Each year, panelists are selected to represent a wide range of expertise among local industry leaders. The 2026 panelists are:

· 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

Panelists will judge the selected applications and will dedicate one (1) one-on-one mentorship session with the first place recipient at a mutually agreed upon time over the course of the 12-month period.

1. Submit Application: All applications must include the following information:

· Biography: Submit a biography of yourself and your brand or work in a PDF file (up to 500 words) or a video file (up to 2 minutes).

· Project Proposal: Submit a written summary (up to 1500 words) of your brand, capsule collection, or project proposal, incorporating sustainability, feasibility, and a detailed outline of fund usage. AI-generated responses will not be considered. Alternatively, applicants may submit a video (up to 8 minutes) outlining your brand and project proposal instead of a written proposal.

· Visual Reference: Upload 5–10 images (sketches, renderings, etc.) that showcase the project’s potential and how the grant would be used.

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2. Review Process: A panel of local industry leaders, designers, and educators will review all applications based on the following criteria:

· Design: How is thoughtful, innovative design incorporated into the proposed project or brand? What audience is this project or brand desirable for?

· Quality and care: How is the project functional for its intended goal? How much time and consideration went into developing the proposed project and project budget?

· Impact: How does the project have a positive impact? What does that impact look like? Is it environmental, social, academic, etc.?

· Feasibility: How feasible is it for this project to be completed, and within what time constraints and financial budget provided? Is the outlined product and budget for the project possible and practical? Was research done on real cost analysis?

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3. Final Round: The selected 5 finalists will present their proposals in person to the panel at a date to be announced. Finalists must attend in person to be considered.

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4. Recipient Announcement: After the final round of proposal presentations, three recipients will be selected and awarded first, second, and third place grants.

For 2026, the eugenie Designer Grant in partnership with Song United will award a total of $20,000 across three recipients.


First Place:

$10,000 Grant: The first place recipient will receive a grant of $10,000 USD to pursue their project proposal as outlined in their application.

Mentorship: The first place recipient will have the opportunity, over the 12-month period following the winner announcement, to receive one (1) one-on-one mentorship session with each panelist.

Showcase Opportunity: Upon completion of the project, the first place recipient will have the opportunity to present their work at an event hosted by eugenie. This event will be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date within one year of being awarded the grant.

Second Place:

$6,000 Grant: The second place recipient will receive a grant of $6,000 USD to pursue their project proposal as outlined in their application.

Third Place:

$4,000 Grant: The third place recipient will receive a grant of $4,000 USD to pursue their project proposal as outlined in their application.

1. I applied last year. Can I apply again this year?

Yes! We encourage past applicants to apply again this year. If reapplying, please take another look at the project proposal description and review process to give your application the best chance for consideration.

2. Why do I have to live within the city limits of Detroit? How will I prove my address and what if I used to live in Detroit but now live elsewhere?

At this stage, we are only taking applicants residing within the city limits as the grant is specifically designed to uplift a designer from Detroit. If an ID is not available, a piece of printed mail from the last 12 months showing name and address can be used to verify residency. However, please note we will only be asking for verification from finalists. If you believe an exception should be made for your situation, please indicate your significant ties to Detroit in your application.

3. What types of projects will you accept?

Applicants can propose any projects within the apparel and accessories space that follow the guidelines listed in the project proposal description and the review process guidelines.

4. What should I include in my written project proposal?

What you include in your proposal is up to your discretion. However, consideration of the following application criteria is required:

· Design
· Quality and care
· Impact
· Budget
· Feasibility

5. How is sustainability defined for the project proposal process?

eugenie is not prescriptive regarding what sustainability means to a brand or project. Applicants should highlight processes that reduce their impact on the environment and/or contribute a meaningful impact to their community.

Read more about what sustainability means at eugenie on our Sustainability page here.

Examples (not limited to) below:

· Natural fibers or naturally dyed materials used
· Upcycling materials to make new products
· Innovative, eco-friendly approaches toward production
· Positive impact on a local community

6. Who are the panelists who will judge the projects and ultimately provide mentorship for the first place recipient?

· 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

Panelists will judge the selected applications and will dedicate one (1) one-on-one mentorship session with the first place recipient at a mutually agreed upon time over the course of the 12-month period.

7. If I am selected as the winner, how will I receive the grant money?

Grant funds will be deposited into each recipient’s bank account following execution of the grant contract and receipt of their W9 form.

First place will receive $10,000 USD, second place $6,000 USD, and third place $4,000 USD.

8. What will be in the contract? Do I have to spend the money in twelve months and what will eugenie’s involvement be in my project?

The contract will outline the key deliverables and dates identified and agreed upon by both parties. The funds do not need to be spent within twelve months and we will not be auditing the spending. However, we will require proof of progress.

eugenie should be acknowledged in a meaningful way in the final execution of your project. This will vary based on the proposal, but as an example, we’d be expecting something along the lines of “Made in collaboration with eugenie” or “Made with support from eugenie” included in any product descriptions, social media captions, and/or press relating to the project.

9. What will these mentorship sessions look like?

Mentorship sessions will be offered to the first place recipient as 1-hour sessions with each panelist over the 12-month project period. Each session will focus on a specific area of the panelist’s expertise. The grant recipient will have the opportunity to seek advice on aspects of the project including design, marketing, innovation, materials, etc.

10. Is there a timeframe that mentorship sessions need to be scheduled?

Mentorship sessions will need to be scheduled by the first place recipient and each panelist by the end of the 12-month project timeframe.

11. How will applications be judged?

A small internal panel will review all of the applications submitted for the grant and provide a narrowed pool of applicants to all panel members. Panel members will then continue to narrow down a total of 5 applicants who will be asked to present their proposal in person to panel members.

From this group, three recipients will be selected to receive first, second, and third place awards.

12. How will I know if I am a finalist?

You will be contacted via email using the email address provided within the general submission form.

13. What can I use the grant funds for and what is the audit process?

The grant can be used for whatever is needed to progress your proposed project forward in a meaningful way. We will be looking for a clear and feasible plan for the use of the funds in your proposal, including key deliverable dates.

14. I know people from the eugenie team and members of the panel, can I still apply?

Absolutely! Please follow the procedure and do not reach out to us directly about your application.