Opening the worlds first multi-disciplinary co-working studio; a business hub created by and for fashion and design entrepreneurs.
Project Description
We seek to develop and provide support to Dayton and the Midwest fashion industries and prepare leaders in fashion through our business resources, exposure, education, advocacy, advancement and outreach programs to enhance economic competitiveness regionally, nationally, and globally.
For the local fashion and design communities, creativity and passion have never been our challenge. Our challenge has been a lack of financial support,meaningful mentorship, opportunities, and resources; all of which have prevented many people from even exploring their dreams.
Dayton is the fourth largest city in Ohio with an estimated 140,000 residents. Sandwiched between Cincinnati, Ohio where Macy's is headquartered and Columbus,Ohio which is ranked #3 in the country for fashion design. Dayton has both I-70 and I-75 intersecting in the heart of the city giving easy driving access to 9 major cities in the midwest in less than 5 hrs.
From finance workshops for startups to sewing labs, to photography studios, to everyday workspace and everything in between. Every aspect of the fashion industry will be in one synergistic place where emerging and aspiring fashion and design professionals and entrepreneurs can work and prosper together.
Since our launch, (DE-FI) has always been a community focused outreach initiative mobilized volunteers to support emerging and aspiring talent. We've always supported other non-fashion related community outreach initiatives and never tried to monetize our outreach. However, as the needs of the talent who reached out to us grew, we updated our Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan to meet the needs of the fashion community. We have established an initial goal of raising $250,000 to cover the cost related to housing the House of (DE-FI)ance Co-working space, the purchase of tools, equipment and supplies, along with other start-up cost.
Officially launching in the summer of 2013, (DE-FI) is a ground breaking organization in the Greater Dayton and Miami Valley area that introduces, mentors, and helps to launch the careers of designers, models, and other professionals into the fashion industry.We are a network of fashion professionals, business owners, community leaders, and volunteers; together this network simply known as (DE-FI) pronounced “defy” is re-engineering the global fashion experience.
There are so many friends and fans who have supported the creation of The House of (DE-FI)ance. We could not have made this project happen without your financial support. Thank you so very much!
Updates
The Project FAQs
Q. What is the mission of The House of (DE-FI)ance and how will it be accomplished?
A. The mission of The House of (DE-FI)ance is to provide access to the following:
- Fablab
- Connecting resources
- Building networks
- Exposure to the community
- Education-developing a fashion design program
- Develop teams
- Economic impact
- Attract talent, business and investors
We will accomplish this mission by:
- Broadening the base of Professional Leaders
- Offering professional development opportunities
- Outreach
- Developing space and resources
Q. What will the proposed space consist of?
A. The proposed space will consist of:
- Design Studio featuring design software
- Designated and Roaming Desk
- Designated and Roaming Office
- Visual Art Studio
- Fashion Studio
- Fablabs
- Manufacturing/Fabrication Space
- Photography Studio
- Sewing Studio
- Conference Room
- Production Room
- Classroom Space
- Networking Space
- Venue Rental
Q. How do you know that this space is needed?
A. we hosted a series of (4) bi-weekly meetings that were open to the public to help set the general direction, business model, and logistics of the space. These meetings brought together members from the Dayton Ballet, The Victoria Theater Association, Engineers, Models, Fashion Designers, Sewist, Costume Makers, Photographers and more.
Q.What is the vision of the House of (DE-FI)ance?
A. The Vision for the House of (DE-FI)ance is to provide:
- Educational tools
- Easy parking
- Dress Maker Forms
- Somewhat centrally located
- Collaborative Space
- Large space with dividers
- Security
- Access to mentors from various disciplines
- Business Planning
- Industrial iron
- Meeting areas
- Classroom space
- Scheduling facility
- Model after fashion districts in larger markets
- Collaborate with local school
- Fitting area
- Storage
Q. What problem will the House of (DE-FI)ance address?
A. Problem(s) that the space will address include:
- Lack of education
- Lack of working space
- Lack of marketing resources
- Lack of networking opportunities for models
- Ease of transition into film work
- Lack of networking opportunities
- Lack of resources
- Lack of collaborative space
- Lack of paid work and database for models
- Lack of meeting space
- Lack of teaching space
- Lack of supplies for day to day business
- Lack of agencies
- Lack of equipment and tools
For a pledge of $250, you'll receive a 1-year membership to the House of (DE-FI), we'll name a dedicated desk after you for 1 months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, give you a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
Just Because I Care
Have your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
A business card size ad in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine in black and white.
Have your name or business name listed in the print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine and a business card size ad in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
Come make art with us by contributing to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural that will be a part of the House of (DE-FI)ance when it opens. Not only can you add your art, but we'll also add your name to the wall. You'll receive a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, AND your name listed in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $175,we'll name roaming desk in your name or business name for 1-month, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a special edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, AND your name listed in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $500, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a roaming office after you or your business for a month, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, a pair of tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and list your name or business name in print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $750, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a dedicated office and dedicated desk after you or your business for one months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a pair of tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and list your name or business in the print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $1000, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a a conference room after you or your business for 3-months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a pair of all access tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and a photoshoot with a full page color ad in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $75, you'll receive a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt and your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine
Rewards
For a pledge of $250, you'll receive a 1-year membership to the House of (DE-FI), we'll name a dedicated desk after you for 1 months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, give you a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
Just Because I Care
Have your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
A business card size ad in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine in black and white.
Have your name or business name listed in the print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine and a business card size ad in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
Come make art with us by contributing to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural that will be a part of the House of (DE-FI)ance when it opens. Not only can you add your art, but we'll also add your name to the wall. You'll receive a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, AND your name listed in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $175,we'll name roaming desk in your name or business name for 1-month, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a special edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, AND your name listed in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $500, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a roaming office after you or your business for a month, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, a pair of tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and list your name or business name in print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $750, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a dedicated office and dedicated desk after you or your business for one months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a pair of tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and list your name or business in the print version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $1000, you'll receive a 1 year membership to The House of (DE-FI)ance, we'll name a a conference room after you or your business for 3-months, add your name to the Art of (DE-FI)ance mural, you'll receive a pair of all access tickets to a (DE-FI) produced event of your choice, a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt, and a photoshoot with a full page color ad in the digital version (DE-FI)ance Magazine.
For a pledge of $75, you'll receive a limited edition (DE-FI) t-shirt and your name listed in the digital version of (DE-FI)ance Magazine