Shuttereye Photographer

Have you purchased your copy of (DE-FI)ance Magazine yet? You can order your copy at http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/606271?__r=435971

A wise man once said, “The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change” and that’s one thing that those of us at the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC has come to know, understand, adapt to, and appreciate! After all without change things become boring, stagnant, and let’s face it predictable–all things that Fashion should never become! So with that being said, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC is excited to announce changes to our schedule of events for May!! 😀

Originally it was announced that we would be having our very first Fashion Week May 6-10, however after revisiting our ultimate goal and mission which is to provide support for area and independent designers and then reviewing our own availability from Models (most of whom are in school age and or in college during the week), our very own staff (all of which have day jobs and faced a few scheduling issues), a few participating designers(who were only available during the weekend), and of course one of our main events conflicted with one of the largest events in Downtown—URBAN NIGHTS!! So after careful thought and consideration, it was decided that “(DE-FI)ance Fashion Week” should be consolidated into a weekend event and hence “A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance” was born!!

So without further ado, we are proud to announce the schedule for (DE-FI)ance Fashion Week which will kick off during the largest street party in Dayton—URBAN NIGHTS!!

A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance Kicks Off during Urban Nights May 9!!

Date: Friday May 9, 2014

Event: Urban Nights

Location: Downtown Dayton

Time: 5:30pm

Event Description: Kicking off on Friday May 9^th at Urban Nights, “A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance” will be hitting the streets with our Fashion Police who will be patrolling the grounds looking for suspects to participate in our Ambush Makeovers! Sponsored by Beaute Box, (DE-FI) Designers, Shuttereye Photography, PTB Photography, and Salon J Ladner participants will undergo a head to know makeover complete with a full photoshoot that will we be featured in the December issue of (DE-FI)ance Magazine! We will also, have a street team on location looking for some of the most stylish Daytonians who are styled to perfection and making a Fashion Statement to be featured on our Facebook and Twitter pages!! But the fun doesn’t stop there, attendees of Urban Nights will also get a firsthand look at all of the behind the scenes madness that takes place during Fashion Events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, with hair, makeup, and a full runway production taking place right in the middle of the streets of Downtown Dayton!!

Cost: Free

Dayton Mom Jessica Watkins will be ripping the runway along side of our adorable children on Saturday May 10, during our Stylish Mom Runway Event

Date: Saturday May 10, 2014

Event: Stylish Mom Runway Show

Location: Commander Aero Airport, 10570 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, OH 45342

Time: 11am

Event Description: With Mother’s Day on May 11, we will kick off the Mother’s Day Celebration with our Stylish Mom Runway Show!! Complete with a continental breakfast, our Stylish Mom Runway show will pair two of the Midwest’s most well-known Wardrobe Stylist Jennifer Link of Dayton and Sheree Alexis of Columbus who will be putting together looks from American Pi Dayton, Zig Zag Gallery, Ruby Ribbon, Izzi Bags, and (DE-FI) Kids Line Designer Sonya Mills of Kerapa Kids!! But unlike our other fashion events, we aren’t using models…we’re using some of Dayton and the Miami Valley’s most deserving and inspirational Moms to rip our runway!! The top looks will be featured in the December 2014 Issue of (DE-FI)ance Magazine and of course we will be using the Moms once again as the models along with their children.

Cost: $45 Tickets go on sale now 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. 5^th St., Dayton OH, 45402, American Pi Lebanon located at 748 E. Columbus Ave., Lebanon OH. Tickets are available online now at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-weekend-of-de-fiance-the-stylish-mom-runway-tickets-10948321725

Dayton Mom Teresa Russell will be ripping the runway during our Stylish Mom Runway Event on May 10 during A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance!!

Date: Saturday May 10, 2014

Event: First Flight Now Fashion Vintage Couture Ball

Location: Commander Aero Airport, 10570 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, OH 45342

Time: 7pm

Event Description: “A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance” will culminate with a unique celebration of all things Dayton—from aviation, innovation, and of course FASHION!! We’re taking a step back in time with Roaring 20’s attire social event featuring heavy appetizers, a cash bar, dancing, networking, performances, and a Fashion Runway Experience like no other. Showcasing Designers include Sonya Mills of Kerapa Klothing, Brenda Marone of B.Marie Designs, Jennifer Link of Rumorless, Berny Martin of Catou, Misti Leigh of iii Designs, Rebbeca Lippert, Gowns by Beartie, Izzi Bags by Anne Agoren, Jammu Style by Juneja Bhavna, Shoe Diva Boutique, Marian Montgomery, Jewelry by John Wind, Aceani Michelle, Adeola Adeyemi, Tegan King, and a few more surprise guest! Set in an Airplane Hanger the proceeds from the First Flight…Now Fashion Vintage Couture Ball will go to the Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund which benefits local and independent Designers.

Gowns By Beartie will be making her (DE-FI) Debute during the First Flight…Now Fashion Vintage Couture Ball for A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance!!

Cost: $55 for General Admission and $75 for VIP Seating. Tickets are on sale now 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. 5^th St., Dayton OH, 45402, American Pi Lebanon located at 748 E. Columbus Ave., Lebanon OH. You can purchase your tickets online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-weekend-of-de-fiance-first-flight-now-fashion-vintage-couture-ball-tickets-10948422025. For VIP Tickets http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-weekend-of-de-fiance-first-flight-now-fashion-vintage-couture-ball-vip-seating-tickets-10948458133 NOTE: VIP Tickets included premium seating, Swag bags, and a complimentary drink.

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.

Pittsburg Shoe Designer Janelle Cutler is the Official Shoe Sponsor for A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance! For more information visit www.shoedivaboutique.com

A little over a year ago, I had the honor of serving as the Director of Operations for the first ever Fashion Week in the City of Dayton; like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland have been doing for years…it was now the Gem City’s turn to take its position in the International Fashion Spotlight. From day one it was an uphill battle getting Dayton Fashion Week off of the ground, the Founder and owner of DFW Junda Morris-Kennedy of JMK Production was new to the area, she didn’t have any local connections, and the idea of a fashion week was a completely new concept to the Miami Valley area.

As someone who was familiar with the fashion industry from a modeling perspective and a cheerleader for the City of Dayton, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this ground breaking and I reached out to the founder and after a brief meeting with her, I jumped in with both feet and started spreading the word within my various community based circles that fashion finally had a platform in Dayton. And soon after an entire new community emerged, the area in general began to recognize the talent that was here, and individual success stories began to surface.

However, in the days and weeks leading up to and immediately following the first DFW, questions started being raised and cracks began to show all surrounding DFW’s Founder. I along with others associated with DFW attempted to address our concerns with the owner and seek out answers from her as well but our concerns were ignored and our questions went unanswered. Never one to compromise my ethics, in September I resigned as the Director of Operations for Dayton Fashion Week–and soon after, so did others. I initially kept my departure quiet not wanting to cast any dark clouds over the local fashion community; but as sponsors, media, models, photographers, and designers continued to reach out to me for answers regarding DFW and sought my support it became apparent that not only did I need to make my departure public but it was also clear that the demand for a fashion outlet and venue in the area was still present.

After meeting with others who were associated with DFW last year, I was urged to create a new fashion based organization and soon the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) was born! Consisting of over 30 local and national media personalities, business owners, fashion experts, and those who just want to be a part of a positive, transparent, and professional organization; and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring a new fashion outlet to the city of Dayton!!! The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator also known as (DE-FI)’s main goal is to build a solid foundation for the fashion industry to grow on building a viable and economically successful market in the Miami Valley. Modeled after the Fashion Incubators in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, (DE-FI) is partnering with TIME Magazine recognized Midwest Fashion Week, Dayton Most Metro, Joli Boutique, Sew Dayton, Shuttereye Photography, Studio Dayton, and UnZip the Runway Designer Competition.

(DE-FI) launched in February 2013 and is planning to host 2 intimate fashion events this year starting with an Official Launch Party July 13, 2013 at SunWatch Indian Village. This event will serve as an opportunity to mix, mingle, and network with some of the area’s top professionals, community leaders, and fashion lovers from all over. Complete with an official introduction of the DE-FI team and designers that have been selected into the Incubator; the Launch Party will also feature a fashion show featuring local and nationally known established designers who will be prepared to take special orders on all of their designs.

In preparation for the Launch Party, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) will be hosting 2 Casting Calls for models on Saturday March 23 and April 20 from 2p-4p at Studio Dayton located at 1001 E. 2nd St., Dayton, OH 45402 in Bldg 100, Entrance B-C in Suite 3220. The Casting Call is open to male and female models ages 4 and up. (NOTE: Models under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.) All applicants must bring (2) images (1) Head shot and (1) full body shot; photos DO NOT need to be professional. All models must bring with them an application which can be found on the website Adult models should come dressed in fitted attire flattering for your body type. Female models must bring a pair of 3″ heels to walk the runway in. Models under the age of 18 should wear age appropriate attire. There will also be scouts from UnZip the Runway in attendance as well. For more information on (DE-FI) and to download your application please visit our website.

From (DE-FI)ance Fashion Week to A Weekend of (DE-FI)ance

Introducing The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI)