Our vision is to celebrate Dayton, Cincinnati, and Southwest Ohio as the Birthplace of Aviation, Hub of Innovation, as well as staking our claim as the Fashion Capital for the development and success of fashion based talent and garment manufacturing.
We aspire to be a leader in regional fashion, to promote excellence, and gain recognition for our community as a global leader for the discovery of emerging designers, model development, creative expressions, fashion manufacturing, and innovation. Recognizing that:
1) Diversity is not limited to the physical attributes that we possess, it also encompasses thought and experiences. Diversity is not performative.
2) Equality is more than treating everyone the same, it's an understanding of history, removing historical roadblocks and barriers that have blocked access to needed resources and opportunities to a level playing field.
3) Inclusion is not a one size fits all performative participation trophy, rather it's sincere steps and actions to heal past wounds and welcome all to a sit at the table where many were once denied and ensuring that they are supplied with the needed tools for success.
All of which are essential components of our excellence.
It is the mission of our fashion incubators to provide support to aspiring and independent fashion based talent in the form of business resources, education, advocacy, advancement, and opportunities. We seek to develop and provide support to Dayton, Cincinnati, and the southwest Ohio's fashion industries by preparing leaders in fashion through our business resources, meaningful exposure, education, advocacy, advancement, and outreach programs to enhance economic competitiveness for regional fashion both nationally and globally.
By making Dayton , Cincinnati, and Southwest Ohio a fashion capital for emerging talent and development; our fashion incubator's core values include excellence; diversity in people and of ideas; inclusion; access, affordability; innovation; collaboration; competition, interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary endeavors; integrity; openness, honesty, transparency, and trust.
(DE-FI) Global INC is leading the way in placing Dayton and Cincinnati in the $900 Billion dollar a year global fashion spotlight. With the fashion industry being the 2nd largest employer in the U.S., it's more than just the clothes on our backs or entertainment; fashion is an opportunity for economic growth for our community which has no projected growth for the next 15 years.
We've all heard it before, "location...location...location", did you know that Macy's had headquarters in Cincinnati which is a 45-minute drive from Dayton? Or that Columbus housed L-Brands, Abercrombie, Victoria's Secret, and more as well as being home to the 3rd largest population of fashion designers behind New York and L.A., and is an hour and fifteen-minute drive from Dayton? and that Hugo Boss was manufactured in Cleveland, a three-hour drive from Dayton? In fact, because both I-75 and I-70 run through Dayton, the Miami Valley area was a hub for auto manufacturing for decades. At least 11 other major US cities are within a 45 minute to an 8-hour drive from Dayton including Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Detroit, Memphis, and Nashville just to name a few, making our community prime real estate for garment manufacturing and headquarters.
Fashion professionals need 4 things:
We accomplish our mission by:
Our Fashion Incubators have made Dayton the Fashion Capital of the Midwest for the development and success of fashion based talent and we're adding Cincinnati to the list.
A few of our goals include:
Highlights from our Strategic Plan
At (DE-FI), our love for the community runs deeper than words—it’s woven into everything we do. Since the very beginning, we’ve been driven by a simple belief: real change happens when you give without expecting anything in return. That’s why (DE-FI) has always operated as a volunteer-based organization, offering services to fashion based talent regardless of their ability to pay.
But we don’t stop there. We ask our talent to join us in this mission of giving by volunteering 40 hours each year in their own communities, paying forward the opportunities they’ve been given. Through (DE-FI) Gives Back, we’ve created a ripple effect of kindness and generosity, proving that together, we can make a lasting impact.
For over a decade, our work has gone far beyond fashion. It’s about people, about connection, about showing up for those who need it most. Through Our Village, we’ve organized holiday drives that fed and clothed thousands across the Miami Valley. We’ve supported events that combat substance abuse and strengthen relationships between underserved communities and law enforcement. We’ve collected canned goods for the hungry, school supplies for families in need, built homes for the homeless, and raised money to fight cancer. We’ve even hosted bone marrow drives, hoping to save lives.
And we’ve done it all without seeking the spotlight. No cameras. No headlines. No need for applause. Our commitment to the community isn’t about recognition—it’s about love. It’s about being the change we want to see and doing the work simply because it’s the right thing to do.
We believe in self-worth and inner beauty, and we share that belief with area youth through mentorship and meaningful conversations. We’ve stood by families in tough times, lifted others when they needed a hand, and always found ways to bring hope where it’s needed most.
At (DE-FI), our community is our heart, and (DE-FI) Gives Back is how we show our gratitude. Moving forward, we will continue to give, build, and love without expectation, because this is who we are. We are (DE-FI). We are the village. And we will always put our community first.
Models, Designers, supporters and (DE-FI) leaders participate in a Habitat For Humanity Build.
The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC has reshaped the economic and creative landscape of Southwest Ohio through its bold and visionary Workforce Development Program, Stitching Together Sewn Goods for a Brighter Future. By leveraging the $2 trillion global fashion industry, we are creating new opportunities for skill development, workforce placement, and economic transformation in Dayton and Cincinnati.
(DE-FI) has been a pioneer in sewn goods workforce development, playing a key role in launching Dayton’s only Sewing Workforce Development Program, the Dayton Sewing Collaborative in collaboration with the Goodwill, was a (DE-FI)-driven effort to prepare the region for a resurgence in garment manufacturing and industrial sewing opportunities. Though our work has not always been fully credited, it remains a cornerstone of (DE-FI)’s mission to empower individuals and elevate the community.
One of (DE-FI)’s longest-standing goals has been to bring garment manufacturing to Dayton and the Miami Valley. Garment manufacturing represents a high investment-to-turnover ratio with lower capital intensity, making it an ideal industry to spur economic growth. In 2019, U.S. textile manufacturing alone contributed $18.79 billion in value, employing over 144,000 people across the country.
The demand for skilled workers in this sector is increasing as reshoring efforts gain momentum and domestic production rises to avoid global tariffs. Positions in garment manufacturing offer significant career opportunities, with higher-paying roles like garment manufacturing computer-based professionals earning an average of $67,110 annually and fabric and apparel pattern makers earning $53,800 per year. (DE-FI)’s Workforce Development Program bridges the skills gap by connecting individuals with these opportunities, ensuring fair wages, ethical working conditions, and pathways for professional advancement.
Our program prepares participants to become industrial sewing professionals for both fashion-related and non-fashion-related sewing opportunities, including lifesaving protective gear for companies like Lions and Honeywell. To ensure readiness, participants must meet local industry standards and pass a rigorous certification exam, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in this evolving field.
(DE-FI) has always been a disruptor, and this initiative reflects our commitment to positioning Dayton as a major player in the fashion and textile industries. While cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati have long benefited from fashion giants like Hugo Boss, Macy’s, and L Brands, Dayton’s potential has often been overlooked. With increasing costs of living in major fashion hubs like New York and Los Angeles, the Midwest is emerging as the next frontier for fashion talent and production, and (DE-FI) is ensuring Dayton is ready.
(DE-FI) continues to uplift individuals and communities, combating poverty and creating sustainable career pathways. Our work remains focused on financial independence, professional empowerment, and transforming Southwest Ohio into a hub for the garment and fashion industries.
By reclaiming its rightful role in launching Dayton’s sewing workforce development program, (DE-FI) is ensuring its legacy as a leader in workforce innovation and community impact. Together, we’re stitching a brighter future—one skill, one opportunity, and one community at a time.
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(DE-FI) the Norm. Join the Elite. A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance is your exclusive pass to disrupt the fashion scene, January 15-18, 2025. This isn’t for everyone—it’s for the visionaries, the innovators, the rule-breakers. Tickets are limited. Request your invitation now to claim your place in the movement.