Open to aspiring, emerging and established designers, the Designer Talk Series is open to individuals ages 18 & better, and consists of two Peer Groups:
Designer Talk I ages 18-26
Designer Talk II, ages 27 & better
A Generation of (DE-FI)ance Fashion is a hands-on Fashion opportunity that introduces the creative and business side of the fashion industry and gives participants real-world application opportunities and consists of two Peer Groups:
A Generation of (DE-FI)ance Jr. ages 6-11
A Generation of (DE-FI)ance Sr. ages 12-17
The Designer Talk Series
The need for the two different Designer Talk peer groups is simple. The vast majority of the designers that come to us are in their mid-30's and better, it's their second chance at pursuing their dreams. With that comes a lot of doubt and uncertainty because now they have full time careers/jobs, families to support, mortgages, etc. which makes it really hard for most to give up the security of a guaranteed check from your regular 9-5/career resulting in designers in the Designer Talk II age ranges to move differently and at a different pace in the incubator than those in Designer Talk I.
What sets our fashion incubator a part from others is that our program has proven results that supports and nurtures aspiring, emerging, and established fashion designers and their brands from the start, through rapid growth, and eventual exit of the incubator by providing resources, work space, mentoring, and workshops to help grow your careers in fashion.
Aspiring, emerging, and established designers you have the unique opportunity to strengthen your business skills in a real time curriculum taught by industry professionals! With a focus on business skills that range from business planning, marketing plans, cut & sew, retail math and social media. Our Designer Talk Series also has real time fashion challenges wrapped throughout the curriculum. Our team is dedicated to providing resources, education and professional development to the fashion community that will enhance and support a thriving and sustainable apparel and sewn products industry in the Midwest via Dayton Threads and Dayton Fashion Week.
A Generation of (DE-FI)ance
This peer group was developed because our biggest success stories started with us when they were about 14 or 15 years old. When we held our first kids fashion camp, the campers ranged from ages 7-17; while they got along just fine, the kids in the 7-10 range would at times burst into Barney sing-a-longs and the older kids...while they didn't say anything, we saw a need to separate the groups at certain points to keep the creative juices flowing and growing while allowing the younger kids to be kids.
Participants will have an opportunity to:
- Support Dayton Fashion Week and learn how to produce a Runway Show.
- Work with fashion designers in the Designer Incubator and learn how to spin, knit and sew.
- Learn the business of fashion, collaborate with others to learn the art of Collabetive Collabetation.
- Create their own fashion line, cast models, and produce their own fashion show.
- Engage in community outreach.
- Be empowered to use their voice using creative outlets.
By the end of the experience, participants will have an understanding of the various aspects of the fashion industry including event planning, fashion design and styling, graphic design, modeling, photography, project management, and writing. They will be empowered and equipped with the tools needed to take them to the next level.
Open to students ages 6-17, our youth incubator taps into your youth's natural desire to express themselves through clothing in a fun and stimulating environment that encourages creative visioning and self-expression. This experience will allow your child to explore the various careers that the fashion industry has to offer in 3 modules:
1) Creative for those interested in becoming fashion designers.
2) The Business of Fashion for those interested in law, marketing, journalism, business management, etc.
3) Production for those interested set design, photography, event planning, etc.
Your child will:
- Develop unique creative voices to reflect interest and needs.
- Build confidence and independence to achieve greatness.
- Develop an appreciation of inspiration behind clothing from around the world.
- Learn and develop diverse skills needed for careers in the fashion industry from design to business.
- Create their own style by designing and making their own clothes.
- Build their resume with the leadership and business skills that they will develop.
- Publish their own magazine.
- Grow, laugh, network, have fun, make our community a better place to live.
The Designer Talk Series and A Generation of (DE-FI)ance are a monthly hybrid experience that includes:
- Educational and professional development including webinars, panel discussions, and masterclasses via the CFDA Connects.
- Editorial and social media support and exposure via (DE-FI) Global INC's digital platform.
- NYFW Runway 360 which is CFDA branded content and digital showroom, along with opportunity for sales via virtual showroom.
- Field trips to NYFW and other regional fashion weeks (additional expenses apply)
- Introductions to other regional fashion organizations, retailers, small batch manufacturers, and production specialists.
- Participation in (DE-FI) events with an opportunity to headline Dayton Fashion Week.
- Sustainability/Supply Chain guidance and support via CFDA Connects.
- Pipeline to CFDA Membership.
- Opportunity to be mentored directly by the CFDA.
- Free and/or discounted access to the House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience's monthly in-person Build-A-Brand Experience and Brain Dayton team building experience.
- Discounted skill development classes eg sewing classes, CLO design software, leadership development, etc. via the House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience.
- Discounted admission to all guest speaker events.
- Participation in (DE-FI) Designer Events, i.e. pop-up shops, runway shows, etc.
- A supportive community with opportunities to serve in leadership roles within (DE-FI).
- Access to members of the Dreamforce.
- Networking opportunities for team building.
- Usage rights to (DE-FI) Global INC and subsidiaries logo for marketing and promotional purposes.
- Monthly one-on-one meetings with the Director of Programming no less than one hour per meeting.
- Fee $ 99/month or $350/quarter per person (Do not allow financial concerns deter you from pursuing your dreams, financial support may be available via The Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund).
- If you already have a team in place, contact us for a team rate.
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