After a rigorous judging and interview process and with the help of industry leaders, eugenie has chosen the first place recipeint to receive $10,000 and runner up to receive $5,000.
Mariah Ruff of RUFF CUT was awarded $10,000 USD as the first-place recipient of the eugenie Designer Grant.
RUFF CUT is a brand built on the principles of deconstruction and reconstruction, encouraging wearers to embrace individuality, radical self-acceptance, and reinvention. By breaking down old identities, the brand empowers people to rebuild themselves with authenticity and confidence. Born from Mariah’s Detroit roots, RUFF CUT reflects her commitment to creativity and self-expression, offering a distinct aesthetic that challenges conventional fashion.
As part of the award, Mariah will receive one-on-one mentorship sessions over the next 12 months with the grant jurors, a group of experts within Detroit’s fashion industry: Aki Choklat, Ben Ewy, Deb Ferraro, Jen Guarino, Roslyn Karamoko, Tracy Reese, and eugenie co-founder Gretchen Valade. These mentors will provide personalized guidance and industry insight to help refine Mariah’s work and support continued growth.
Mariah will also have the opportunity to showcase her project through a special event hosted at eugenie.
Fernando Gutierrez of Foreign Objects was awarded $5,000 USD as the second-place recipient of the eugenie Designer Grant.
Known for its dedication to craftsmanship and consistent quality, Foreign Objects is an independent, maker-owned sewing project that explores cultures on the fringe of society. The brand highlights how subcultures express their identities through objects that carry their own particular cultural significance. Foreign Objects shapes community defined by a shared sense of alienation from the modern world—a tribe for objective foreigners.
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
The eugenie Designer Grant seeks to elevate Detroit-based design by providing local creatives with financial and professional support for projects focused on environmental and/or social sustainability. Through eugenie's ongoing efforts, including pop-ups, workshops, and collaborations, our team continues to foster a vibrant, sustainable fashion industry in Detroit. This grant is a natural extension of eugenie’s commitment to nurturing a sustainable future through conscious design and ongoing innovation in the fashion industry.
Credits:
Photography:
Destany Maddox @thekismetcollective