DAYTON, Ohio - TelAve -- A major shift in the regional creative economy is underway. Edessa School of Fashion™, a respected Milwaukee-based institution, is partnering with (DE-FI) Global INC™ to lay the foundation for Dayton's first accredited fashion design college. This collaboration advances the development of the first Midwest's full-value-chain apparel and textile ecosystem and positions Dayton as a future hub for fashion innovation, advanced design, sustainable production, and industry-aligned workforce development.

Both organizations will soon co-host a public information session to introduce their shared vision, outline the opportunity for regional transformation, and invite community insight. Attendees will learn how this initiative intends to align education, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, technical training, and creative industries under one cohesive regional ecosystem.

"This is the beginning of something generational," said Caressa L. Brown, Owner and Director of (DE-FI) Global INC™. "Dayton deserves access to world-class fashion education right here in our region. With Edessa School of Fashion™, we are preparing to build a studio-driven program that merges design, technology, business, and sustainability while creating accessible opportunities that retain talent, attract investment, and strengthen the future of Dayton's fashion economy."

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A Pipeline That Already Produces Global Talent

Over the past decade, more than 1,000 emerging fashion professionals have launched through (DE-FI)'s incubators and industry programs, with alumni going on to walk for Versace, design for Calvin Klein and Marchesa, style for the Grammys and Oscars, and work in global editorial, retail, and design markets. Despite this level of success, all were forced to leave Dayton to advance their careers due to limited local infrastructure and training pathways.

The proposed college seeks to reverse that trend. By building a centralized, accredited educational and workforce development hub, Edessa School of Fashion™ and (DE-FI) Global INC™ aim to retain homegrown talent, attract regional and national students, create high-skill jobs, and draw new creative and manufacturing opportunities into Southwest Ohio.

What the Institution Will Offer

Curriculum development is underway and will focus on:

• Studio-based technical design education
• Sustainability through Farm to Fashion™
• Wearable tech and new materials via STEM Atelier™
• Industry-aligned workforce pipelines
• Entrepreneurial and retail development pathways
• Micro-manufacturing apprenticeships

Collectively, these programs will establish Dayton as a Midwest center of excellence for apparel innovation and ethical production.

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Event Information

Event: Edessa School of Fashion™ × (DE-FI) Global INC™ Information Session
Purpose: Introduction to Dayton's first proposed fashion design school
Date: January 24, 2026, 12p EST
Location: The House of (DE-FI)ance: A Fashion & Design Co-working Experience™, 580 Calumet Ln., Dayton, OH 45417
RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/DEFIGlobalINC/EdessaxDEFIInfoSession