The (DE-FI) Table™ | Build Weekend
March 27–29, 2026 | Dayton, Ohio
Invitation Only Experiences for the Business of Fashion
The (DE-FI) Table™| Build Weekend is part of The (DE-FI) Table™, a four part, quarterly working series designed to support different stages of business and career growth across the fashion ecosystem throughout the year.
Each Table focuses on a distinct phase of readiness. Participation in Build is not required to attend future Tables, but it is intentionally designed to set a strong foundation for the work that follows.
The 2026 (DE-FI) Table™ Series includes:
• Build | March 27–29 | Dayton
• Access | June 26–28 | Cincinnati
• Market | September 25–27 | Cincinnati
• Reflection & Scale | December 18–20 | Dayton
About The (DE-FI) Table™| Build
The (DE-FI) Table™| Build Weekend is a three day, invitation only series of curated experiences designed for fashion based talent, creatives, operators, educators, retailers, and industry partners who are serious about building sustainable careers, businesses, and long term pathways within the fashion ecosystem.
This is an ecosystem level convening and is not limited to designers. Participants may include models, fashionpreneurs, boutique owners, educators, creatives, and others working across or adjacent to fashion who are ready to engage intentionally with the business, infrastructure, and future of the industry.
Each day of the weekend serves a distinct purpose. Guests may request invitations to one or multiple experiences, depending on alignment and availability.
Friday, March 27
Edessa School of Fashion Mixer and Info Session
Evening | Dayton
The weekend opens with a curated Edessa School of Fashion Mixer and Info Session, welcoming prospective students for the Milwaukee campus, creatives, and community members interested in fashion education, training pathways, and career development, along with plans to open a location in Dayton.
This gathering blends an informal mixer with an informational component, offering space to learn about Edessa’s educational approach while connecting with faculty, industry professionals, and peers.
Attendance is by invitation.
Request an invitation here:
https://form.jotform.com/DEFIGlobalINC/EdessaxDEFIInfoSession
Saturday, March 28
The Build-A-Brand™ Experience
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Dayton
The Build-A-Brand™ Experience is the cornerstone working session of the weekend and serves as The (DE-FI) Table™| Build, the first Table in the 2026 series.
This is not a panel, networking event, or pitch session. The Build Table is a structured, hands on working experience focused on the foundational elements required to build and sustain careers and ventures within fashion. Areas of focus include systems, positioning, storytelling, planning, accountability, and operational clarity.
Participants may include designers, models, fashion based talent, boutique owners, educators, creatives, and fashionpreneurs who are ready to take their work seriously and engage in real strategy and execution.
Attendance is by invitation only.
Request consideration here:
https://form.jotform.com/DEFIGlobalINC/TheDEFITable
Sunday, March 29
The Retail Table™
Daytime | Dayton
The weekend concludes with The Retail Table™, a boutique focused working session designed for independent retailers, buyers, designers, and fashion based brands preparing for placement, partnerships, and market readiness.
This experience centers honest, practical conversations between brands and retailers. Topics include expectations, alignment, pricing, presentation, and long term retail relationships.
Attendance is by invitation.
Request an invitation here:
https://form.jotform.com/DEFIGlobalINC/TheRetailTable
Important Notes on Invitations
1. Each experience requires a separate invitation request.
2. Submitting a request does not guarantee attendance.
3. Invitations are issued based on fit, capacity, and alignment.
4. All sessions are intentionally limited in size.
Call for Speakers and Facilitators
We are also accepting interest from experienced professionals interested in contributing as speakers or facilitators for The (DE-FI) Table™| Build and future Tables in the series.
Ideal contributors bring real world expertise in areas such as business strategy and operations, fashion education and workforce development, retail and market readiness, finance and funding, systems development, marketing, storytelling, and production.
To express interest, please complete the Educators Interest form here:
https://form.jotform.com/DEFIGlobalINC/EducatorsInterest
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