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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
First Flight, Now Fashion: Bold Beginnings, Limitless Impact
Welcome to Our FAQ: Your Front Row to Transparency and Transformation. This is the engine behind our revolution. We've created the runway for thousands of careers to soar and have shaken up regional fashion in the process. Ready to see how we’ve done it?
#WhatDoYouDEFI
About (DE-FI) Global INC
Founded in 2013, (DE-FI) is a fashion incubator and entrepreneurial ecosystem headquartered in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. We operate a multi-layered pipeline that supports emerging designers, models, makers, and creative entrepreneurs from concept to completion. Our mission is to cultivate independent fashion rooted in (DE-FI)ance, building careers, developing infrastructure, and reshaping the fashion industry from the Midwest out.
In 2022, following a CFDA Connects seminar with fashion attorney Douglas Hand, we updated our legal structure and strategic plan. Today, (DE-FI) Global INC serves as the parent organization for a network of subsidiaries and programs that function collectively to incubate talent, promote sustainability, and drive regional economic growth. Though no longer officially affiliated with the Council of Fashion Designers of America CFDA, we maintain active relationships with Steven Kolb (CEO, CFDA), Lisa Smilor (EVP, CFDA), Elliot Carlyle (Currently Global and CFDA Consultant), and Shawn Pean (June79, former President of Balmain USA, form Vice President of Valentino Wholesale, and CFDA Member), ensuring that our work aligns with national standards and global industry needs.
Our Structure
- Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC (2012): Administrative and operational foundation of the brand.
- The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator (2023): (Coming Soon) Expands (DE-FI)’s infrastructure into Cincinnati.
- The Fashion Incubator of Dayton (2025): (Coming soon) A post-secondary institution focused on interdisciplinary fashion education, develops designer business acumen, production readiness, and brand sustainability.
- The House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience (2017): A physical hub for brand-building, workshops, and workforce development.
Our Core Programs
- Cincinnati Threads & Dayton Threads Boutiques (2017): Retail platforms connecting consumers to incubator talent.
- (DE-FI)ance Magazine (2013): Editorial platform amplifying underrepresented talent and fashion voices.
- Farm to Fashion (2024): Regional supply chain rooted in regenerative agriculture and sustainability.
- STEM Atelier (2024): Fashion meets technology with hands-on, career-focused development for students and professionals.
- Dayton Garment & Textile District (2017): Supports micro-manufacturing, alterations, and fiber production tied to our Farm to Fashion initiative.
- A Generation of (DE-FI)ance (2014): Youth-led industry immersion through fashion entrepreneurship and exploration.
- (DE-FI) Model Incubator (2013): Talent development for fashion models grounded in ethics, professionalism, and longevity.
- Fashion Week of Cincinnati (2023) & Dayton Fashion Week (2012): Our capstone events focused on showcasing talent and connecting creators with buyers, mentors, and media.
At (DE-FI), we don’t just nurture talent, we build fashion futures from the inside out. From fiber to runway to retail, we're transforming the fashion landscape in real time, centered in the Midwest, built for the world.
At (DE-FI), we get it: the fashion industry isn’t all glitz and glam. It’s tough, unpredictable, and overwhelming, especially when you’re starting out without a support system. That’s why our approach starts where others don’t, by building your foundation.
Before diving into the creative and business sides of fashion, we focus on equipping you with the tools to navigate the not-so-pretty side of the industry. Success in fashion takes more than talent and good looks; it requires resilience, self-awareness, and preparation.
In our incubators, we work with you to develop and fine-tune the following key areas:
- Inner beauty: Confidence that starts from within.
- Knowing your worth: Understanding your value and standing firm.
- Goal setting: Crafting a roadmap to success.
- Support systems: Building your network of allies and mentors.
- Coping with rejection: Turning “no” into a steppingstone.
- Managing stress: Staying level-headed in high-pressure environments.
- Proper nutrition, health, and wellness: Keeping your mind and body in peak form.
- Work-life balance: Thriving in your career without burning out.
Our unorthodox yet intentional approach ensures that when you step into the world of fashion, you’re ready to face it head-on. With (DE-FI), you’re not just joining an incubator—you’re gaining a community that has your back every step of the way.
Please note that (DE-FI)'s designer incubator is NOT an accelerator program. Not only do we not do fast fashion, we also do not rush the development of our talent either, many of whom only came to us with nothing more than a dream. This is a real-time, 2.5-year process designed to nurture raw talent and transform them into industry professionals.
Stage 1: Foundation Building (6 months)
Designers focus on refining goals, conducting personal assessments, and building foundational skills. This introspective stage pushes them out of their comfort zones and includes learning storytelling, blogging, and contributing to the (PARENTHETICALLY) Speaking newsletter.
Stage 2: Strategic Planning (3 months)
Designers define their target market, create budgets, plan collections, and develop marketing strategies. This stage introduces partnerships, investor connections, and initial production of their designs.
Stage 3: Team Building (6 months)
Designers activate the House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience for collaboration with photographers, models, stylists, writers, and more. The focus is on forming strong teams and brands while fostering business-to-business and customer relationships.
Stage 4: Behind the Scenes (3 months)
Designers’ lines are in full production, and they begin testing target markets through Cincinnati and Dayton Threads. They'll host casting calls, plan editorial shoots for (DE-FI) Magazine, and participate in events like A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance's Shoot Your Shot Pitch Competition to headline Dayton Fashion Week or Fashion Week of Cincinnati.
Stage 5: The Blitz (1 Year)
It’s showtime, folks! Everything the designers have worked for is put to the test in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Teams go all-in to prove they’re industry ready. Designers have already pitched their lines during the Shoot Your Shot Pitch Competition to secure a spot headlining either Dayton Fashion Week or Fashion Week of Cincinnati. After that, it’s a full-court press to prepare for the runway. The countdown to the runway is on. Designers and their teams finalize their collections and prepare to showcase their work on the biggest stage of their careers.
Stage 6: Continued Professional Development and Career Support System (Ongoing)
If you haven’t noticed, we don’t just focus on the runway. Yes, runway shows can be thrilling, but the real question is, what happens next? How do designers manage and scale their growth to meet customer demand? Stage 7 ensures that designers have access to the resources and support they need to thrive long after the spotlight fades.
(DE-FI) is the only fashion incubator developing talent from the ground up with a proven track record. It’s more than a process, it’s an opportunity to transform dreams into reality.
When we launched the House of (DE-FI)ance in March 2021 and became a founding member of the CFDA Connects program after that year, we made it our mission to be intentional with our audience and attendees. The goal is simple: by the end of the incubator process, our talent will be industry ready.
In the early days of the House of (DE-FI)ance, we found ourselves distracted by individuals who were curious hobbyists, people who wanted to explore sewing or attend workshops for fun but who weren’t seriously pursuing a career in the fashion industry. While these activities are related to fashion, they didn’t align with our mission to develop professional designers and industry leaders. Somewhere along the way, we lost focus on our base: the aspiring and emerging talent who have dreamed of becoming fashion designers. We were catering to a broader audience than we ever intended, planning sewing classes and general workshops, and ultimately straying from our core purpose, and most of that was due to our very public location, inside of a mall.
To get back on track, we adopted an invitation-only model, aligning with the practices of major fashion weeks like New York, Paris, and Milan, which are predominantly invitation-based. While some designers, like Christian Siriano, allow ticket sales, entry to his shows costs thousands of dollars to ensure his audience can support his brand by purchasing his designs.
Similarly, (DE-FI)'s invite-only approach ensures our events are filled with:
- Key industry professionals who can elevate and support our talent.
- Aspiring and emerging talent genuinely interested in pursuing a fashion career.
(DE-FI) operates in a niche market, and we’re not trying to appeal to everyone. That’s intentional. Our mission is to serve those truly dedicated to fashion as a profession, not just as an interest or hobby.
That doesn’t mean we’ve completely closed the doors to fashion enthusiasts. We reserve a limited number of invites for those who love fashion and want to experience the industry’s glitz and glamour firsthand.
Every (DE-FI) event is designed as a networking opportunity, connecting aspiring, emerging, and established fashion professionals. Invited guests can purchase tickets, but only if they’ve requested and received an invite.
It’s about more than exclusivity; it’s about ensuring every moment aligns with our mission and creates spaces where meaningful connections and opportunities thrive.
We won’t dodge the truth; fashion is one of the most harmful industries on the planet. From chemical pollution to unethical labor practices, it’s a system built on waste and exploitation. But that’s exactly why we’re here...to disrupt it.
At (DE-FI) Global INC, we're not interested in repeating the mistakes of traditional fashion manufacturing. We’re reimagining the industry from the ground up, rooted in sustainability, regional resilience, and agricultural integrity.
Back in 2012, when we first envisioned bringing fashion manufacturing to Dayton, the idea centered around revitalizing abandoned industrial sites like former GM and Delphi plants. But as we’ve grown, and as our region’s needs and values have come into sharper focus, so has our approach.
Today, our vision is about regenerative fashion. That means:
- Partnering with organizations like the Rust Belt Fibershed, the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, Sew Valley to support circular systems and ethical production.
- Launching our Farm to Fashion Initiative to grow, process, and produce sustainable fibers locally like hemp, cotton, and wool, without outsourcing or exploitation.
- Promoting the use of natural dyes and low-impact techniques through programs led by experts in the science of fiber.
- Training the next generation through our STEM Atelier, which prepares students for careers in green manufacturing, agricultural technology, and sustainable design.
- Hosting events like the Fiber Forum to convene farmers, makers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in building a cleaner, smarter fashion infrastructure.
We’re not here to pave over farmland or pollute our soil. We’re here to steward the land, breathe new life into regional industries, and prove that fashion can be both beautiful and ethical. Our goal isn’t just to produce clothes, it’s to cultivate solutions that respect people, land, and legacy.
Fashion is broken. We’re not denying that. But here in Dayton, we’re growing something different, and this time, it’s built to last.
(DE-FI) is for the driven, not the dabblers' serious careers, not casual pastimes.
This is business, and if you know nothing else about us, know this: we are about our business. Contracts are not just paperwork, they are the backbone of professionalism, clarity, and protection for everyone involved. Here's why agreements are non-negotiable when working with (DE-FI) Global INC:
- Mutual Protection: Contracts ensure that both your interests and ours are protected. They clearly outline expectations, deliverables, and commitments on both sides, eliminating confusion or misunderstandings.
- Transparency: We don't just hand you a contract and expect you to sign it on the spot. On this very website, we’re telling you upfront that there will be agreements in place.
- Advance Review: Agreements are sent to you a full week before orientation to allow for review. During orientation, we walk through the agreements verbatim to ensure everything is clear. Afterward, you’ll have an additional two weeks to consider, negotiate, or request changes.
- Industry Standards: The fashion industry generates over $2 trillion annually. Success at this level doesn’t happen without agreements in place. Every agency, talent representative, and reputable organization requires contracts. (DE-FI) is no different.
- Proven Success: Everyone who has come through our incubator or walked our runways has signed an agreement—and the results speak for themselves. Compare that to organizations that don’t require contracts and ask them about their success rates.
If an organization doesn’t use contracts, that’s their choice—but contracts are non-negotiable for us. They are not personal—they’re business. Because at (DE-FI), we don’t just create opportunities; we create results. Point blank, period.
Model Submissions: Open Year-Round
At (DE-FI), we’re always on the lookout for fresh talent to join our (DE-FI) Models Incubator or to walk in our Signature Experiences.
Here’s how it works:
- If we’re interested in adding you to our model incubator, we’ll reach out via email with the next steps.
- If not, don’t worry, your name and images will remain in our database for future selection by designers participating in our Signature Experience like Fashion Week of Cincinnati, Dayton Fashion Week, (DE-FI) Fashion Week, and A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance.
- When our designers complete the incubator process and start casting, they’ll handpick models from our database. Selected models will receive exclusive, private invites to attend casting calls.
- Participation in an incubator-related event does not mean you are signed to the (DE-FI) Model Incubator. Each opportunity is separate.
If you applied to participate in a (DE-FI) produced event ir experience, keep an eye on your email for details about in-person castings.
Absolutely! We’re the gold standard. To have (DE-FI) on your résumé signals to the industry that you’re ready to conquer. We’ve built a rock-solid reputation through the unparalleled success of our models who've participated in incubator events, earning respect from agencies worldwide.
Your Gateway to Opportunity
Submissions are accepted year-round for both the (DE-FI) Models Incubator and our Signature Experiences.
Here’s the deal:
- If you're selected to participate as a model, we'll reach out with next steps.
- If not, you stay in our database for designers to cast you in future shows.
When our incubator designers are ready to launch their collections, they handpick models from our database, and we send exclusive private invitations to casting calls.
Powerful Partnerships
Our events don’t just launch careers, they attract major agencies from New York, Miami, Chicago, and L.A. These agencies don’t just watch, they collaborate, scout, and sign models they meet through (DE-FI). Whether you’re signed or participating in an incubator event, (DE-FI) puts you in front of the decision-makers who matter.
The (DE-FI) Model Experience
We’re here to teach you the industry from the ground up. (DE-FI) provides the education, exposure, and empowerment to take your career to the next level. We don't provide opportunities; we provide career advancement.
Ready to Take Off?
(DE-FI) Global INC proudly organizes both Dayton Fashion Week and Fashion Week of Cincinnati, however, we firmly believe in fostering a thriving, inclusive fashion community. Everyone is welcomed to apply and produce their own events, regardless of affiliation with (DE-FI). If you are in good standing with (DE-FI) Global INC and our Strategic Partners, then this is your stage and your vision, let’s make it happen.
From Concept to Catwalk: The 6-Stage Incubator Journey
The Fashion Incubator of Dayton guides designers through a rigorous, multi-stage journey over 2.5 years. Each phase builds entrepreneurial readiness, creative excellence, and retail sustainability.
Stage 4: Behind the Scenes includes A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance is a signature milestone event is the designers’ first public reveal, a curated, behind-the-scenes experience that merges fashion, strategy, and storytelling. Far more than a fashion show, it’s a designer’s soft launch, a weekend where:
- Collections are introduced through brand storytelling
- Mini-presentations and lookbook development take center stage
- Designers pitch their business models, sourcing plans, and growth strategies to a curated network of fashion professionals, buyers, and media
- Feedback from strategic partners, collaborators, and retail experts helps refine production and positioning ahead of Fashion Week
A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance is where preparation meets pressure with the goal of ensuring that by the time a designer hits the main runway, they are retail-ready, brand-aligned, and investor-aware.
Fashion Week is the Incubator's Capstone Moment
Once designers pass the benchmarks of A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance, they advance to Dayton Fashion Week or Fashion Week of Cincinnati. These aren’t just runway shows, they’re high-profile industry showcases rooted in measurable development. Here:
- Designers unveil fully realized collections
- Strategic matchmaking with retail buyers, boutiques, and media takes place
- Collections are reviewed not just for aesthetics, but for scalability, quality, and market fit
In short, A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance is the proving ground;Fashion Week is the celebration. One prepares designers for scrutiny. The other places them on center stage.
Together, they represent the bridge between aspiration and accomplishment in the (DE-FI) incubator pipeline.
(DE-FI) Global INC’s fashion pipeline is intentionally layered, designed to meet creatives where they are, provide them with structure and support, and move them from raw concept to retail success. Each incubator and fashion week has a distinct purpose, tone, and focus:
The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator:
- Catalyzing Bridges in a Growing Industry Hub
- The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator is focused on amplifying existing talent, supporting early-career and mid-level designers, and creating cross-sector economic opportunities in one of Ohio’s fastest-growing fashion communities.
- It’s about connecting the dots between creativity and commerce, design and development, vision and viability. Designers in this incubator typically have collections in development or a foundation already built and are looking to scale.
Fashion Week of Cincinnati:
- Amplifying What’s Already There
- Serving as the capstone experience for the Cincinnati Fashion Incubator, Fashion Week of Cincinnati celebrates the region’s boldest independent fashion voices. It’s a curated platform designed to amplify market-ready brands, attract retail buyers, and generate visibility for fashion as both art and economic engine.
- Think: vibrant, polished, editorial, and entrepreneurial, the soundstage for fashion’s next big names.
The Fashion Incubator of Dayton:
- For the aspiring designers, formerly Dayton Fashion Week: The Designer Incubator, this 2.5-year intensive program is where emerging designers learn the full lifecycle of fashion from sketch to production, from concept to commerce.
- It’s intentionally grassroots and hands-on. With an emphasis on sustainable design, sourcing, and business development, this incubator builds the foundation for designers looking to carve out their place in the industry from the ground up.
Dayton Fashion Week
- Unorthodox by Design
- Dayton Fashion Week is bold, boundary-pushing, and disruptive. It showcases designers from the Fashion Incubator of Dayton and takes creative risks use fashion as a medium for commentary, innovation, and identity. It’s unpolished brilliance and where fashion professionals can challenge norms, test ideas, and connect with a community that values authentic storytelling over traditional trends.
(DE-FI) Fashion Week
- The Fabric of the Industry
- (DE-FI) Fashion Week is the umbrella platform that ties it all together, focusing on the business, workforce, and interdisciplinary careers that make fashion run. From industrial sewing to fiber innovation, from sourcing to storytelling, (DE-FI) Fashion Week highlights the often invisible but vital threads that make the fashion industry work.
- It’s part trade show, part think tank, part career expo, and fully committed to reimagining fashion as a sustainable, inclusive, and economically viable ecosystem.
In short:
- The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator builds bridges.
- Fashion Week of Cincinnati amplifies talent already doing the work.
- The Fashion Incubator of Dayton builds designers and fashion professionals
- Dayton Fashion Week is Unorthodoxed and disrupts.
- (DE-FI) Fashion Week exposes the industry’s true structure.
Each one plays a distinct role in the pipeline, but together, they are re(DE-FI)ning fashion from the inside out.
Host Your Own (DE-FI) Experience: Three Dynamic Ways to Shine
1. Coffee with a Designer
Start small, think big. This intimate and creative format is perfect for easing into hosting. Choose a location be it a cozy coffee shop, a buzzing co-working space (The House of (DE-FI)ance wink...wink), or a unique public venue, and engage in meaningful conversations. Whether it’s a one-on-one meetup or a small group of 12-15, this casual yet impactful setting is ideal for morning or early afternoon events. (Registration Fee $50)
2. Studio Crawl
Take attendees behind the scenes of the fashion world with an organized Studio Crawl, curated by (DE-FI) advisors. This fan-favorite format brings participants into the heart of selected studios, offering them a unique glimpse into the creative processes that make fashion tick. Expect this to be a must-attend experience for fashion enthusiasts. (Registration Fee $75)
3. Create Your Own Event
Unleash your creativity and design your own original programming. Whether it's a runway experience, an insightful workshop, a thought-provoking panel discussion, or a keynote session with an industry expert, the possibilities are endless. The most successful events are those that offer attendees valuable takeaways or feature well-known speakers who inspire and engage. (Registration Fee $125)
Ready to Take the Lead?
Whatever format you choose, hosting an event with (DE-FI) Global INC puts you at the center of innovation and creativity. Let’s create unforgettable moments together.
Your Event, Your Rules
Hosts have full control to ticket their events however they see fit. Whether it’s free or premium access, the choice is yours!
Amplify Your Reach with Press Coverage
We have an extensive press list and will notify them of all participating exhibitors. If you have additional press contacts you'd like to invite, email us at info@defiglobalinc.com.
Got Space? Let’s Collaborate!
If you’re offering your venue as a resource, contact us at info@defiglobalinc.com. Our events team can connect hosts in need of a venue, but please note: (DE-FI) Global INC does not negotiate terms between hosts and venues. Let’s make the magic happen together!
We ask that you only submit complete events as the information will be used to populate your final event listing. Changes to your listing after submission may incur an editing fee.
Event Title
Events with a clear, direct focus tend to be the most successful as attendees can immediately tell what they are on the event calendar. Long titles will get cut off on the (DE-FI) site, so avoid being too descriptive. (We know, we need to practice what we preach on this one!)
Event Description
Like your event title, your event description should make it clear what attendees will experience at your event, and what they'll get out of attending. Don't Bury the Lead and make sure attendees know what your event is about in the first 2 sentences.
Like your event title, your event description should make it clear what attendees will expereince at your event, and what they'll get out of attending. Don't Bury the Lead and make sure attendees know what your event is about in the first 2 sentences.
Event Image
Keep it simple. No text and no logos, and we really mean it. If you're event topic is interior design, use an image of a great interior. If your event is a bit more abstract, simple colors and patterns can work really well. Remember, (DE-FI) is for the fashion industry, so a strong, well-designed image is important. (Canva, InDesign, etc. are amazing user friendly tools to help even novice design a professional image.)
Preferred Dates &Times
We do our best to give event hosts their preferred date and time, but sometimes we have to make adjustments basd on the overall curation of the week.
A few things to keep in mind when thinking about your preferred event dates and times:
- Weekend events are always the most busy
- If you’re worried about competing with a ton of events, than consider avoid those days. You can also host an event earlier in the evening so that attendees can attend multiple events by stacking them. For example, if you host an event at 4:30 pm and end at 6 pm, attendees can make it to events that begin at 6:30 pm and 7 pm.
- Mornings are underutilized and a great way to stand out from the evening events, and can be as simple as hosting coffee with your design team. We also welcome more structured events earlier in the day such as workshops and lectures.
- We recommend that you submit a few dates and times so that we can make sure you’re event isn’t scheduled against another event of a similar nature. Ultimately, we’ll always try to give you your top choice.
Length of Event
We recommend creating a sample schedule to determine the length of your event. For example, if you’re holding a panel discussion, consider both the check-in process, as well as discussion afterward and factor both into the total length of time of your event. If you want to go the extra mile, include the schedule in your event description.
- For virtually hosted events, keep in mind screen fatigue. Limit virtual events to one hour unless it is a workshop.
Venue
Can I apply to host an event if my venue isn't confirmed yet?
We ask that you only apply once your venue has been confirmed.
What if I can provide a venue, but I don't plan to host an event?
If you are offering your venue as a resource, please reach out to us at info@defiglobalinc.com. The events team can make the introduction if a host has an event, but no venue. (DE-FI) is not responsible for negotiating terms between a potential host and a venue.
Capacity
Please indicate the actual number of attendees you can host.
Application Fees
Host a Community Event prices are as followed.
- Non profit: No fee
- For Profit: $25-175
Let’s be honest; vendor events are boring. That’s why at (DE-FI), vending with us is a privilege, not a given. If you’re looking to set up shop at our events, be ready to bring your "A" Game because we’re playing in the big leagues.
Our events draw the Who’s Who of the fashion industry, with leaders, disruptors, and tastemakers watching every move. Simply sitting at a table trying to push products won’t cut it. Guests crave engaging, hands-on, interactive experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Think you’ve got what it takes to captivate, inspire, and stand out? Apply HERE to join us and redefine what it means to vend in style.
Contrary to popular belief, the "INC" in (DE-FI) Global INC doesn’t stand for incorporated. (DE-FI) Global INC is an LLC, with "INC" representing Incubator Network Collective, a bold declaration of our mission to cultivate, connect, and disrupt the fashion industry. The INC reflects our long-term vision, ownership of subsidiary initiatives, and the community of aligned professionals and creatives working under the same roof with shared values, even as they bring different skills to the table.
A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance; March 20-23, 2025
Dayton Fashion Week: The Collections; July 10-13, 2025
(DE-FI) Fashion Week; September 16-20, 2025
Fashion Week of Cincinnati; November 5-8, 2025
(DE-FI) Global INC exists to cultivate the next generation of fashion leaders by building the infrastructure necessary for long-term industry growth in Southwest Ohio and beyond. Our mission is to transform fashion into an accessible, ethical, and economically impactful industry by connecting designers, models, artisans, farmers, manufacturers, educators, and business professionals through sustainable programming, workforce development, and entrepreneurial support.
Rather than chasing fashion capitals, we are establishing a new fashion corridor rooted in Dayton and Cincinnati, a region powered by innovation, small-batch production, regenerative agriculture, circular fashion, and career readiness. Through year-round incubators, educational initiatives like the STEM Atelier and Farm to Fashion, and industry events like Dayton Fashion Week and Fashion Week of Cincinnati, we’re shifting public understanding of fashion’s role in economic development, community revitalization, and cultural storytelling.
Each program, partner, and platform within (DE-FI) is intentionally designed to engage the public, create access to opportunity, and challenge outdated norms about who belongs in fashion and what fashion can do.
Fashion Week doesn’t happen by magic, it’s made possible by a small but mighty team driven by purpose, not profit. While we operate with a volunteer-led structure, our commitment to high-caliber programming, equitable access, and professional production standards requires tangible resources.
Your registration fee helps cover the real-world costs of delivering an impactful experience for you and our community. This includes:
- Hiring administrative and production staff to ensure smooth operations
- Engaging public relations and marketing professionals to amplify your visibility
- Providing logistical and technical support across multiple venues
- Maintaining our application platforms, insurance, permits, and outreach efforts
- More importantly, your contribution directly supports a fashion infrastructure that uplifts emerging talent, drives local economic development, and centers inclusion and sustainability.
We’re not here to gatekeep, we’re here to build, connect, and amplify. Every dollar is reinvested back into the community through our programming, partnerships, and the designers, models, artists, and professionals we support year-round.
Thank you for helping us do this work the right way.
No. If providing such items is a financial burden, we encourage you to find donations from your clients, partners or sponsors whenever possible.
We want everyone to be able to participate in (DE-FI) regardless of their economic footing. Thanks to our sponsors, we may have a few spots reserved for those experiencing financial hardship,
Application fees are non-refundable once an application is submitted and accepted. If your application is not accepted, 100% of your fee will be refunded.
Our Designer Incubator is currently on pause for 2025. We are using this time as a strategic building year...restructuring, laying groundwork, and aligning all systems and partnerships needed to advance our long-term vision, including the launch of our fashion design school. Applications for the next Designer Incubator cohort will reopen in Summer 2026.
Meanwhile, our Model Incubator is actively moving forward. Castings were held in June 2025, with the program beginning in August 2025 and concluding in September 2026.
In the meantime, a variety of workshops, classes, and special events are held regularly at The House of (DE-FI)ance. These are open by invitation or registration. If you're interested in getting involved now, we encourage you to request an invitation or sign up for upcoming offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@defiglobalinc.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The STEM Atelier is (DE-FI) Global INC’s hands-on education and workforce development initiative at the intersection of fashion, technology, and innovation. Designed for middle school, high school, college students, and career-changing professionals, the program blends STEM disciplines with creative fashion applications, introducing participants to areas such as wearable tech, sustainable material science, garment engineering, 3D printing, and design software.
The goal is to bridge the gap between technical skill and creative expression while building a pipeline of diverse talent ready to contribute to the evolving fashion industry and advanced manufacturing fields. The STEM Atelier equips learners with real-world experience and industry access that lead to academic, entrepreneurial, and career advancement opportunities.
Farm to Fashion is our sustainability-focused initiative that redefines the fashion supply chain by reconnecting it to local agriculture, regional fiber, and ethical production practices. Rather than relying on global, extractive systems, we work with local farmers, fiber processors, and natural dyers to cultivate raw materials like hemp, flax, wool, and cotton, sourced and processed entirely within the region.
This program not only supports fiber and regenerative farmers, but also helps emerging designers and brands access sustainable materials, reduce environmental impact, and create fashion that’s truly farm-grown, artisan-made, and regionally rooted. Farm to Fashion also plays a crucial role in revitalizing local economies and protecting our soil, water, and labor practices through a closed-loop, community-driven approach to garment production.
(DE-FI)’s Workforce Development Program addresses the growing need for trained professionals in industrial sewing, garment construction, fiber processing, and small-batch manufacturing. Through collaborations with strategic partners like the Rust Belt Fibershed, Cincinnati Reuse and Recycling Hub, Sew Valley, and regional farmers, we provide skill-based training, certifications, and apprenticeships to prepare individuals for careers in sustainable fashion and textile production.
This includes:
- Training on industrial sewing machines and equipment
- Introduction to textile recycling and reuse systems
- Garment production readiness for designers and manufacturers
- Job placement pipelines into local studios, manufacturers, and fashion brands
By centering equity, sustainability, and regional economic development, our workforce efforts aim to rebuild the garment industry in Southwest Ohio, creating new pathways for employment while honoring craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation.
The Dayton Garment & Textile District (DGTD), powered by (DE-FI) Global INC, is a dynamic physical and virtual hub designed to rebuild and modernize the fashion infrastructure of Southwest Ohio—one stitch at a time. DGTD connects fashion creatives, skilled tradespeople, fiber farmers, and ethical manufacturers to create a localized, transparent, and sustainable fashion supply chain.
Here’s how it works:
DGTD Directory
We maintain an evolving digital directory of service providers across all areas of fashion production—from fiber suppliers and pattern makers to fit specialists, stylists, seamstresses, and industrial sewers. This directory helps match talent with opportunity, and fosters collaboration between designers, farmers, boutique owners, and manufacturers across the Midwest.
Micro-Manufacturing Services
DGTD offers affordable, small-batch manufacturing support to designers, boutiques, and emerging brands. Whether you're in need of a one-off sample or a limited production run, our network of trained talent—many of whom are students and graduates of our Workforce Development programs—can help you scale responsibly. We provide:
- Cut-and-sew services
- Alterations and repair
- Sample production
- Quality control
- Custom fulfillment and packaging
Virtual + Physical Network
DGTD exists both online and in real life. Through the House of (DE-FI)ance in Dayton and future partner locations in Cincinnati and beyond, we offer real-world studio space, classroom environments, and co-working access. Virtually, our Mighty Networks-based community allows members to access resources, training, and the DGTD Directory from anywhere.
DGTD is more than a production pipeline, it’s an inclusive fashion economy.
It brings together the essential (but often overlooked) people behind every garment while preserving skills, creating jobs, and supporting regenerative design. Whether you're a designer in need of support, a boutique looking for repairs and exclusives, or a farmer interested in fiber crop partnerships, DGTD is where local meets lasting impact.
Yes, we offer both in-person and virtual experiences. (DE-FI) Global INC operates physical hubs in Dayton and Cincinnati, including the House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience and Cincinnati Threads, Dayton Threads boutique spaces. These locations serve as the heartbeat of our designer and model incubators, educational programs, studio sessions, fittings, workshops, and curated retail experiences.
Our brick-and-mortar presence is a launching pad. Whether you're a designer needing studio space, a model attending a workshop, or a community member exploring ethical fashion, our doors are open. And if you're not local, we’ve got you covered through virtual programming, mentorship, and resources that make meaningful participation accessible from anywhere.
Preview Now. Full Relaunch in September 2025.
Our digital Directory of Designers, Service Providers, and Strategic Partners is currently in soft-launch mode. You can preview select profiles and categories now, with the official relaunch coming September 2025—timed to coincide with Dayton Fashion Week: The Collections and our expanded DGTD initiatives.
The new Directory will feature enhanced search tools, direct links to service providers, and dynamic filtering by expertise, location, and availability, all designed to better connect fashion creatives, businesses, and buyers in the Midwest and beyond.
Preview Now. Full Relaunch in September 2025.
Our digital Directory of Designers, Service Providers, and Strategic Partners is currently in soft-launch mode. You can preview select profiles and categories now, with the official relaunch coming September 2025—timed to coincide with Dayton Fashion Week: The Collections and our expanded DGTD initiatives.
The new Directory will feature enhanced search tools, direct links to service providers, and dynamic filtering by expertise, location, and availability, all designed to better connect fashion creatives, businesses, and buyers in the Midwest and beyond.
(DE-FI) Global INC's Mighty Network is our private digital community platform, designed to connect, educate, and support fashion professionals, students, and collaborators across all tiers of the industry.
Invite-Only and Vetted Access
Access to the network is by invitation or approval only, ensuring that our members are serious, supportive, and aligned with our mission. Certain sections (such as public events and calls-for-entry) may be visible to the general public, but deeper resources require verification.
Tiered Member Profiles
Members are grouped by tier:
Community Access
- Cost: Free – $120/year (Sliding Scale) or $15/month
- Who It’s For: Middle & high school students, senior citizens (Golden Era), and verified press/media.
Creator Access
- Cost: Free – $175/year (Sliding Scale) or $20/month
- Who It’s For: Independent creatives, hobbyists, or those exploring fashion for the first time.
Builder Access
- Cost: Free – $250/year (Sliding Scale) or $25/month)
- Who It’s For: College students, working models, emerging beauty professionals, and serious creatives.
Pro Access
- Cost: Free – $350/year (Sliding Scale) or $30/month)
- Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, fashion and beauty professionals, and established creatives ready to scale.
Each tier has tailored access to relevant resources, events, opportunities, and communication channels.
Networking and Access Features include:
- Direct messaging
- Event RSVPs
- Discussion boards by category
- Access to internal and external opportunities
- Member spotlight features
- Private feedback and mentor circles
The (DE-FI) Global INC Mighty Network is designed to nurture creativity, entrepreneurship, and long-term industry impact.
Copyright © 2025 (DE-FI) Global INC - All Rights Reserved.
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Website Update in Progress!!
We’re currently refreshing and updating our website including important forms and features to better serve you! Some areas may be temporarily unavailable as we work behind the scenes. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Our goal is to have everything updated and ready by Saturday, July 5th.In the meantime, be on the lookout for invitations and RSVP links for Dayton Fashion Week. Emails will come from:info@defiglobalinc.com with a sender name: (DE-FI) Global INC. Make sure to check your inbox and spam folders deadlines are approaching!