Rebecca Huber of Maderas Beach Co. Image Copyright Equine Design
The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC is excited to introduce participating designers that will be taking part in A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance May 9-10, 2014!! A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance will be showcasing both emerging and established designers to help raise money for the Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund! The Fashion Fund will be used to help designers purchase materials such as fabrics to produce their lines, pay entrance fees into influential Fashion Weeks that will put them in front of buyers, as well as helping to pay for some travel expenses!!
Kicking off during Urban Nights on May 9, A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance will be flying high with the First Flight Now Fashion Vintage Couture Ball and the Stylish Mom Runway Show on May 10 at Commander Aero, with the ShoeDIVA Boutique as our Official Shoe Sponsor, and Izzi Bags by Anne Agoren as our Official Handbag Sponsor, Rebecca Huber will be making her runway debut of Maderas Beach Co.
With that being said, every week leading up to the Weekend of (DE-FI)ance, we will be doing a Q & A Session with each of the participating designers in an effort to shed a little light on what it takes to make it in the industry and why the City of Dayton should embrace area and independent designers! So without further ado, Introducing Rebecca Huber.
Q) How did you get your start in the fashion industry?
A) Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawing and making clothing for myself, obsessing over the fashions found in magazines and online. It’s one of my passions I never really embraced until this January, when I decided to just take the plunge and see where it takes me. I am still getting my start in the fashion industry.
Q) Who were your influences personally and professionally?
A) My mother and my two grandmothers were avid sewers and I got my early training and support from them. Now, my husband is my biggest supporter and I am so grateful for his support, patience and love. Professionally, I don’t really have anyone who takes the place of a mentor, but I am always inspired by women who are fully engaged in their passions: Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up, the creators of swim brand Maaji, Rebekah Steen of Goldfish Kiss, and many more women just going out there making things happen.
Q) What were some of the struggles you faced as an emerging designer and what do you consider to be your “Big Break” that took you from being an emerging designer to an established designer?
A) I’m still an emerging designer. I’ve only been at this for a couple months, so the challenges of starting a business are still ongoing. Gaining exposure and convincing people to take a leap of faith in buying my products are my two biggest challenges. I am excited to see how A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance influences my brand and business; it’s a very big opportunity to have right off the bat.
Q) What has been your biggest challenge trying to get your start in the industry?
A) Gaining exposure and of course sacrificing time and money without a sure return. It’s a bit of a gamble, and trusting myself and God. The process is always a challenge.
Q) There are so many misconceptions about what the Fashion Industry is or what it represents, if there was one myth about the fashion industry that you could debunk what would it be and why?
A) That it’s entirely vain or a shallow interest. I really think of fashion and style as art and communication. Style choices communicate something about you. Having the ability to experiment with texture, shape, color, function is a critical component of art, and crafting something that you or someone else can wear is a definitely a skill not many people have. Fashion is about much more than being pretty or popular or the best dressed.
Q) Who is your target market, and when people think of your brand what is the image that you want people to see or represent??
A) My target market is women, primarily women who love travel and adventure. They have a little bit of tomboy in them, a little bit of glamor and a little bit of practicality. When a woman views my brand, I hope they think of all the places they want to visit, or are reminded of a particularly inspiring trip they took. Wanderlust is a huge component of my brand, as is functionality. I also hope potential customers see the quality of the items, and are excited about the affordability.
Q) Why is it so important for Fashion to be embraced in smaller markets like Dayton, OH?
A Sneak Peek of Madera’s Beach Co.’s Mood Board for A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance.
A) Smaller markets really are incubators. For budding designers, it’s an opportunity to do the thing they love doing. Someone like me, or a new brand like mine, would not survive in a major fashion hub like New York or Paris. Small markets make fashion accessible to the people who can’t or don’t want to go to a bigger market.
Q) What are you most excited about in terms of your participation in A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance and what are you hoping to get out of this experience?
A) I’m very excited to get more exposure, get my brand out there, and let women know they can have a well-fitted, high quality, fashionable bikini for a fraction of the cost of the big design labels or pricey boutiques. Beyond that, I have always wanted to participate in a fashion show, so this is really a dream of mine coming true.
Q) What advice do you have for those seeking a career in fashion?
A) Learn about the fashion industry, find your inspiration and just dive in. I haven’t got it figured out, but I am learning to not let my fear of the unknown keep me from pursuing and attaining my goals.
For more information on how you can make a splash this summer wearing Madera’s Beach Co by Rebecca Huber, please send all inquires to [email protected]. You can also see her work first hand at during A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance by purchasing your tickets today at Salon J Ladner located at 37 S. St.Clair St., Dayton, OH 45402, American Pi Dayton located at 39. S. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH 45402 Beaute Box located 116 W. 5th St., Dayton OH, 45402, American Pi Lebanon located at 748 E. Columbus Ave., Lebanon OH. You can also purchase your tickets online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-
For more information on the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC or how you or your company can be a part of this ground breaking event, text “DEFI” to 55469. We are currently looking for volunteers, Makeup Artist, and Hair Stylist to help with production. Also, if you would like to become a sponsor or take out an ad in (DE-FI)ance Magazine we have affordable packages available that start as low as $35!! We’re #TakingItToTheNextLevel #FirstFlightNowFashion.
