leadership, (DE-FI) has shattered every expectation of what a regional fashion organization can do.
In 2021, (DE-FI) was handpicked as a founding member of the CFDA Connects program, a collective of 12 trailblazing regional fashion organizations from across the country. This elite group—including powerhouses from **Las Vegas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami, Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dayton—**worked together to amplify American fashion. And we’re not just affiliates. We’re official players, movers, and shakers in the game.
Caressa, along with (DE-FI) alumni Aceani Michelle Ross-Bigbee, served on the Executive Leadership Committee and were voting members of the CFDA Fashion Awards Guild. Let that sink in: Dayton, Ohio, not only has a seat at the table—it’s helping call the shots.
But the real flex? We’ve done it all as a volunteer-led initiative. No corporate backing, no polished façade—just pure grit, vision, and community. We’re not your polished, posh, or stereotypical “fashion-forward” clique. We’re raw, unfiltered, and real. We’ve built an empire in one of the most unlikely cities to host a thriving fashion community—Dayton, Ohio.
But don’t get it twisted: Dayton is just the beginning. In 2022, we planted our flag in Cincinnati, and our expansion isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
We are (DE-FI). We are (DE-FI)ant, disruptive, and determined. And if you’re looking for ordinary, you’ve come to the wrong place.
What We Do: Building Dreams, Breaking Barriers, and Doing It Our Way
At (DE-FI) Global INC, we don’t just bring the fashion industry and community together—we transform it. We’re the ultimate resource for fashion talent, equipping dreamers, doers, and disruptors with the educational tools, access, opportunities, and programming they need to level up and dominate their space.
Here’s how we make it happen:
1. We Build Fashion Professionals from the Ground Up.
Whether your dream is to become a designer, strut the runway as a model, or work behind the scenes as a creative powerhouse or business mogul, (DE-FI) takes you from aspiration to action. Through engaging workshops, purposeful travel, immersive experiences, and hands-on projects—like editorials, fashion business strategy, and runway collections—we make sure you’re not just prepared for the industry but ready to take it by storm.
2. We Create Connections That Count.
At (DE-FI), we know that no one thrives alone. That’s why we connect fashion talent with like-minded individuals to build teams, brands, and support systems that move careers forward. Collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s embedded in everything we do.
3. We Open Doors to New Markets.
(DE-FI) provides opportunities for fashion talent to step out of their comfort zones and into new arenas. Whether it’s showcasing collections, networking with top players, or breaking into untapped markets, we make sure you’re always in the right place at the right time.
4. We Do It All—and Then Some.
(DE-FI) doesn’t just stop at creating opportunities; we create experiences. We push boundaries, open minds, and challenge the status quo—all while staying true to our mission of fostering creativity, community, and success.
At (DE-FI) Global INC, we’re not just changing the game. We’re building a new one entirely. If you’re ready to dream big, work hard, and (DE-FI) expectations, the stage is set; the spotlight's on you.
Why We Do It: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, and (DE-FI)ng the Odds
Here's the undeniable truth: what we do isn’t optional—it’s essential. When you look at the cold, hard facts, the need for (DE-FI) Global INC becomes impossible to ignore. Dayton, Cincinnati, and Southwest Ohio aren’t just underserved—they’re overlooked. And while others are busy ignoring the potential in our communities, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting to work.
Our Why: It’s Personal. It’s Purposeful.
Our mission has always been about breaking down barriers—financial, structural, and systemic—that hold so many back from achieving their dreams in the fashion industry. For our founder, Caressa L. Brown, this fight is deeply personal.
Caressa’s story isn’t one of privilege or smooth paths. It’s a story of resilience and grit. Signing her first modeling contract at just 12 years old, she overcame relentless bullying and low self-esteem to pursue her dreams. But when her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, strained finances forced her to put her dreams on hold. Despite signing contracts with top agencies like Elite and Factor, a lack of support and overwhelming family obligations meant those dreams couldn’t fully materialize.
And that’s why Caressa made a promise: to become the support system that she never had. (DE-FI) Global INC was born out of a commitment to uplift others, to ensure that financial struggles, lack of resources, and inadequate support never stop someone else’s dreams from taking flight.
Our Why: It’s About Economic Transformation.
Let’s talk numbers, because the data doesn’t lie. According to the 2020 Census:
- The median household income is $41,000 in Dayton and $49,000 in Cincinnati.
- 30% of Dayton’s residents live in poverty. Cincinnati? 24.7%.
- Out of 248 Ohio cities, Dayton ranks 12th for childhood poverty, and Cincinnati ranks 28th.
- Montgomery County is 19th in childhood poverty out of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Our communities are in desperate need of better-paying jobs and a more diverse economy. And the fashion industry isn’t just creative—it’s an economic powerhouse.
Fashion is the Opportunity Our Region Needs.
- The U.S. apparel manufacturing industry employs over 144,000 people.
- Higher-paying garment manufacturing jobs like market research specialists earn $59,750 annually.
- Fabric and apparel pattern makers? $53,800 a year.
- Garment tech professionals? $67,000 a year.
The potential is enormous. But here’s the problem: while cities like St. Louis and Columbus are investing big in their fashion industries, Dayton and Cincinnati are stuck in neutral.
- St. Louis pays designers $50,000 to relocate to their city.
- Columbus has poured over $500,000 into retaining designers since 2020.
Meanwhile, local governments in Southwest Ohio? Crickets.
Why (DE-FI) Does What Others Won’t
(DE-FI) Global INC isn’t just about producing world-class talent—though we’ve mastered that, too. It’s about creating a fashion economy that benefits everyone, from aspiring designers to skilled garment professionals. And while others talk about what could be, we’re proving what is possible.
The fashion industry is worth billions, with the top-paying roles according to Indeed making:
1) Design Director, $136,685/yr
2) Creative Director, $109,013/yr
3) Product Manager, $106,480/yr
4) Sourcing Manager, $94,485/yr
5) Art Director, $76,447/yr
6) Brand Manager, $72,453/yr
7) Marketing Manager, $71,618/yr
8) E-Commerce, $68,794/yr
9) Account Executive, $68,516/yr
10) Editor-in-Chief, $64,205/yr
11) PR Manager, $62,039/yr
12) Buyer, $59,700/yr
13) Merchandising Manager, $58,093/yr
14) Fashion Designer, $43,056/yr
15) Wardrobe Stylist, $29, 419/yr
When We Do It: Exclusive, Unapologetic, and Unmatched
Access to (DE-FI) isn’t a free-for-all—it’s an invitation-only experience.
Lessons Learned: Boundaries Are the New Standard
Over the years, we’ve learned some tough lessons—not everyone appreciates the value of what we bring to the table. At (DE-FI), we’ve poured our resources, connections, and energy into building opportunities for talent, often without regard for their ability to pay. But generosity without boundaries? That’s a recipe for being taken advantage of, and trust us, we’ve been there.
We’ve seen it all:
- Models who turned career-building trips to top agencies in Chicago into sightseeing tours.
- Designers we connected to life-changing opportunities, like Art Hearts Fashion, who didn’t show up for their scheduled shifts because they were too busy shopping. Others decided the work was too laborious, or got upset that they'd have to take initiative, step up, and figure some things out on their own.
- Business trips meant for growth and networking that were treated as vacations.
These moments didn’t just test our patience—they taught us the importance of respecting the process and valuing the opportunities we create.
As a result of a few bad apples, we’ve established boundaries. At (DE-FI), we’re about investing in the serious, the driven, and the bold—those who understand that success isn’t handed out, it’s earned. If you want to be part of what we do, you’ve got to respect what we bring.
We’re here to build careers, not cater to convenience. Our mission is too important, and our resources are too valuable, to waste on those who aren’t ready to take themselves seriously. The door is open—but only if you’re ready to walk through it with purpose.
For those bold enough to make their mark. We don’t do average, and we don’t do ordinary. If you want in, you have to bring your A-game.
Here’s how it works:
Once a year, we open the door for aspiring and emerging fashion designers to request an invitation into our elite incubators. But if you missed the window, you’ll have to wait your turn. The 2025 invitation request window closed in September 2024 during (DE-FI) Fashion Week.
Right now, the spotlight is on our next big moment:
- We’re accepting invitation requests for Defiance Magazine.
- We’re calling for editorial writers, advertisers, contributors, bloggers, and creatives ready to push boundaries.
- Designers, featured speakers, interactive vendors, and runway models—this is your chance to be part of A Weekend of Defiance and Dayton Fashion Week:The Collections.
If you’re waiting for permission to shine, you’ve come to the wrong place. At (DE-FI), we don’t hand out participation trophies—we build legacies. Are you ready to step into the spotlight? Let’s (DE-FI) expectations together.
How We Do It: Bold, Independent, and Relentless
There's no denying it. We’re not your average fashion incubator. For over a decade, (DE-FI) has been a privately held, largely self-funded powerhouse that turns dreams into reality. We don’t just talk about supporting the fashion industry—we live it, breathe it, and execute it like no one else can.
What sets us a part is this: we’ve never turned anyone away because they couldn’t pay. Not once. Instead, we’ve created opportunities for everyone to earn, whether it’s through commissions, collaborations, or sheer hustle.
The (DE-FI) Difference
When you’re part of (DE-FI), you’re not just gaining access to resources—you’re stepping into an ecosystem designed to:
- Amplify your mission as a designer.
- Expand your reach as a brand.
- Increase your awareness of the fashion industry.
- Strengthen your business connections across commerce, media, and trade, both in the American fashion industry and globally.
We elevate influence and opportunities by championing mentorship, entrepreneurship, collaboration, team building, community grants, and scholarships. (DE-FI) doesn’t just support fashion—we build legacies.
Partner With Purpose
Want to get involved? Learn how you or your organization can become a strategic partner and join us in making dreams a reality. But let’s make one thing crystal clear: we don’t need everyone’s money, time, or involvement.
If your vision, mission, goals, and core values don’t align with ours, if you’re not here to genuinely support the community and elevate the industry, then we’re not interested.
We’ve stood on our own for over a decade, and we’ll keep doing it. Because at (DE-FI), we’re not here to conform, and we’re (DE-FI)nitely not here to compromise. We’re here to (DE-FI) expectations and redefine the game—our way.
Straight Facts, No Chaser: (DE-FI) Global INC is THAT Group
#TheEvolutionOfDEFI has always been unapologetic. Building on the legacy of the (DE-FI brand’s crown jewel, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator, we have long been recognized for our unwavering commitment to the growth and development of fashion-based talent and for fostering a viable, nurturing, independent, and self-sustaining fashion community. We don’t just grow talent—we create an ecosystem where it thrives.
It’s never business as usual for us. Every event, every program, every experience is a custom-crafted masterpiece designed to captivate, inspire, and push boundaries. At (DE-FI) Global INC, you’ll never have the same experience twice.
Our events and programming aren’t just about fashion—they’re about creating moments that (DE-FI)ne careers. We don’t showcase stars—we create them. We give participants, contributors, and patrons the unparalleled chance to witness tomorrow’s icons at the birth of their journey.
Follow their rise, take in the process, and when they dominate the industry, you’ll proudly have the opportunity to say, “I knew them when...” When we tell you to #RememberTheirName, believe us—write it down. Sit back, take notes, and just watch.
No other regional fashion organization can hold a candle to what (DE-FI) Global INC. has built. The proof is in the success stories. Over the years, we’ve made Southwest Ohio the undeniable fashion capital for developing world-class talent across every discipline—designers, models, creators, and innovators.
Others talk about success. We deliver it. That’s (DE-FI). That’s the standard. Watch closely, or get left behind.
We Told You So: Proof That (DE-FI) Delivers
Where can you find(DE-FI) alums now? The answer is simple: everywhere. We took talent from the shadows, nurtured their potential, and launched them to heights they didn’t even know were possible.
Here’s a shortlist of where our alums have landed:
- Runways in New York, Paris, and Milan—because we don’t just dream big, we make it happen.
- Designing for global fashion powerhouses—turning their visions into collections that dominate the industry.
- Featured in major publications like Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar—because talent this undeniable can’t be ignored.
- Spearheading campaigns for top-tier brands—leaving their mark on everything from high fashion to streetwear.
- Launching their own fashion empires—proving that independence isn’t just a goal, it’s a reality.
But trust us, that's just scratching the surface. Want a more detailed list? We got you:
Started from the bottom, now we're here!
- On the runway for Versace
- In ad campaigns for Saint Jesus
- On the runway for Saral Zens
- In ad campaigns for Savage x Fenty
- Featured in Vogue
- In ad campaigns for Kohl's
- In ad campaigns for Michael Kors
- In ad campaigns for ASOS
- In ad campaigns for When Smoke Clears
- In ad campaigns for Marc Jacobs
- On the Executive Board for CFDA Connects
- Designing for Ulla Johnson
- Designing for Calvin Klein
- Featured in Women's Wear Daily
- Featured in InStyle Magazine
- Styling for Shape Magazine
- Designing for Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition
- Featured in Ebony Magazine
- Interning for Ross Dress for Less
- Executive at L Brands
- Named to Forbes Under 30 Fellows
- Styling at The Grammy's
- Styling at The Oscars
- Featured actors on Broadway
- Styling for HBO
- Designing for White House Black Market
- Designing for CB2
- Designing for Marchesa
- Featured actors on Hallmark
- Dancing for the Rockettes
And that's just to name a few...
Our alumni are living proof that when you work with (DE-FI), you don’t just rise—you soar. So go ahead, keep an eye out for the names we told you to remember. We said they’d change the game—and they did.
This isn’t luck. It’s not coincidence. It’s (DE-FI).