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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
(DE-FI) Global INC’s Farm to Fashion Initiative
Fashion Meets Agriculture: Where Fields Become Fabric, and the Heartland Becomes the Future
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.
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. Apply or Get Involved
Image Courtesy of Keba Heitzmen, Innisfree by the Stillwater
The Fiber Forum's Trashion Show Applications Are Live!
Applications are now open for designers interested in showcasing their work in the Trashion Show during (DE-FI) Fashion Week’s Fiber Forum on September 16th in Strategic Partnership with the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. If you're ready to turn trash into couture, submit your application by August 30.