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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
Designer in Residence: Fashion Incubator of Dayton
Developing the Future of Fashion, One Vision at a Time
The Fashion Incubator of Dayton is a two-year, immersive experience that goes far beyond fashion shows and photo ops. It’s a rigorous, intentional journey of personal and professional growth, skill development, and brand cultivation. While our 2023 cohort began with six promising designers, the program is designed to challenge and refine talent, not simply celebrate it. Only the most committed continue forward.
Today, we proudly spotlight our current Designer in Residence:
Danielle Simpson – Founder of Thrash by D.O.D.I.
Edgy. Elevated. Evolved.
Danielle Simpson is building a cultural movement. As the sole remaining designer in the 2023–2025 cohort, Danielle has embraced every phase of the incubator experience with unmatched resilience and drive. From mastering the technical foundations of sewing to networking and learning from top-tier industry professionals, Danielle has pushed herself beyond the aesthetics of fashion into its business, production, and purpose.
Her brand, Thrash by D.O.D.I., fuses hip hop’s pulse with high fashion’s sophistication. With a focus on emotion-evoking design and self-curated luxury, she’s re(DE-FI)ning what it means to wear identity.
Danielle is currently interning with independent boutique Other by Imi to gain firsthand retail and merchandising experience. She will officially begin building her team through the (DE-FI) Brain Dayton Experience in 2025, preparing to scale her brand and establish its place in the fashion ecosystem.
About the Brand: Thrash by D.O.D.I.
“The most luxurious experiences are the ones we create for ourselves.”
Born from the rhythm of Hip Hop and the boldness of Dayton’s creative spirit, Thrash by D.O.D.I. is a lifestyle brand grounded in culture, quality, and innovation. It transforms beats into threads, movement into fashion, and self-expression into wearable art.
Mission:
To bridge the gap between Hip Hop and luxury fashion, making the culture’s influence tangible, elevated, and accessible.
Core Values:
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Cultural Ownership
- Simplicity
- Resilience
Brand Personality:
- Edgy but refined
- Trend-forward yet timeless
- Driven by music, rooted in story
Support System
Danielle is supported by a tight-knit team of mentors and creatives who believe in her vision and hustle. That’s the power of the (DE-FI) Global INC network. Want to see where her journey goes next? Stick with us. Because the future of fashion is already being stitched together, right here in Southwest Ohio.
Get Involved: Become A Product Tester
You don’t have to wait until 2026 to be part of the journey. Support Danielle by joining our Product Tester Network where you get to try emerging designs and give feedback that helps shape future collections. Learn More!
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.