THE FASHION INCUBATOR: DAYTON | CINCINNATI PIPELINE

CFDA Connects Summit: Getting It Done Panel featuring Shawn Pean, Founder of June79  @june79nyc34   and Felicia Ruiz-Lowey, Founder of  The Assembly Line Co. 

@CFDA  Connects Summit: Getting it Done, Felicia  Ruiz-Lowey, Founder of The Assembly Line Co. discusses the importance  of not skipping steps in the process and The Assembly Line Co serves as an extension to your team until you're ready to hire your team. 

CFDA Connects Summit: Getting it Paid For Panel featuring Zeinab Chamsine, CEO of Zai's Society and Ebony Wiggins, Consulting  Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). 

CFDA Connects Summit The Cut Buddy ‎@TheCutBuddy   Founder & CEO Joshua Esnard discusses the importance of knowing your  target audience and demographics, as well as having an understanding of  what problem your product is solving. 

Go behind the scenes of the (DE-FI) Boutique Support Program as we check in with our Incubator participants and their mentor, Sandra from OTHER by IMI. In this video, Sandra shares insights into their upcoming  internship plans, while participants discuss their goals, what they hope to learn, and the invaluable benefits of being part of this transformative program. Watch as mentorship, collaboration, and creativity come together to empower the next generation of fashion innovators. 

In this insightful video, a sewing student discusses their vision for a custom clothing business with one of our expert sewing instructors. Together, they dive into the realities of the fashion industry, exploring what works, what doesn't, and the key elements of success. The instructor emphasizes the importance of mastering proper sewing techniques, understanding garment construction, and developing a strong foundation in industry terminology and practices. This conversation is a masterclass in merging technical skill with business acumen, showing how precision, craftsmanship, and a clear understanding of the craft are essential for building a thriving career as a professional sewist.

This video captures a (DE-FI)ning moment at the official New York Fashion Week kickoff party at Gracie Mansion. (DE-FI) owner and  director Caressa Brown was invited by New York Mayor Eric Adams,  Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, and legendary designer Thom  Browne, the current chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America  (CFDA).

As a plus one, Caressa invited (DE-FI) designer alum Sa-Shai Daniels to join her for this monumental occasion. In a full-circle moment, Caressa wore a design by Sa-Shai to the event—a look that both of them would  later see featured in Vogue.

During the evening, Thom Browne delivered an inspiring message about his early struggles in the fashion industry and the journey that led him to  become one of the most influential figures in American fashion. Twenty  years ago, he started with a vision, and today, he’s dressing the world’s elite and leading the nation’s most powerful fashion  organization.

(DE-FI) is just stepping into its 12th year, and this moment serves as a glimpse into what’s possible. Imagine what the next decade holds for a brand that has already re(DE-FI)ned the game. This is only the beginning.

After an unforgettable night at the official New York Fashion Week launch party at Gracie Mansion, designer alum Sa-Shai Daniels and current incubator designers took some much-needed time to  unwind. This clip captures a serene walk on the beach, a perfect moment of relaxation and reflection amidst the fast-paced energy of NYFW.  Because when you (DE-FI), life really is a beach—balancing hard work with well-deserved moments of calm.

This clip offers a sneak peek into a powerful  conversation between current Dayton Fashion Week Design Incubator participants and two alum designers who joined our incubator as teens and now work in the fashion industry.

These critical discussions reveal what our alum wish they had known during their early days in the incubator, the resources they now value, and how our incubator has evolved to offer more connections and tools for success. Sa-shai, who has navigated roles as a model, magazine editor during her time in the (DE-FI) incubator as a teen and now a designer for White House Black Market, highlights the dynamic, layered nature of the industry. Meanwhile, Megan Antkoviak emphasizes the challenges and  opportunities of bridging the resource gap between cities like Dayton  and major fashion hubs like Columbus and New York.

This is what it means to build community, network, and learn outside the  classroom. Our trips to New York Fashion Week go beyond shows and  high-profile events—they're about real conversations, authentic  connections, and navigating career paths in a constantly evolving  industry. It’s about peeling back the layers to discover what works best for each individual's goals and dreams. This is the essence of the (DE-FI) way.

Step behind the curtain and experience the heart of our more intimate fashion experiences, like Art, Wine, and Fashion. This exclusive event highlights the creative journey of designer Erika Bertie, who crafts couture pieces that tell deeply personal stories. Unlike mass-market approaches, Erika’s vision is bespoke and intentional—she seeks only two new clients per year, specifically second-time brides looking for meaningful, story-driven designs.

Witness Erika’s process as she blends art, emotion, and fashion, creating  one-of-a-kind dresses that embody her clients' unique journeys. These  intimate settings are not just events; they are bridges connecting  designers to their niche customers, offering a glimpse into the artistry that makes fashion more than just clothing—it’s a narrative.

#StoriesInStitches

#ArtWineAndFashion

#EricaBerthierCouture

#IntimateFashionExperience

#NicheDesigns

#WhatDoYouDEFI

#FashionWithPurpose

#BridalStories

#BespokeDesigns

#SecondTimeBrides

Here’s another captivating clip from Art, Wine, and Fashion featuring  Erika Bertier, the visionary behind Gowns by Bertier. In this segment,  Erika shares the heartfelt story behind the evening's featured piece, Inner Passion. Dive into her creative process and discover how this stunning design embodies the journey of finding and igniting one's true passion.

#FindingYourPassion

#LightYourFire

#WhatDoYouDEFI

#FirstFlightNowFashion

Take an exclusive peek into Art, Wine, and Fashion with Walt Leigh as  Miss and her son, King, unveil their stunning collaboration—a brand-new line of hand-painted designs. This creative duo combined artistry and fashion to craft pieces that are as bold as they are  meaningful. Premiering during A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance, their debut captured the essence of creativity, family, and self-expression. Adding to the experience, every guest walked away with their own unique painting that they created during this one-of-a-kind event. Witness the magic of their process and the heartfelt story behind their designs

#ArtMeetsFashion

#CreativeCollaboration

#HandPaintedDesigns

#FamilyAndFashion

#WhatDoYouDEFI

#FirstFlightNowFashion

#BeBold

After the official New York Fashion Week kickoff, (DE-FI) Designer alum and Incubator participants gathered in the heart of Time Square to celebrate their journey. From the 937 to the 212, this moment was about more than food and dancing—it was about embracing the energy of New York City, reflecting on how far we’ve come, and turning dreams into reality in the iconic concrete jungle. Watch as we celebrate fashion, creativity, and community in one of the world’s most electrifying settings. FYI Bradley doesn't dance! lol But we love her anyway! :-)

 In the lead-up to Super Bowl 2022, the Bengals’ excitement was  contagious—and so was the spirit at the House of (DE-FI)ance! Watch as  Caressa breaks out into the iconic Icky Shuffle, celebrating in true  “Who Dey” fashion. Just a random, fun moment of pure joy, energy, and Southwest Ohio pride ahead of the big game. Sometimes, it’s the little  things—like a little dance—that remind us to celebrate the journey! 

It was a night of celebration and recognition at the Better Business  Bureau Women in Business Networking Annual Gala, themed Fire and Ice.  Watch as (DE-FI) Business Advisor Cindy Gabori and Caressa Brown let loose and hit the dance floor, showing off their moves in style. Cindy was honored with the Jeannie Porter Lifetime Achievement Award, and Caressa was named to the 2024 class of Top Women to Watch. This video captures the joy, energy, and camaraderie of two women making waves while having fun along the way. A true celebration of achievement and sisterhood!