The (DE-FI) Guild Honors: The Midwest’s Fashion Awards

Launching in 2027 and hosted in Dayton, Ohio, the (DE-FI) Guild Honors set the benchmark for fashion excellence in the  Midwest. Focused on craftsmanship, innovation, sustainability,  visionary entrepreneurship, mentorship, and cultural impact, the Honors spotlight  designers and industry leaders from Dayton, Cincinnati, and across the region. 

The (DE-FI) Guild Honors will bring together designers and fashion professionals for a night of unprecedented recognition. This inaugural event will honor innovators who re(DE-FI)ne fashion and is Hosted by (DE-FI) Global INC.  The (DE-FI) Guild Honors will elevate Dayton as a fashion destination while celebrating the Midwest’s vital role in shaping the global industry. Whether you’re an established name or an emerging talent, this is your moment to stand among fashion’s most impactful voices. 

What Sets Us Apart

• Peer reviewed and merit based: Blind evaluations by respected jurors with no pay to play.
• Beyond runway shows: Awards celebrate design, technical craft, production, business impact, and community leadership.
• Midwest focus with national relevance: Rooted in Dayton and Cincinnati but open to the wider Midwest.
• Transparent criteria: Clear rubrics for craft, originality, sustainability, and measurable impact.

About the Honors

The (DE-FI) Guild  Honors are not your average fashion awards; this recognition stands as a bold statement:  fashion is about work,  excellence, impact, and the legacy we build.

Rooted in craftsmanship and powered by purpose. 

The (DE-FI) Guild Honors shine a light on those who move fashion forward  from the inside out, designers, makers, thinkers, educators, and doers whose work is often overlooked by mainstream awards but whose influence is undeniable. This is fashion without compromise and a recognition  system built for the culture and the craft.

Our Pillars: What We Honor

Each  (DE-FI) Guild Honor recipient is selected based on one or more of the  following core values and contributions to fashion's infrastructure:

• Craftsmanship & Technical Excellence- Honoring  mastery in construction, sewing, textile innovation, and all the  behind-the-scenes brilliance that defines real fashion skill.
• Innovation & Risk- Recognizing those who challenge tradition, create new models, or blaze bold paths in fashion design, business, or storytelling.
• Sustainability & Ethics - For those using fashion as a tool for environmental stewardship, fair labor, circularity, and socially responsible practice.
• Community Impact & Mentorship- Celebrating  individuals and organizations uplifting underserved creatives,  investing in others, and building the next generation.
• Legacy & Longevity- For trailblazers with a track record of excellence, consistency, and influence across decades, not just seasons.
• Emerging Excellence- For rising talents who may not have the platform yet but whose vision, ethic, and execution signal a bright future in fashion.
• Cultural Narrative & Storytelling- Honoring those telling powerful, overlooked, or revolutionary stories through garments, visuals, and fashion discourse.

 Eligibility

The (DE-FI) Guild Honors celebrate designers, makers, innovators, educators, models, and fashion professionals across the Midwest whose work demonstrates  excellence, innovation, and impact in the fashion industry.

How to Nominate

Nominations are accepted from Guild members, industry peers, and self-submissions.  Recognition by the Guild, a mentor, or an industry colleague carries significant weight in the review process.

However,  we also welcome self-nominations. Many of the most impactful voices in fashion work quietly without broad visibility or access to traditional support systems. The (DE-FI) Guild Honors provide an opportunity for these talents to be recognized, ensuring that innovation, craftsmanship,  and cultural contribution are celebrated regardless of status or  connections.

The Selection Process: Built on Credibility

This is not a popularity contests. The (DE-FI) Guild Honors are decided  through a multi-phase, peer-reviewed process guided by integrity and  insight.

Blind Review Phase

Each  nomination is anonymized to eliminate bias. Judging focuses on impact,  work, and alignment with our pillars,not names or social media stats.

• Scored by a Rotating Jury of Industry Experts

Our  jury includes trusted professionals from across sectors design,  education, manufacturing, media, and more who rotate annually to ensure  fairness and fresh perspectives.

No Entry Fees. No Clout Games.

We don’t believe recognition should come with a price tag. This is about the work.

Eligibility & Equity

• Fashion should be for everyone, not just those with access to elite circles.
• Geographically Inclusive: We honor excellence from all regions, not just the fashion capitals.
• Cross-Industry Recognition: From patternmakers to producers, educators  to engineers, models to merchandisers, if you shape fashion, you're  eligible.
• Barrier-Free Access: No submission fees, no vanity metrics, no gatekeeping.

Why It Matters

Too often, regional fashion awards are based on visibility non-industry related  individuals voting based on social media promotion...and not value. At (DE-FI), we reject that model.

The (DE-FI) Guild Honors were created to uplift the true builders of this  industry those working in silence, those mentoring without applause,  those breaking generational cycles with a single thread and vision. This  honor is not given, it’s earned and is about who’s transforming the  industry.

Coming Soon: Nomination Criteria, Jury Announcement & Ceremony Details

Stay tuned for the official call for nominations and ceremony announcements.

In the meantime, follow [@DEFiGlobalINC] on Instagram and join us in reshaping fashion’s foundation, one honor at a time.