SPOTLIGHT by eugenie

After a thoughtful renovation, we are thrilled to share the official reopening of our flagship store in West Village, Detroit! Our boutique stands as a beacon of meticulous curation and environmental consciousness, showcasing primarily independent, women-owned labels committed to reducing their impact on both people and the planet.

The art of jewelry is an intimate expression of identity—a bold declaration of self in a world that often demands compromise. It exists at the intersection of strength and softness, where power is tempered with vulnerability, and individuality is woven with connection. Each piece carries the stories of its wearer, an evolving testament to life's journey and the quiet act of taking up space unapologetically. At the heart of this philosophy lies a brand that redefines beauty and purpose, crafting designs with mindfulness, sustainability, and profound sensitivity. Meet: BRUCE.

In this conversation, designer Laura Powers of BRUCE shares how jewelry can serve as both a vehicle for personal empowerment and a commitment to ethical responsibility, celebrating the complexities of femininity—bold yet graceful, powerful yet vulnerable. For Laura, each piece is not only a reflection of personal transformation but also a deep dedication to sustainability. This interview explores Laura's journey of creating jewelry that embodies strength, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity—a practice of moving through the world as our truest selves.

As both a mother and a maker, local artist Jessie Hicks explores transformation through her creative practice. Navigating the tension between intention and reception, she brings a nuanced sensibility to the everyday. Working across a range of mediums—including clay, paint, and food—Jessie’s art emerges from a deeply rooted sense of self. Whether kneading dough or clay, she follows the rhythms that come most naturally to her.

A former owner and culinary force behind Detroit-based award-winning cafés Astro and Ochre, Jessie has since shifted her focus to her solo studio practice, Vernor Pots. Operating out of a converted gas station in Southwest Detroit, her studio now serves as a new kind of community hub—this time centered around ceramics. Living and creating in a city known for its resilience and reinvention, Jessie’s work is inseparable from place, grounded in the tactile, the relational, and the cyclical. Across all her forms—ceramics, painting, baking, mothering—she moves with an embodied awareness of time, transformation, and the personal imprint of the hand.

Since opening in 2020, eugenie has grown from a single boutique into an ever-evolving ecosystem of conscious design, creative collaboration, and community. Each chapter in our journey has reflected an ongoing dialogue between sustainability and style that honors craft, amplifies independent voices, and reimagines what a modern retail space can be. We have woven purpose and practice into the ethos of our brand through various initiatives, including producing thought-provoking short films, platforming numerous local creatives, and launching our annual eugenie Designer Grant.

Every evolution of eugenie has been guided by a shared intention: to shape a future where sustainability transcends factory floors and becomes an integral part of the small, everyday moments in our lives.

Rooted in the soil of Detroit, Bree Hietala’s floral practice unfolds through acts of care, attention, and reverence for the fleeting. As the co-founder of Ghost Acre, an urban farm she began with her husband in 2013, Bree’s relationship to flowers is inseparable from place, time, and community. What began as a commitment to food justice has since blossomed into Mother of Pearl, a floral design studio shaped by shared labor and the slow rhythms of the land.

Sourcing exclusively from their own farm and a close network of regional growers, Mother of Pearl’s arrangements resist the globalized floral industry in favor of something more intimate and responsive. Each composition captures a moment in time as buds break open, petals unfurl, and foliage turns, embracing impermanence as a form of beauty rather than something to be resisted. Bree’s work honors not only the bloom at its peak, but also the quiet poetry of its passing.

At the heart of Bree’s practice is adoration for the ecosystems that sustain us, for the collaborators and friends who make the work possible, and for the ever-changing seasons of life itself. As a grower, florist, and mother, she approaches flowers as companions within a broader creative ecosystem that continues to shift, soften, and expand. In this conversation, Bree reflects on building a practice rooted in relationship, designing in harmony with nature’s cycles, and finding meaning in what is temporary, tender, and deeply alive.

Where we come from is knit together by a constellation of people, animals, plants, soil, stories—a textured weave of relations that form our sense of place and self. For Alice James, founder of About Face Detroit, place is both something we inherit and something we create. Placemaking happens in the space between where we come from and what we believe we can become.

Alice grew up on Detroit's east side, a place she left and returned to after decades away. Back on familiar soil, she found herself immersed in dense layers of historical context. Amid old stories and wilted promises, there were persistent signs of vibrancy: a thriving network of people dedicated to their homes, their blocks, and their neighborhood. Yet, despite the abundance of community care, this place bore the wear of time.

With her two daughters, Jade and Mina, Alice formed a nonprofit to respond to the needs around them. About Face Detroit was formed to cultivate beauty, dignity, and structural sustainability. With Alice as the visionary and her daughters as the hands, they brought the power of family to bear on the future of their community. Together, they now work to transform the soil, structures, and stories around them.

About Face Detroit turns neglected spaces into sites of devotion through home repair, urban gardening, and litter clean-ups. Each project layers into the next, modeling a placemaking practice that connects sustained relationships with sustainable restoration. In this conversation, Alice reflects on her roots and the collective power of community care.

In the fall of 2020, we invited our neighbor, Simone DeSousa Gallery, to collaborate on SPOTLIGHT by eugenie.

While eugenie was transitioning into a women’s boutique, SPOTLIGHT by eugenie was an effort to activate our space and amplify artistic voices. The series was built to honor how the space existed for the past 10 years as a gallery and was intentional to lean into the history of the Cass Corridor neighborhood, celebrating and connecting Detroit’s artists, art, and design.

For three months, a new artist was featured in the boutique's window each month, starting with Carole Harris followed by Jova Lynne and Tyanna Buie.

While adapting to current health and safety guidelines, viewers were able enjoy the art display from the patio in front of eugenie at 444. W. Willis St. Detroit, MI

eugenie is our dream...

More than just a retail store, eugenie was built to be a space where creatives could collaborate, have conversations, be supported, learn and/or teach, try new things, or test out new ideas. A place that is open-minded yet with self-imposed guidelines - in the best way possible - that allow you to reach, research, and be innovative all while being responsible and sustainable.

It's a space for designers, artists, style, business, continuous education, inspiration, and most of all, we hope everyone who steps in feels welcomed, comfortable, and enjoys what and who you are surrounded by.

This is our dream, and it's only just begun.

We worked with an amazing group of people to bring this magical video to life. Please enjoy <3

Thank you to everyone involved:

Featuring: Amanda Sinishtaj

Directed by: Kevin Steen Cinematography: Andrew Amine Producer and Styling: Hannah Mulligan EP's: Alexandra Byer and Gretchen Valade Copywriter: Jeanne Janutol The Voice: Hannah Mulligan AC: Jonathan Patterson Makeup and Hair: Jessica Pudelek Edit: Kevin Steen Color: Mikey Pehanich Props: Detroit Prop Studio

Music: Babe Rainbow and Sporto Kantes

The following images were photographed by Christina Stoever in the Summer of 2021.

Model: Rebecca Hernandez

eugenie is checking in. Now shop eugenie’s downtown pop up The Siren Hotel.

Starring: @anahing_

Director: Kevin Steen Production: @rathausfilms EP: Alexandra Byer Cinematographer @taylormcintosh Eugenie Brand: @gretchenvalade Stylist and Co-Producer: @hannahmulligan Co-Producer: Margot Guicheteau HMU: @Ghost_Artistry PA: @prenstigram Props: @detroitpropper Receptionist: @thaddeustimothy Editor: @Shanepford @hiatus.post Colorist: @mikeypackge @blacksmithvfx Color Assist: @actuallygoodwin Location: @sirenhotel

Music: The Rebels Of Tijuana "Asile" Hannah Williams & The Affirmations "Tame in the Water"

I am so happy to have our first Designer Spotlight be of Tracy Reese, designer and founder of the brand Hope For Flowers! Such a dear friend to Eugenie, let alone such a bright light in the Sustainable Fashion world. We are honored to have her garments in our assortment, and – if I can speak for Detroit – we are so lucky she has decided to move home, bringing her beauty and sparkle to our local fashion scene and community.

You can feel her passion and her genuine nature when she speaks. If you can’t tell by her words, you can see through her actions that Tracy is as true as it gets. For lack of a better phrase, she is someone who practices what she preaches. On top of all of that, she understands the realities of the fashion industry and the impact on our planet and communities, yet she is optimistic about the future.

Through this interview you will learn that for Tracy there is a common focus: People. The environment and human rights issues are incredibly important to her, as are the workers making her clothing in the supply chain, the people designing her clothing alongside her at their headquarters, the customer who is purchasing and wearing her clothing, and the community that she is surrounded by.

Tracy’s background is very versatile when it comes to understanding design, production, and consumer insights. Her designs came from a pure, intrinsic, and creative place. She values art, design, and being inspired by museums and history. She also has a passion for the process of creating a garment, as well as the background and knowledge of the techniques and methods of sewing, so she can speak the same language as her supply chain partners. On top of all of that, she has been able to refine and be intentional in her designs, understanding just who it is she is creating these design for. Answer is: you!

I can’t even begin to describe how inspiring it is for someone to close their successful fashion line all in the name of people and the planet and to start fresh. It’s a very brave thing to do.

Tracy was generous enough to let us into her studio and ask her some questions! Hannah Mulligan from Eugenie and photographer Christian Najjar spent an afternoon with her and captured it below. I hope you will enjoy reading this interview, and our first Designer Spotlight!

How Yoga Creates Community

Photography by Christian Najjar

Our first Community Spotlight is Amina Daniels from Live Cycle Delight!

When you meet Amina, you realize right from the start that she is a force. Mind, body, and community is what she stands for. Celebrating their 5 year anniversary of their second location, Live Cycle Delight (LCD) & Live Cycle Delight Hot (LCD Hot), are both located just a short walking distance away from each other in West Village, Detroit.

When you go to any LCD or LCD Hot class, it is very likely you will see Amina there, in fact, she will probably be taking the class alongside you. She works day in and out to bring her community the best instructors, classes, and atmosphere. During the pandemic, Amina worked tirelessly to make sure her community was able to practice their regular classes in a safe way. She provided online and outdoor classes, and even took her cycling outdoors, leading her classes on bike rides throughout the city of Detroit.

At Eugenie, we believe it’s just as important to take care of your mind and body as it is to make conscious efforts in understanding how your actions and purchases impact the environment and community, local or otherwise. We appreciate Amina’s inclusive approach to wellness as well as her amazing style and are happy to share with you more about what she does in the conversation that is to follow!

At eugenie, we're committed to building authentic connections with our talented designers, passionate collaborators, and valued community members. We keep things down-to-earth with local pop-ups, emerging designer grants, and a welcoming atmosphere in our storefront. Curious about what goes on behind the scenes? Join us for a laid-back look at the inspiring people and processes behind eugenie.

People Process Planet: Textiles from Women's Hands to Our Homes

Photography courtesy of Studio Variously

Textiles are the gentle web of support holding our homes, bodies, and communities together. They have the ability to change our perceptions, sensory experiences, and the stories we carry in and beyond our own lives. After decades of experience working with the transformative power of textiles, Anjali Purohit decided to build a brand that binds culture and craftsmanship together through handmade home goods and accessories; Meet: Studio Variously.

Purohit is a designer, activist, mother, and first-generation immigrant based out of Eugenie’s home state, Michigan. She grew up immersed in the rich architectural influence of Ahmedabad, India where her affinity for material experience and history was expertly formed and deeply nourished. Her dedication to promoting craftsmanship with integrity took her across the world to multiple countries, where she honed her skills, passion, and commitment to sustainability. She has been a leading voice for ethical production, natural material usage, and the empowerment of women throughout the textile supply chain.

Today, Purohit lives in Metro-Detroit with her husband and two sons, where she explores what it means to build a life, home, and business that remain rooted in the stories and practices of her heritage. Each collection from Studio Variously embodies a delicate sense of the history, labor, and intentionality that Purohit infuses in every step of the design process. Bringing home one of her pieces is an invitation to slow down and appreciate our own deep interconnection with the many people and plants influencing our lives from across the world.

Join us in this Spotlight where we interview Purohit herself and dive into the inspirations, hard work, and sustainable visions behind Studio Variously!

A Season of Gratitude and a Celebration of Sustainability

In the festive spirit of the holiday season, the eugenie team has chosen to spotlight some of our most celebrated and sought-after brands of the year, featuring names such as Rachel Comey, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Ound, Are Studio, and more. Collaborating with our vibrant community of Detroit creatives, we transformed the studio at Eightfold Collective into a welcoming reflection of the eugenie essence: chic, conscientious, and comfortable. The palette of rich, earthy browns complemented by soft, modern pinks provides the perfect backdrop for the familiar elevated aesthetics that define our brand. The golden hues and bright spirits captured here encapsulate the energy that eugenie is carrying into the new year. As we look ahead, may the coming year be abundant in mindful moments, creative sparks, and timeless garments that endure for many generations to come.

Directors: Kevin Steen, Gretchen Valade Photographer: Peter Larson Photo Assistant: Jesse Marianut Makeup: Ashlyn Sinishtaj Wardrobe Stylist: Micah Egnater Brand and Creative: Jaclyn Lieder Models: Rachelle Economy, Aaliya Davidson

At eugenie, we're committed to building authentic connections with our talented designers, passionate collaborators, and valued community members. We keep things down-to-earth with local pop-ups, emerging designer grants, and a welcoming atmosphere in our storefront. Curious about what goes on behind the scenes? Join us for a laid-back look at the inspiring people and processes behind eugenie.