Apply

Applicants seeking admission to the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator are required to:

• Reside in the Philadelphia Region or surrounding areas, including Southern New Jersey and Delaware.

• Be 21 years of age or older.

• Provide a minimum of five (5) images of your product. Ideally work that best reflects your vision for your brand.  If called back for an interview, plan to show these samples but preferably more.

• Have already started a business (6 months-5 years)

• Serious commitment to further sustain and scale your business.

• Be able to commit to PFI and their businesses completely, utilizing all available resources.

• Residency Tuition $400/month for the 12-24 months. Full Tuition Grants are available through the partnering organization(s).

Designers who are ineligible to apply to this program:

• Students currently enrolled in a college or university, trade program, or other accredited educational institution.

• Those who cannot attend the full curriculum of workshops. Minimum one workshop a week.

The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator Selection Committee, comprised of a team of industry professionals, will review applications based on the below criteria. Designers-in-Residence should:

• Have the ability to commit to the program completely, utilizing all available resources, with the intent to launch their businesses as a full-time career.

• Have a strong vision for their collection and/or a great business concept.

• Demonstrate the highest level of responsibility and dedication to both the program and their business.

• Demonstrate a manageable level of financial ability to fund their new businesses ($15,000+).

• Have the ability to work well with others with the desire and flexibility to engage in and be respectful of the program’s many collaborations.

• Understand that while we are here to provide resources and help our Designers-In-Residence establish their businesses, ultimately, our designers are responsible for each and every aspect of beginning, operating, and growing their individual companies.

• Understand that we cannot help teach design. We do our best to provide the resources to help lay a proper business and production foundation for our designers.

Download your application here!

The Application must be submitted to the review panel in electronic format.

Electronic Submission Instructions

Electronic format must be sent via Dropbox or Google Drive only. DO NOT SEND directly via email.

Email or send via Dropbox/wetransfer: elissa@PhiladelphiaFashionIncubator.com

SUBJECT line: FIRST and LAST NAME PFI Application

The application must be received by Wednesday, May 20th, 2026.

If you would like a tour of the incubator studio or to learn more about the residency, please email our Executive Director, Elissa Bloom at elissa@philadephiafashionincubator.com to set up a meeting.

Any questions regarding the application may also be submitted to elissa@PhiladelphiaFashionIncubator.com.

All applicants selected to continue in the application process will be expected to be available to participate in an in-person interview with the PFI review panel for approximately 30 minutes to be scheduled between June 1st and June 5th, 2026. You must be prepared with a business plan and at least five but preferably more samples that best define the collection you plan to work on while at the Incubator.

 The chosen DIR’s will be notified by June 12th, 2026 and publicly announced July 1st, 2026. Chosen DIR’s will promise to keep their acceptance private until the public announcement date July 1st, 2026.

Please be sure you have sent the following:

• Application Electronic

• Resume Electronic

• Images of a minimum of at least five garments in a press kit, lookbook, line sheet or similar format. Electronic

• Two Letters of Reference/Recommendation Electronic

Download your application here!