Content Powered by Hamptons Fashion Week
The DCG Media Group CEO has spent more than over two decades creating platforms that don’t simply follow trends — they create them.
Every major fashion movement begins with someone willing to take the first step.
For Dee Rivera, Founder and CEO of DCG Media Group, being first has never been about recognition — it has always been about creating opportunities where none previously existed.
For more than 25 years, Rivera has built brands, produced world-class fashion events, championed diversity, elevated emerging designers, and developed media platforms that have changed the landscape for independent fashion entrepreneurs. Her personal motto has become the philosophy behind every project she creates:
“To Be the First.”
It is a mindset that has guided one of the most innovative careers in fashion, media, and public relations.
Long before diversity became a mainstream conversation within the fashion industry, Dee Rivera recognized there was an underserved audience of talented Latino designers, entrepreneurs, and creatives who deserved greater visibility.
She transformed that vision into reality by creating LATINISTA®, a pioneering lifestyle and fashion brand that she trademarked and expanded into a magazine, fashion platform, and signature fashion show celebrating Latino excellence.
What began as a single idea quickly evolved into a movement and partnered at the time with IMAN COSMETICS and launched their first beauty line for Latinas.
LATINISTA® became a destination where fashion, culture, business, and media intersected, providing opportunities for designers and entrepreneurs who often lacked national exposure.
Throughout the years, Rivera worked alongside many of today’s celebrated designers, including her longtime friend and internationally recognized CFDA designer Cesar Galindo, affectionately known by Rivera as “my brother from another mother.”
She also helped spotlight and collaborate with celebrated designers including Project Runway Latin America winner Shantall Lacayo, Cenia Paredes, and numerous emerging designers who have since established successful international careers.
“My greatest joy has always been opening doors for others,” Rivera says. “When designers succeed, we all succeed.”
Rivera’s influence extends far beyond fashion production.
She is the author of “Knocking Down Walls in Heels®,” available on Amazon, a motivational book that chronicles her entrepreneurial journey while encouraging women to pursue ambitious goals with confidence and resilience.
Today, she is preparing to release her second business book while simultaneously developing her first children’s book, continuing her mission of inspiring future generations through storytelling.
Her expertise has led to speaking engagements with some of the country’s most recognizable organizations, including: Google. SiriusXM Fishbowl. NBC, Fox, Bloomingdale’s, including conferences, women’s leadership events, and entrepreneurial forums.
Whether addressing executives, aspiring entrepreneurs, or fashion professionals, Rivera consistently shares one message: “Never wait for permission or an invite to the seat at the table to build your dream.”
In 2019, Rivera introduced what many believed was an ambitious idea:
Creating a luxury fashion week specifically designed for the Hamptons.
Rather than replicating New York Fashion Week, Rivera envisioned something entirely different — a destination event combining fashion, luxury retail, media, entertainment, celebrity conversations, wellness, and lifestyle into one immersive experience.
That vision became Hamptons Fashion Week®. “With no investors or sugar daddies, just myself, the vision, and media partners, we did our first event at the Bridgehampton Historic Museum.”
“My goal was to introduce emerging brands to the Hamptons, celebrate diversity on the runway, and create an innovative new event centered entirely on fashion,” Rivera explains. “The Hamptons are synonymous with luxury, making this the perfect destination to bring exceptional designers and fashion enthusiasts together.”
Produced by DCG Media Group, Hamptons Fashion Week® has become one of the East End’s premier fashion and lifestyle experiences.
The 2026 edition returns to Southampton on Saturday, August 22, featuring an extraordinary day of designer runway presentations, luxury shopping, celebrity conversations, beauty activations, gourmet experiences, live entertainment, red carpet interviews, and the annual Fashion Icon Awards.
“We want guests to experience an entire day of fashion, culture, shopping, entertainment, and discovery,” Rivera says. “The runway is only one chapter of the experience. This year we are thrilled to welcome incredible new sponsors, luxury brands, and partners, and we have some exciting surprises in store for our ticket holders.”
Creating More Than A Fashion Show
Rivera understands today’s consumers want experiences — not simply events.
“This has not always been easy. Unfortunately, in the past we have partnered with not so great partners who did not keep their promises and we had to clean up the mess on Aisle 6 and had ripple effects… but I believe in Karma and I’m sure they are reaping what they have sown… This said, we are being extremely picky moving on!”
Her carefully curated programming includes luxury marketplaces, designer pop-up boutiques, beauty and wellness activations, artisan exhibits, fashion installations, cocktails, gourmet tastings, media interviews, networking lounges, celebrity meet-and-greets, sponsor activations, and immersive brand experiences.
“My goal has always been to create opportunities,” Rivera explains. “I want designers to present beautiful collections, but I also want them meeting editors, buyers, stylists, influencers, retailers, investors, and future customers.”
That philosophy has become the defining characteristic of Hamptons Fashion Week®.
Rivera’s entrepreneurial spirit was perhaps most evident during one of the world’s most uncertain periods.
In 2020, while nearly every major fashion event had been canceled because of the pandemic, Rivera boldly launched Times Square Fashion Week®, becoming one of the only producers to present a live fashion experience during Covid-19.
Supported by the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, the event demonstrated her belief that innovation thrives during adversity.
Many questioned the decision.
Rivera simply moved forward.
By 2023, Times Square Fashion Week® welcomed more than 10,000 attendees, transforming one of the world’s most iconic destinations into an international celebration of fashion, culture, entertainment, and diversity.
“It reminded me that impossible is often just another word for something that hasn’t been done yet,” Rivera says.
Expanding the Fashion Calendar
Never content with standing still, Rivera continues to introduce new concepts that redefine destination fashion experiences.
Among her latest ventures is Hamptons Swim Week®, an exciting extension of the Hamptons Fashion Week® umbrella that showcases luxury swimwear, resort collections, wellness brands, and the lifestyle synonymous with the East End.
The launch reflects Rivera’s ability to recognize emerging trends while continuously expanding opportunities for designers and sponsors.
Honoring Fashion’s Legacy While Building Its Future
One hallmark of Rivera’s programming is her commitment to celebrating both legendary designers and emerging talent on the same stage.
The 2026 Hamptons Fashion Week® lineup reflects that philosophy, featuring internationally recognized designers alongside rising independent labels.
Celebrity designer Cesar Galindo, Flora
Marteen, Sunskaara, Wendy Quintero, Baccio
Couture, and other innovative brands each
contribute unique perspectives rooted in
craftsmanship, culture, luxury, and creativity.
This year’s prestigious Fashion Icon Award will honor legendary American designer Jeffrey Banks, whose extraordinary career spans more than five decades.
Guests will enjoy an intimate fireside conversation with audience with a Q&A moderated by Fashion Veteran & Editor, Constance White, an exclusive book signing, VIP meet-and-greet, and the presentation of the 2026 Hamptons Fashion Week® Fashion Icon Award.
“Emerging designers deserve to learn from the legends who paved the way,” Rivera says. “When those generations meet, something truly magical happens.”
Dee’s background in public relations has shaped every aspect of Hamptons Fashion Week®.
Rather than producing a one-day event, she creates year-long visibility for participating designers through editorial features, television interviews, celebrity coverage, digital campaigns, photography, influencer partnerships, and strategic media placements.
As Hamptons Fashion Week® has grown, Rivera has watched others attempt to imitate the platform she has spent years building. She remains unfazed.
“I have to laugh when I see groups attempting to imitate what we have spent years creating,” she says with a smile. “Originality matters — and so does respecting the hard work, creativity, and professionalism that go into building a brand. Hamptons Fashion Week® is my baby, and I will always protect what we’ve created.”
Looking Toward 2027
For Rivera, every successful event becomes the foundation for something even bigger.
Her team is already preparing exciting announcements for 2027, including expanded programming, new international partnerships, and innovative experiences that will continue elevating Hamptons Fashion Week® as one of the country’s premier luxury fashion destinations.
“I am incredibly proud of everything we’ve built,” Rivera says. “But we’re just getting started. The best is still ahead.”
As an entrepreneur, producer, author, speaker, publicist, and visionary, Dee Rivera has spent more than two decades proving that the most powerful way to shape the future is to create it yourself.
For her, success has never been measured solely by sold-out events or media headlines.
It is measured by the designers discovered, the businesses launched, the opportunities created, and the barriers broken.
After all, if there’s one lesson Dee Rivera has demonstrated throughout her remarkable career, it is this:
Don’t wait for history to happen. Create it.