Eugenie Designer Grant
Award: $10,000 USD
Apply Here: 2023 applications closed
Deadline: November 10th, 2023
Summary: Eugenie seeks to uplift and support Detroit-based fashion designers leveraging sustainability in their practice. Eugenie is accepting applications from local designers and brands prioritizing sustainable practices to be awarded a designer grant to pursue a proposed project.
The goal of this designer grant is to strengthen Eugenie’s ties with the local community by providing a local designer with the financial and professional resources to pursue fashion design through the lens of environmental consciousness. As Eugenie works to elevate local designers through monthly pop-ups, workshops, collaborations, visibility, and more, this designer grant is a natural next step that aligns with Eugenie’s values.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be living in the city limits of Detroit, MI. It is preferable that their brand, capsule collection or project also be based within the city limits of Detroit.
- Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Grant must be used to advance an independently owned brand, capsule collection or project in the clothing or accessories category within 12 months of fund dispersal.
- Applicants must prioritize lessening their environmental impact, highlighting any innovative sustainable practices used, within their production process or project that the grant would be used for.
- Each brand or individual is eligible to submit one application.
Application Process:
- Applicants are required to fill out a general submission form with basic information about themselves and their respective brand.
- General submission form can be found here
- Applicants must submit written information* on their respective brand, capsule collection or project proposal incorporating sustainability.
*If the applicant chooses, they may submit a video of their summary outlining their brand and project proposal instead of a written proposal.
Applicants will submit written information as follows:
- Maximum 500-word summary or 5 minute video of their respective brand
- Maximum 1500-word or 15 minute video summary of their project proposal
- Maximum 500-word summary of how the project funds will be spent if granted, outlining the project budget
- Maximum 200-word summary of how the proposed project incorporates innovative, thoughtful design*
- Maximum 200-word summary of how the proposed project incorporates functionality in terms of quality and care*
- Maximum 200-word summary of the impact of the proposed project*
- Maximum 200-word summary of the feasibility of the proposed project and how it will be completed within the time frame and budget constraints*
*Alternatively, the applicant can submit one 5 minute video detailing all of the points
- Applicants must submit 5-10 images that are reflective of what the grant would be used for. This can include sketches, renderings, etc.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection of panelists who are local industry leaders, designers and educators.
- Panelists include: Aki Choklat, Linda Dresner, Endowed Chair in Fashion Design at CCS; Ben Ewy, Vice President of Global Product Design, Research and Development at Carhartt; Deb Ferraro, Vice President of Global Product Development at Carhartt.; Jen Guarino, Founder and CEO of ISAIC; Roslyn Karamoko, Founder and CEO of Détroit is the New Black; Tracy Reese, Founder of Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese; and Gretchen Valade, Co-founder of Eugenie and Sustainability Director of Carhartt
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria
1. Design
- Is the design of the project thoughtful in terms of design? How is innovative design incorporated into the proposed project? What audience is this project desirable for?
2. Quality and care
- Is the project functional for its intended goal?
3. Impact
- How does the project have a positive impact? What does that impact look like? Is it environmental, social, sustainable, etc?
4. Feasibility
- Is it feasible for this project to be completed in the time constraints and financial budget provided?
Applications will be reviewed, and a selection of applicants will move forward to a second round of the review process, where select applicants will present their proposals to the panelists in person. Location and time TBD and announced at a later date.
Once a select group of applicants present their proposals to the panel, one winner will be selected.
Prize:
- The winner will receive a grant of $10,000 USD to pursue their project proposal as outlined in their application.
- The winner will have the opportunity over the 12-month period following the winner announcement to receive one-on-one mentorship sessions with each panelist.
- Once the proposed project is completed, the winner will have the opportunity to showcase their project at an event hosted by Eugenie.