The Incubator

Phase One

Phase one of the incubator is currently open. It is located at the DC Convention Center and houses 5 full-time Resident Designers. The Convention Center facility residents enjoy the following services for $250 per month:

Shared designer studio space;
2 one-on-one consulting hours per month;
24 hour access to the facility;
Access to professional sewing equipment;
Free access to Fashionably Business programs.

Phase Two

In July 2012 DCFI will open the main Incubator location on Good Hope Road in Anacostia. Phase Two will host 22-24 on-site designers, and a limited number of external members. The designers will be chosen through an application process where interested parties submit their designs and business plans reviewed by a panel of 7 professionals in the fashion and finance industries.

Executive Members

There will be eight full time designer positions. These private studios will be reserved for designers who demonstrate that they are in their final stages of business growth before leaving the incubator environment. The rent for these 8 private studios will be $800-$850/month and includes the following services:

Private 120-150sq ft lockable studio;
6 one-on-one consulting hours per month;
24 hour access to the facility;
Access to professional sewing equipment and technology;
Office and Shared Administrative Services
Conference Room, Show Room, Event Rental Space, to show collections and host business meetings;
Placement in the DCFI retail store, and access to place their goods in DCFI partner retail stores in Washington, D.C., as well as throughout the United States, and ideally around the world.
Discounted price for courses offered in the Job Training and Development program
Discounted price for additional consulting hours

Associate Members

Fourteen to Sixteen designers will be chosen to participate in the shared designer studio program. These designers will be who show a feasible business idea, though still in the development stages of their business plan, and need assistance in the initial development of their business. These designers will share a 1,000 sq ft studio with workbenches and lockers to store their materials for $275/month and includes the following services:

Access to the shared workroom with a storage locker;
3 one-on-one consulting hours per month;
24 hour access to the facility;
Access to professional sewing equipment and technology;
Office and Shared Administrative Services
Conference Room, Show Room, Event Rental Space, to show collections and host business meetings;
Placement in the DCFI retail store, and access to place their goods in DCFI partner retail stores in Washington, D.C., as well as throughout the United States, and ideally around the world.
Discounted price for courses offered in the Job Training and Development program
Discounted price for additional consulting hours

External Members

This membership will operate as an Incubator without walls for designers that are interested in entering the program though need additional assistance before their application is ready to be considered for the resident designer program. Additionally, designers who have graduated from the program and still would like to utilize the resources of DCFI will be invited to continue as external members of DCFI. The following services are offered for $150/month

2 one-on-one consulting hours per month;
Access to professional sewing equipment and technology during specified hours;
Conference Room, Show Room, Event Rental Space, to show collections and host business meetings;
Placement in the DCFI retail store, and access to place their goods in DCFI partner retail stores in Washington, D.C., as well as throughout the United States, and ideally around the world.
Discounted price for courses offered in the Job Training and Development program
Discounted price for additional consulting hours