In partnership with Song United, the 2026 eugenie Designer Grant was expanded to $20,000 in total funding, awarded across three Detroit-based designers or brands focused on environmental and social sustainability. The first-place recipient will also receive professional mentorship from our panel of industry leaders.
Mollie Decker and Michael Sklenka of Object Apparel were awarded $10,000 USD as the first-place recipients of the eugenie Designer Grant.
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.
As part of the award, Mollie and Michael 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, Eric Hardin, Roslyn Karamoko, Tracy Reese, Monika Sinclair, Ken Walker, and Jon West. These mentors will provide personalized guidance and industry insight to help refine their work and support continued growth.
Mollie and Michael will also have the opportunity to showcase their project through a special event hosted at eugenie.
Donovan Dewberry of Donovan Dewberry Bridal was awarded $6,000 USD as the second-place recipient of the eugenie Designer Grant.
Inspired by couture, Detroit designer 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.
Emily Sioma of KIP Studio was awarded $4,000 USD as the second-place recipient of the eugenie Designer Grant.
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.
Ali Evans, GONII
Brynn Michel, Poppy Work Wear
Donovan Dewberry, Donovan Dewberry Bridal
Emily Sioma, KIP Studio
Marc Mamon, IATW
Mollie Decker & Michael Sklenka, Object Apparel
Phillip Hebert & Samantha Pohlen-Hebert, Dos Jefes Garments
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.
Photography by The Kismet Collective, @thekismetcollective