580 Calumet Ln, Dayton, OH 45417

The Experience
Our Work
Fashion Pipeline
Get Involved
Media
Calendar and Events
More

The Experience
Our Work
Fashion Pipeline
Get Involved
Media
Calendar and Events

"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...

"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie..."Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie..."Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie..."Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...

Review Our Year-by-Year Impact

Our Annual Reports – Fashion Impact in Dayton & Cincinnati

Transparency fuels trust. Our annual reports chronicle the evolving story of Midwest fashion innovation, from humble beginnings to community transformations in Dayton and Cincinnati. Whether you want to see metrics, milestones, or the people behind the progress building a fashion pipeline from the ground up; it's here.

Find out more

2013: Explore Our Growth in Dayton & Cincinnati

Building the Midwest Fashion Pipeline Beginning in Dayton

Chronicle foundational milestones: the original Dayton Fashion Incubator launch, model development, and early signature runway showcases.

Download PDF

2014: Expanding Dayton’s Fashion Reach to National Platforms

From Local Runways to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

This report highlights how (DE‑FI) laid the foundation for a regional fashion ecosystem: launching immersive events like A Taste of (DE‑FĪ)ance and First Flight Now Fashion, hosting sold-out runway shows, mentorship sessions, and even a Habitat for Humanity build, all while having a presence at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Download PDF

2015: Growing Brand and Media Presence in Dayton Fashion

Raising Visibility for Midwest Designers & Creatives

This year showcases how (DE‑FI) gained local recognition through media features such as Meet… Caressa Brown in The Clarion, highlighting continued growth in branding, regional visibility, and impact across Dayton and emerging fashion communities.

Download PDF

2016: Launching the Dayton Sewing Collaborative

Strengthening Ohio’s Garment Infrastructure

The 2016 report details how (DE‑FI) helped launch and support the Dayton Sewing Collaborative, positioning itself as a key incubator for building garment infrastructure in Southwest Ohio and extending local manufacturing capabilities.

Download PDF

2017: Expanding Fashion Training Across Dayton & Cincinnati

Investing in Workforce Development & Fashion Education

This edition reinforces (DE‑FI)’s leadership in building regional fashion infrastructure, workforce development, and educational programming continuing to drive momentum and community engagement across Dayton and Cincinnati.

Download PDF

2018: Celebrating (DE-FI)’s Regional Impact and Honors

Recognition and Influence in Midwest Fashion Leadership

Highlights include creative recognition, with Caressa L. Brown being featured as Daytonian of the Week, underscoring (DE‑FI)’s growing influence and local positioning as a catalyst for fashion innovation in the Midwest.

Download PDF

2019: Planning Dayton’s Fashion Co-Working & Incubator Space

Laying the Foundation for the House of (DE-FI)ance

(DE‑FI)’s 2019 report reflects on its community planning work for launching the House of (DE‑FĪ)ance co-working experience, a pivotal moment that signifies deepening engagement in design coworking, regional infrastructure, and creative space-building in Dayton.

Download PDF

2020-2021: Pandemic-Era Fashion Innovation in the Midwest

Innovation & Adaptation in a Changing Fashion Landscape

In the wake of the pandemic, (DE-FI) pivoted to sustain and grow the Midwest fashion pipeline and expanding virtual education and model training experiences in Dayton and Cincinnati. The report highlights creative adaptability, community support initiatives, and strategic groundwork for future fashion innovation in the Midwest region.

Download PDF

2022-2023: Fashion Week of Cincinnati & Farm to Fashion

Reviving Runways & Expanding Sustainable Fashion in Ohio

This report captures a period of major expansion, with the revival of Dayton Fashion Week, the debut of Fashion Week of Cincinnati, and deeper integration of sustainable practices through Farm to Fashion and micro-manufacturing initiatives. It showcases (DE-FI)’s growing impact on Midwest designers, from incubator graduates reaching national runways to workforce programs creating tangible economic opportunities in Ohio’s fashion sector. Highlighting our expanded programming across Dayton and Cincinnati, STEM-integrated workshops, alumni runway placements, and sustainable fashion developments.

Download PDF

Community Guidlines
Designers and Models
Volunteers
Boutique Support & Buyers
Product Testers
Press & Media Passes
Resources
Business Professionals

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

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.

Trashion Designer Submission