About DCFI

The DC Fashion Incubator (DCFI) is based on the successful model found in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. DCFI provides resources, infrastructure and programming that nurtures the District’s budding fashion industry so that it can reach its full potential. The DC Fashion Incubator serves as the foundation of business support for the fashion industry in the District and a model that can be implemented throughout the US.

The primary objective of DCFI is to serve as the cornerstone of small business development and support for the fashion industry in Washington, DC by helping fashion entrepreneurs:

• Develop the appropriate industry skills to become successful artisans;

• Facilitate and support the launching and growth of their small businesses by providing access to shared work-space and operational resources;

• Enhance their skill set by providing local training and professional development opportunities; and

• Benefit from cross-fertilization and networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and professional service providers

DCFI will be moving into it's permanent location, 1231-25 Good Hope Road SE in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in July 2012. The facility is 16,000 square feet, on 2 levels and will allow DCFI to offer both a traditional incubator and a large job training and education facility. 

The incubator and training facility offers affordable rental space, co-op retail space, shared studio facilities and equipment, a knowledge center, shared administrative services and access to professional development workshops and fashion business counselors. The goal is to help resident designers and other business members reduce their initial overhead costs and capital investment requirements, to give them opportunities to build stronger businesses in the start-up phase.