A Spotlight on the Winners
May 19, 2026
Image by Destany Maddox of The Kismet Collective @thekismetcollective
eugenie is a Detroit-based boutique working to cultivate a future of sustainable fashion through their support of brands and designers whose practices are innovative and environmentally conscious. The shop was founded in 2020 by husband and wife, Gretchen Valade and Kevin Steen. This entrepreneurial duo also founded RATHAUS, a production company with offices in Brooklyn and Detroit, and a newly announced vintage workwear brand called Wylie Welling. Their work with eugenie offers a collection of carefully curated garments and accessories, with a particular focus on independent and women-led labels. Visitors of eugenie have the opportunity to browse through products made with natural materials, equitable labor practices and circular design. eugenie’s dedication to sustainability is also realized through regular in-depth brand training sessions and cross-team discussions about the nuances of sustainability in the fashion industry. This push of accountability extends into their community through their initiative to share information and infographics about brands and designers, publish interviews with artists and designers about their sustainable practices, and hold pop-up events that benefit local non-profit organizations.
In 2023, the team launched the eugenie Designer Grant in an effort to elevate local creators through financial and professional support. This grant is a natural extension of their commitment to nurturing a sustainable future through conscious design, seeking to support early or emerging designers from Detroit who work in the fashion, textile, and accessory industries. Panelists look for applicants who have a clear vision, professional experience, and a compelling brand story.
Designers who have been selected as finalists have proposed a wide range of projects, from developing innovative bio-materials to creating interdisciplinary textile books and ethically sourced capsule collections. The recipients of the eugenie Designer Grant so far include Timothy Clark of ROUGH-DRAFT ($10,000 in 2023), Mariah Ruff of RUFF CUT ($10,000 in 2024) and Fernando Gutierrez of Foreign Objects ($5,000 in 2024). In 2026, eugenie partnered with Song United in order to increase the total funding to $20,000 and expand the award to three recipients. A group of seven Detroit-based design professionals delved into the portfolios of over 60 applicants to make selections based on specific criteria:
Design: Is the project thoughtfully designed? How is innovation incorporated into the proposed project? What audience is this project desirable for?
Quality & Care: Is the project functional and aligned with its intended goal?
Impact: How does the project create a positive impact? What does that impact look like? Is it environmental, social, sustainable, etc.?
Feasibility: Can the project be completed within the proposed timeline and financial budget?
Out of seven finalists, Mollie Decker and Michael Sklenka of Object Apparel were granted $10,000 and a year of 1:1 mentorship opportunities with this year’s panelists, Donovan Dewberry of Donovan Dewberry Bridal received $6,000, and Emily Sioma of KIP Studio received $4,000.
eugenie Desisgner Grant Finalists and Panelists. Image by Destany Maddox of The Kismet Collective @thekismetcollective
First place winner, Object Apparel, is an all-gender clothing brand rooted in North Corktown, Detroit, where design and production exist under one roof. Founded in 2015, the label works exclusively with organically grown and ethically produced materials, shaping them into adaptable, enduring garments. Each piece is cut, sewn, and naturally dyed in their self-designed studio. The work reflects the founders’ architectural training, grounded in material integrity and endless adaptability.
Portrait of Mollie Decker & Michael Sklenka
Images courtesy of Object Apparel
Inspired by couture, second place winner, Donovan Dewberry, is known for bold, voluminous silhouettes. The work reimagines the gown as a site of imaginative world-making, amplifying personal narrative through form and scale. Dewberry has brought this vision to runways and exhibitions across the country, including the Gucci Changemakers Initiative here in Detroit. His unique contribution to sustainable bridal design marries romantic memory with intentional making.
Portrait of Donovan Dewberry
Images courtesy of Donovan Dewberry
The third place winner, KIP Studio, is a multi-faceted brand based in Detroit, Michigan, focused on altering, sewing, and innovating with textiles. Best known for its upcycled stem bags, KIP gives discarded textiles new life as thoughtful carriers for flowers. Each stem bag, bouquet cover, and floral charm is hand-sewn and designed for daily use. Whether at the market or in a meadow, KIP Studio keeps the earth close at hand.
Portrait of Emily Sioma
Images courtesy of KIP Studio
2026 eugenie Designer Grant Finalists:
Ali Evans, GODNII Eyewear
Brynn Michel, Poppy Workwear
Donovan Dewberry, Dewberry Bridal
Emily Sioma, Kip Sewing Studio
Marc Mamon, IAmTheWorld Threads
Mollie Decker & Michael Sklenka, Object Apparel
Phillip Hebert & Samantha Pohlen-Hebert, Dos Jefes
2026 panelists:
Aki Choklat
Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design, College for Creative Studies
Eric Hardin
Founder, Today Clothing
Roslyn Karamoko
Retail Strategist & Founder, Détroit is the New Black
Tracy Reese
Founder & Creative Director, Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese
Monika Sinclair
Professor of Teaching, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Wayne State University
Ken Walker
Founder & Head of Design, K. Walker Collective®
Jonathan West
Product Innovation Senior Manager, Carhartt Global Product Innovation
Every year, eugenie publishes information about their upcoming grant opportunities several months before the application deadline via their social media platform and email list. For those preparing to apply next cycle, they keep all of the necessary information viewable on the “Grant” page of our website, linked here. This page also hosts information about past recipients, enabling prospective applicants to get a feel for the type of work that has been chosen in the past.
2024 eugenie Designer Grant Finalists:
Candelaria Nazar, C.NAZAR
Fernando Gutierrez, FOREIGN OBJECTS
James Adams, CON AMOR SANTIAGO
Lia Massey, LIA GABRIELLE ATELIER
Mariah Ruff, RUFF CUT
Nadia Boone, BIOSPOKE
2023 eugenie Designer Grant Finalists:
Alorē Niemi, WORST LADY
India Solomon, FLUID.SPACES
Mollie Decker & Michael Sklenka, OBJECT APPAREL
P.J. Herbert & Samantha Pohlen, DOS JEFES GARMENTS
Timothy Clark, ROUGH-DRAFT®
eugenie’s flagship store is located on the corner of Agnes and Van Dyke in West Village, and their sister store, ARCHIVE by eugenie, is located in the Core City neighborhood of Detroit. ARCHIVE by eugenie functions as a space for timelessness, sustainable fashion and industry design knowledge, blurring the boundaries between store and studio to promote community collaboration as part of the shopping experience.
Learn more about eugenie here.
Learn more about Song United here.