(DE-FI) Global INC
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  • More
    • Home
    • About
      • Our Why
      • Mission and Vision
      • Impact & Audience
      • Alumni Success
      • Annual Reports
      • The Story Behind (DE-FI)
      • Meet The Team
      • Testimonials & Reviews
      • Contact Us
    • The House
      • House of (DE-FI)ance
      • Membership
    • Programs
      • Farm to Fashion
      • STEM Atelier
      • Workforce Development
      • The Garment District
      • The Fashion Incubator
      • Youth Fashion Incubator
      • Model Incubator
      • Threads Boutiques
      • Fashion Design School
    • Events
      • Upcoming (DE-FI) Events
      • The Fashion Calendar
      • Fashion Week
      • The Signature Experience
      • Invitation Requests
      • FAQ
    • Press
      • (DE-FI)ance Magazine
      • Press Room
      • Newsletter
      • Blog
      • Videos
    • Engage
      • Ways to Get Involved
      • Become A Partner
      • Our Strategic Partners
      • Fashion Directory
      • Vetted Industry Resources
      • The Art of (DE-FI)ance
      • Style Boss Honors
      • The (DE-FI) Guild Honors
      • (DE-FI) Gives Back
(DE-FI) Global INC
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Why
    • Mission and Vision
    • Impact & Audience
    • Alumni Success
    • Annual Reports
    • The Story Behind (DE-FI)
    • Meet The Team
    • Testimonials & Reviews
    • Contact Us
  • The House
    • House of (DE-FI)ance
    • Membership
  • Programs
    • Farm to Fashion
    • STEM Atelier
    • Workforce Development
    • The Garment District
    • The Fashion Incubator
    • Youth Fashion Incubator
    • Model Incubator
    • Threads Boutiques
    • Fashion Design School
  • Events
    • Upcoming (DE-FI) Events
    • The Fashion Calendar
    • Fashion Week
    • The Signature Experience
    • Invitation Requests
    • FAQ
  • Press
    • (DE-FI)ance Magazine
    • Press Room
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • Videos
  • Engage
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Become A Partner
    • Our Strategic Partners
    • Fashion Directory
    • Vetted Industry Resources
    • The Art of (DE-FI)ance
    • Style Boss Honors
    • The (DE-FI) Guild Honors
    • (DE-FI) Gives Back

Farm to Fashion | Growing, Sourcing & Crafting Textiles Ohio

Growing the Midwest’s Sustainable Textile Future and Connecting Farmers, Fiber Artists & Designers

Farm to Fashion is (DE-FI)’s initiative that connects agriculture, sustainability, textile production, and design. Rooted in Dayton with impact in Cincinnati and across the Midwest, we grow, source, and craft with intention fostering creative ecosystems at every step.  Our program fosters regenerative agriculture, small-batch manufacturing, and innovative design that supports communities while reducing environmental impact.


More than sustainability, this is a soil-to-studio revolution.  At the House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience, fashion doesn’t begin on a sketchpad, it starts in the soil. (DE-FI)’s Farm to Fashion Initiative is an innovative supply chain disruptor that merges regenerative agriculture, material science, and creative entrepreneurship to build a locally-rooted, globally-relevant fashion pipeline.


We’re cultivating the future literally by connecting farmers, fiber artists, textile scientists, and designers across Southwest Ohio and beyond. Together, we’re transforming farmland into fashion hubs, raw fibers into premium textiles, and untapped potential into scalable systems of production.


Our Process

We partner with Ohio hemp growers, wool and alpaca farmers, and regional fiber artists to transform raw materials into wearable art. Using regenerative farming methods, plant-based dyes, and local manufacturing, we ensure that each step from farm to finished garment supports sustainable fashion in the Midwest.


Why It Matters

Farm to Fashion strengthens the Midwest fashion supply chain by reducing waste, supporting local economies, and offering eco-conscious consumers alternatives to fast fashion.


Why Farm to Fashion? Why Now?


Because the fashion industry is evolving, and the Midwest refuses to be left behind. Rising climate urgency, unstable global supply chains, and rising manufacturing costs have pushed the industry to rethink everything. And while some regions are clinging to broken models, we’re building a new one from the ground up.


Economic development. Cultural correction. Rooted in sustainability. Place-based innovation.


What We're Growing (Literally + Strategically):

  • Mulberry Silk: The U.S. silk market is projected to reach $4 billion by 2029. Montgomery County’s thriving mulberry trees are positioned to anchor a regional silk production pipeline.
  • Industrial Hemp: The Ohio hemp industry is already generating $623 million annually, offering enormous potential in fiber, dyes, and cosmetics.
  • Regional Cotton: Cotton, a $120 billion U.S. industry, is expected to be a viable crop in Ohio by 2050, and we’re preparing now.
  • Sheep & Wool: Ohio produced 500,000 pounds of wool in 2023, valued at approximately $275,000, offering natural, sustainable fiber for garment production.
  • Alpaca Fiber: With one of the nation’s largest alpaca herds, Ohio produces premium fiber valued between $5–$25 per pound, ideal for high-end, locally sourced fashion products.
  • Natural Dyes: The global natural dyes market is currently at $4.8 billion (2024) and is expected to grow to $6.4 billion by 2029.
  • Goat Milk Beauty: The global goat milk cosmetics market was valued at $4.04 billion in 2024, projected to approach $8+ billion by 2033.


Each material isn't just a product , it’s a portal to reinvention, anchored in Midwest soil and scaled through global imagination.


Where the Heartland Threads the Future: The Midwest Advantage


The fashion world is undergoing a seismic shift. Rising costs, unsustainable practices, and supply chain fragility are pushing the industry away from coastal hubs right here in the heartland and Southwest Ohio is perfectly positioned to lead this revolution:

  • Abundant farmland to support natural fiber cultivation
  • A workforce rooted in resilience
  • Affordable space for manufacturing and innovation
  • Legacy techniques and artisans ready to reactivate their craft


(DE-FI) Global INC is not adapting to the industry's needs; we're re(DE-FI)ning them and leading the conversation. We’re bringing together engineers, fiber scientists, fashion designers, farmers, and educators to build a fashion infrasture from scratch. Our programs break down barriers and provide real-time exposure to natural science, textiles, sustainable development, and fashion entrepreneurship while collaborating across disciplines uniting STEM, fashion, agriculture, and artistry to create a model of economic (DE-FI)ance and cultural preservation.


Who We’re Calling In

We’re not just looking for creatives., we’re looking for co-creators of a new economy.


Farmers & Landowners interested in regenerative fiber crops or leasing land for sustainable production.

Artisans & Fiber Artists skilled in weaving, spinning, dyeing, or innovating with traditional techniques.

Scientists & Innovators exploring material science, sustainable chemistry, or agri-tech development.

Cosmetic & Lifestyle Creators eager to source from nature, not factories.

Youth & Volunteers excited to learn, contribute, and shape what comes next.


No gatekeeping or industry snobbery.Just collaborative innovation rooted in equity, education, and environmental impact.


This Is the Midwest’s Moment

Fashion isn’t exclusive to the coasts anymore. With our abundant natural resources, manufacturing potential, and community-based infrastructure, Southwest Ohio is primed to lead the next chapter of fashion’s evolution and we’re not waiting for permission or following trends; we’re planting seeds for the industry after the trends collapse.  


Ready to join the movement transforming Midwest fashion from the ground up? Connect with Farm to Fashion and help us grow the future of sustainable textiles. Apply or Get Involved

Innisfree by the Stillwater

Image Courtesy of Keba Heitzmen, Innisfree by the Stillwater

2025 Fiber Forum

Fiber Forum 2025 | A Behind-the-Scenes Look with Caressa Brown Pt 1

 Go behind the scenes at the 2025 Fiber Forum with (DE-FI) Global INC Owner & Director, Caressa Brown. From greeting guests to connecting with speakers and capturing candid moments, Caressa gives an inside look at the people and conversations that shaped this year’s event.  These behind-the-scenes moments highlight the collaborative spirit, creative energy, and community impact that make the Fiber Forum such a powerful gathering for innovators and changemakers.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation  #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation 

Fiber Forum 2025 | A Behind-the-Scenes Look with Caressa Brown Pt 2

Go behind the scenes at the 2025 Fiber Forum with (DE-FI) Global INC Owner & Director, Caressa Brown. From greeting guests to connecting with speakers and capturing candid moments, Caressa gives an inside look at the people and conversations that shaped this year’s event.  These behind-the-scenes moments highlight the collaborative spirit, creative energy, and community impact that make the Fiber Forum such a powerful gathering for innovators and changemakers. The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation  #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation 

Inside the Cincinnati Recycle & Reuse Hub | Jenny Brewer at the 2025 Fiber Forum

At the 2025 Fiber Forum Presented by the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, leaders in sustainable textiles explored the future of fashion through farming and fiber systems. Hear insights from TJ Richardson (Ohio Hemp Company), Amber Ostaszewski (Rustbelt Fibershed), and Ashley Kubley (University of Cincinnati DAAP) as they discuss hemp, regenerative practices, and closing the textile loop for a more sustainable industry. This session highlights the critical intersection of agriculture, innovation, and design.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation  #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation 

Grounded Fibers & The Textile Loop | Fiber Forum 2025 Panel Discussion Pt 1

At the 2025 Fiber Forum Presented by the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, leaders in sustainable textiles explored the future of fashion through farming and fiber systems. Hear insights from TJ Richardson (Ohio Hemp Company), Amber Ostaszewski (Rustbelt Fibershed), and Ashley Kubley (University of Cincinnati DAAP) as they discuss hemp, regenerative practices, and closing the textile loop for a more sustainable industry. This session highlights the critical intersection of agriculture, innovation, and design.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation  #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation 

Grounded Fibers & The Textile Loop | Fiber Forum 2025 Panel Discussion Pt 2

At the 2025 Fiber Forum Presented by the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, leaders in sustainable textiles explored the future of fashion through farming and fiber systems. Hear insights from TJ Richardson (Ohio Hemp Company), Amber Ostaszewski (Rustbelt Fibershed), and Ashley Kubley (University of Cincinnati DAAP) as they discuss hemp, regenerative practices, and closing the textile loop for a more sustainable industry. This session highlights the critical intersection of agriculture, innovation, and design.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation  #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation 

Activating Collaboration | Karley Hasselfeld & Final Strike’s Engaged Audience Exercise

 Karley Hasselfeld, Vice President of Final Strike Collaborative, introduces a hands-on group exercise designed not just for this event but to spark new ideas, partnerships, and action in the fiber and creative space. Karley walks the audience through the exercise, discusses the intentions behind it, and points the way toward how collaborative momentum can carry beyond the forum walls.  Alongside the exercise, she shares her journey, role, and vision for Final Strike Collaborative an organization dedicated to transforming waste practices in the entertainment industry by turning salvaged materials into new possibilities.  Learn how community, creativity, and sustainable thinking converge to build a more equitable and circular creative economy.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation #FinalStrikeCollaborative #Sustainability #CreativeReuse #Collaboration #CircularDesign 

2025 Fiber Forum: From Ideas to Impact: Building Local Manufacturing & Maker Economies Pt 1

 April Culbreath (A.D. Culbreath Collection), Alisa Smith (Baraza Impact Design Studio), and Shailah Maynard (Sew Valley) discuss Ideas to Impact: Building Local Manufacturing & Maker Economies. In this session, they share their journeys, challenges, and strategies for nurturing creative industries right in their communities.  April Culbreath brings her hands-on design and production perspective from her work at Ad Culbreath Collection.  Alisa Smith represents Baraza Impact Design Studio, a consultancy focused on strategic innovation, community-centered design, and bridging mission-driven organizations with sustainable growth.  Shailah Maynard leads Sew Valley, a zero-waste garment factory, sample room, and incubator space in Cincinnati, supporting designers and entrepreneurs with space, equipment, and education to bring their work to market.  Together, they explore how to translate ideas into actionable systems, build infrastructure for creative makers, and strengthen local economies rooted in manufacturing, sustainability, and collaboration.  Highlights include:  Models for scaling local production  Overcoming barriers in materials, labor, and market access  The role of collaboration, shared resources, and mission-driven design  Stories of transformation from concept to real, community-rooted impact   Whether you're a maker, designer, community organizer, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers insight into building ecosystems that empower local creativity.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation #FinalStrikeCollaborative #CreativeReuse #Collaboration #CircularDesign #MakerEconomies #LocalManufacturing #SewValley #BarazaImpact #AdCulbreath #IdeasToImpact #SustainableDesign 

2025 Fiber Forum: From Ideas to Impact: Building Local Manufacturing & Maker Economies Pt 2

 April Culbreath (A.D. Culbreath Collection), Alisa Smith (Baraza Impact Design Studio), and Shailah Maynard (Sew Valley) discuss Ideas to Impact: Building Local Manufacturing & Maker Economies. In this session, they share their journeys, challenges, and strategies for nurturing creative industries right in their communities.  April Culbreath brings her hands-on design and production perspective from her work at Ad Culbreath Collection.  Alisa Smith represents Baraza Impact Design Studio, a consultancy focused on strategic innovation, community-centered design, and bridging mission-driven organizations with sustainable growth.  Shailah Maynard leads Sew Valley, a zero-waste garment factory, sample room, and incubator space in Cincinnati, supporting designers and entrepreneurs with space, equipment, and education to bring their work to market.  Together, they explore how to translate ideas into actionable systems, build infrastructure for creative makers, and strengthen local economies rooted in manufacturing, sustainability, and collaboration.  Highlights include:  Models for scaling local production  Overcoming barriers in materials, labor, and market access  The role of collaboration, shared resources, and mission-driven design  Stories of transformation from concept to real, community-rooted impact   Whether you're a maker, designer, community organizer, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers insight into building ecosystems that empower local creativity.  The Emcee, Sherwood McVeigh, Goodwill Industries.  The Fiber Forum served as the kickoff event for the 2025 (DE-FI) Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farm to Fashion initiative.  #CincinnatiRecycleReuseHub #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberForum #FarmToFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #FiberInnovation #FinalStrikeCollaborative #CreativeReuse #Collaboration #CircularDesign #MakerEconomies #LocalManufacturing #SewValley #BarazaImpact #AdCulbreath #IdeasToImpact #SustainableDesign  

Sustainability on the Runway | Trashion Show at the Fiber Forum

The Trashion Show closed out the 2025 Fiber Forum with creativity, innovation, and purpose. Designers took the challenge of transforming discarded materials into striking wearable art, showcasing how fashion can thrive at the intersection of sustainability and imagination.  Every piece on the runway was crafted from recycled, reused, or repurposed items that would typically be thrown away, proving that waste can become wonder when guided by vision and skill. The show not only celebrated design but also sparked conversations around responsibility, circularity, and the future of fashion.  The Fiber Forum served as a kickoff event for the 2025 D5 Fashion Week and a sneak peek into our Farmer Fashion Initiative.  #TrashionShow #FiberForum #SustainableFashion #CircularDesign #RecycledFashion #DEFIFashionWeek 

2025 OSU Farm to Fashion | The Ohio Hemp Company

(DE-FI) Global INC had the honor of being invited to the Ohio State University Farm to Fashion Initiative, an exclusive, invitation-only event bringing together leaders in fashion, fiber, and sustainability.  Our friends at the Ohio Hemp Company delivered an engaging presentation on the history of hemp in the textile industry and the groundbreaking work they are doing today to build sustainable pathways for the future.  From its roots in traditional fiber production to its potential as a modern, regenerative material, hemp continues to play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable fashion industry.  This video highlights the knowledge shared at Farm to Fashion and underscores why collaborations like these are essential to advancing the conversation on fashion, fiber, and the circular economy.  #FarmToFashion #OhioHempCompany #SustainableFashion #DEFIFashionWeek #FiberInnovation #Textiles 

2025 OSU Farm to Fashion | Bridgeforth Farms-The Legacy of Cotton

 At the Ohio State University Farm to Fashion Initiative, we had the privilege of hearing from the Bridgeforth family, a fifth-generation African-American-owned farm specializing in cotton. Their legacy in cotton farming is not only a story of heritage and resilience, but also of innovation and sustainability in today’s textile industry.  The Bridgeforth family supplies cotton directly to Victoria’s Secret, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, connecting local agriculture to one of the world’s most recognized fashion brands. Their work underscores the vital role of Black farmers in the global supply chain and highlights how deep-rooted farming traditions continue to shape the future of fashion.  This conversation shines a light on the intersection of history, community, and industry impact, reminding us that every garment begins with the growers who cultivate its raw materials.  #FarmToFashion #BridgeforthFamily #CottonFarming #SustainableFashion #AfricanAmericanFarmers #VictoriaSecret 

Grow what you know, wisdom from Mama O!

 At Jefferson Township’s inaugural Career & College Signing Day, we had the honor of welcoming Mama O from Edgemont Solar Gardens, a powerhouse of wisdom, heart, and lived experience.  In this clip, Mama O speaks directly to our kids about resilience, self-sufficiency, and the many unexpected career paths that exist in agriculture and sustainability.  From growing your own food to growing your purpose, Mama O reminded us all that the seeds we plant today shape the future we build tomorrow.  #CareerAndCollegeSigningDay #MamaO #JeffersonStrong #GrowWithUs #FutureInFocus #FarmToFashion 

Farm to Fashion | (DE-FI) Global INC – Midwest Fashion

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Fashion Week of Cincinnati...You're on Deck!

The inaugural Fashion Week of Cincinnati is here and we’re doing things differently. This isn’t a traditional runway-heavy fashion week. This is the foundational year that's taking a bold, unorthodox step toward amplifying Cincinnati’s incredible fashion talent and laying the groundwork for what’s to come.

We’re building bridges, elevating voices, and weaving together the fabric of the industry one designer, collaboration, and one moment at a time.

Invitation requests are now open. Space is limited, and this is where it all begins.

Be part of the foundation.  

Be Part of Fashion Week