The next Model Incubator launches in March 2026. Click here to request your invitation.

The Fashion Industry can be a pretty tough business; looks fade, styles  change, and let's face it, it can be a here today and gone today  business. Can you (DE-FI)ne who you are if you were to lose everything  today be it looks, career, or friends??  It takes more than just a pretty face to survive this industry, there  are a lot of predators and if you do not have a solid foundation, it's  easy to fall prey. During our Free Model Bootcamp in March as a part of  (DE-FI) Fashion Week we brought in Speaker Marletae Sampson, to speak  with our models about the Beauty Within. Mrs. Sampson is also a Probation Officer and Sex Offender Specialist for Montgomery County  Juvenile Courts. Check out some footage of Marletae's story and words of wisdom that she  shared with our #AspiringModels. #BeyondFashion #ItTakesAVillage #BeautyStartsOnTheInside #WhatDoYouDEFI #FirstFlightNowFashion 

9 times out of 10, when you hear the words #ModelBootcamp you think  you're going to get tips on ripping the runway, hair and makeup, as well  as striking the perfect pose. During (DE-FI) Fashion Week we hosted a  Free Model Bootcamp and while we did touch on the obvious topics, here  at the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC, we focus on the  industry as a whole including the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Our goal is to prepare you for success, and success often starts with  the your support system. So who better to bring in and speak with  aspiring models about having support systems in place than our very own  Director of Community Outreach Khadijah Ali. Khadijah also serves the  Director of our official non-profit, the Circle of Vision Keeper's  Re-Entry and Recovery Program and manages two Sober Houses for women.  Check out a few tips that Khadijah shared during our Free Model  Bootcamp. #BeyondFashion #ItTakesAVillage #TheCompanyYouKeep #EvaluateYourCircle #WhoIsInYourSupportSystem #WhatDoYouDEFI #FirstFlightNowFashion 

Every year, we take our models on an unforgettable pilgrimage to Chicago, visiting some of the top agencies in the  industry. Our first stop: Wilhelmina. This experience is designed to prepare and inspire our models for the next step in their careers.

While most rise to the occasion, not everyone fully embraces the moment—some choose sightseeing over seizing their dreams. The iconic silver bean may  be tempting, but nothing compares to the opportunity to make an impression with the industry's best. Follow our journey and see what it  takes to defy expectations and chase greatness.

In the high-stakes world of agency visits, time is  everything—especially when open call windows are tight. During one of our annual trips to Chicago, Caressa faced an unexpected challenge: some  models had gone sightseeing without her knowledge, thanks to a chaperoning parent’s decision.

While juggling the frustration of the situation and the pressure to ensure  our shorter models made it to their open call on time, Caressa kept her  composure—live and on camera. Agencies know (DE-FI)ance brings quality talent, often stretching the rules for us, but every second still  counts. This moment showcases the poise and determination it takes to  lead with grace, even when the unexpected happens.

Let’s be real—Caressa was pissed. When she realized a group of models had gone sightseeing instead of attending agency visits, potentially damaging (DE-FI)’s reputation and wasting valuable time, it took every ounce of restraint to stay classy. Smacking her lips and biting back frustration, she kept her composure, but the desire to throat punch someone was very real.

For those who committed to every visit, the results spoke for themselves.  As for the ones who opted for tourism? Their careers stalled before they  even started. Lesson learned: future agency trips came with a clear rule—miss a visit, and you’re left in Chicago to find your way home. At (DE-FI), there’s no room for foolishness when building a legacy.

After a frustrating day of missteps and lies—complete with a parental chaperone spinning tales about being sick and hiding the truth about sightseeing models—Caressa finally found a moment to cool off in the van with some much-needed air conditioning. But not before calling out the chaos and the models holding up the trip.

Despite the challenges, the models who stayed the course and made it to every agency visit reflected on their hard-fought journey. They pushed through pain, frustration, and heels to seize an experience that kept their  dreams alive. These moments (DE-FI)ne resilience and determination, proving they’re ready to fight for their place in the industry.