Detroit’s fashion scene showed up on Sunday — but not just to stunt.
Dream Rich’s Dream University Fashion Experience brought together more than 10 of the city’s top streetwear designers at the St. Regis Hotel for a runway show that doubled as a fundraiser for young entrepreneurs.
The event was produced by Detroit fashion designer, podcast host, and manager of rapper Baby Money, Darylynn Mumphord, and marked her 13th show in 11 years. That run, and this show, demonstrated her consistency and community pull.
“She built Dream University to inspire, connect, and elevate the next generation of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs,” an Instagram post says.
And she definitely delivered on that.
This year’s concept leaned collegiate with university-branded decor, cheerleaders performing choreographed routines between sets, and fun “mock election” awards handed out to designers. It was playful, but still intentional.
One thing that really set the show apart though was its pacing and versatility in entertainment. Rather than a straight runway show, performances by local artists like Taylor Bentley and 22 Da Boat happened between designer sets, keeping the energy from dying out. It made it feel more like a live show than a traditional fashion event.
That said, the crowd didn’t quite meet the moment and was not the best at hyping up the models and designers, even when the MC tried to get them to.
Still, the clothes stood out.
My favorite looks came from Engineered by Dre’s line “I Only Wanna Work With Friends.” Not only is the message strongly relatable to me and my life, but all the elevated workwear was impressive, and showed exactly why the designer has grown so quickly over the past three years.
A newer addition to the brand, kidswear reading “I Only Want To Play With Friends,” nearly stole the show, mostly because the young models carried it with the most natural confidence of the night.
I also really liked Uncommon Breed, which leaned into muted greys and blacks with textured details like acid wash and bold typography. The pieces felt like everyday wear, but still distinct.
Across the board, all of the designers showcased originality, and the models came ready to show.
Honestly though, while the fashion was strong, the best part was the intention behind it. A portion of the proceeds went toward supporting aspiring entrepreneurs ages 17 to 21, grounding the whole event in something bigger.
It felt very Detroit — gritty, creative, collaborative, and rooted in showing up for your people.
This review was published in conjunction with Detroit Metro Times.
