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DCFF is supported by the following organizations:

 

 

DCFF is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by

Christine Brooks Cropper 

Executive Director

Washington, D.C. Fashion Foundation

Ms. Brooks-Cropper is a change agent and innovative strategist for the Creative Economy. In 2007, she launched The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) to promote the business interests of those in the Fashion/Style Industry as well as developing Washington D.C. into a Global Fashion Capital. Through her work at GWFCC she has influenced DC legislation, established youth and adult arts education programs, and in 2010, formed the first Congressional Apparel Manufacturing and Fashion Business Caucus on Capitol Hill. Ms. Brooks-Cropper is currently focused on launching the Washington, D.C. Fashion Incubator. Through this program, her goal is to support new and established designers and assist design students transitioning from school in to a full time career. Prior to launching the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Brooks-Cropper served as the Victim Of Crime (VOCA) and Violence Against Women (VAWA) Administrator for Washington, D.C.. She has also co-owned a fashion show event planning company and managed and provided marketing/pr strategies for fashion designers. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Delaware, and is a proud mother to her son, Christian.

 

 

Janice Wallace

Deputy Director

Janice Wallace is a native Washingtonian. She graduated from Howard University with a B.A. in Journalism. She has worked as a project director at George Washington University on a NASA contract, Citibank, and most recently on Capitol Hill in the Office of the Clerk, US House of Representatives. Wallace left Capitol Hill in 2011 to start an online fashion magazine, Facon, whose primary focus is on emerging fashion. She is passionate about supporting the emerging fashion industry while working to develop workforce and entrepreneur opportunities for D.C. residents.

 

 

Stephanie Spears

Youth Academy Incubator Manager

Stephanie Spears was born and raised in Washington, DC.  She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School where, through Home Economics, Stephanie discovered her love for fashion.  
 
After high school, she attended the Maryland College of Art and Design where she got her associate’s degree in Communication Design.  Teachers there noticed that all her projects where always about fashion and recommended that she further her education in fashion at Pratt Institute where she recieved her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design.
 
Stephanie has worked as a designer for major companies such as the Gap, Harley Davidson, Phat Farm, Rocawear, and Ralph Lauren. After 20 years in New York, Stephanie moved back to Washington DC to teach at the CCDC in the Fashion Merchandising program. She continues to design clothing for personal clients and is working on developing her own plus size clothing line.  Stephanie believes DC is a capitol city with a lot of talent that is being overlooked and wants to help in the development of DC becoming part of the fashion industry.   

 

 

Jennifer Fisher

Advocacy Director  

Jennifer Fisher, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, moved to Washington, DC in 2003 to work for former Alabama Congressman Arthur Davis. She currently serves as a congressional lobbyist for the American Dental Association. Jennifer is the co-founder of Fashion Delegate (FD) -- a fashion and political online new source based in DC.  FD provides a platform and create opportunities for emerging designers. Jennifer also volunteers as the Director of Advocacy for the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce. She holds a bachelors, masters in public administration and a Jurist Doctorate.   

 

  Marci Rodgers

Development Associate

Fashion marketing, styling, public relations, online store, and a blog! Yea it is safe to say that GWFCC’s own marketing/ communications coordinator Marci Rodgers has her hustle game turned all the way up. By working within these different fields of the fashion industry Marci has noticed how it has all intertwined and helped her to grow in her career. Although she did not get the opportunity to attend a college geared towards fashion like she initially wanted Marci did attend Howard University where she used the resources that Howard offered to get her start in fashion. It was at Howard University that Marci participated in a few fashion shows, and was the commentator for the University Fashion Council chapter at Howard. From there she built a network and began to participate in projects outside of campus activities. Marci has been a wardrobe stylist for the past five years with clients such as “Que” formerly of Day 26 to working with designers to help promote their lines. In dealing with styling she noticed she had an eye for detail and was able to pair that with her love for colors and clothes. Not only did it help with those discoveries but it also helped create that excitement of putting together pieces that could have the potential of creating a trend.  Marci was initially attracted to GWFCC in which began with Christine’s vision and direction she was guiding the creative economy in. Christine, realized businesses needed exposure and that D.C.’s fashion community needed the right outlet to show they have the potential to be a fashion hub as well. It was that vessel of community service as it relates to fashion business and education that spoke to Marci in more ways than one.