Hey you,
I’ve got a story for you. It started when I moved back to Detroit after living in Chicago for ten years. I wanted to be closer to friends and family so I packed my bags and came back to “my roots.” But I never expected the city to take hold of me the way it did. All at once, Detroit felt familiar to me-- like I belonged here instantly and without question.
I started exploring on my own. I began fielding questions from friends: What’s the best restaurant? Where should we try this weekend? J’adore Detroit evolved out of my desire to be a resource for people like me who were moving back to the city (or who’d been here their whole lives) and didn’t know where to go or what to do. I wanted to make people fall deeply in love with the Detroit I was encountering.
And that’s where you come into the story. We crafted this site to be the ultimate insider’s guide to all things Detroit.
We promise to keep things unconventional and flavorful (in pure Detroit fashion) through curated content and diverse pieces on the regular. We’re here to dish out the best of the best when it comes to fashion, wellness, arts, and culture-- so dig in.
Consider us to be your trusty guides and on-call locals when it comes to Detroit. May you explore without hesitation and have your own intense love affair with the city we call home.
Xx,
"Detroit is the most beautiful juxtaposition between darkness and light. There’s an intoxicating sense of magic and hope in this place. This city holds grit, resilience, and love within its lines. At the heart of it is the pulse of artistry and industry coming together as fuel to drive our fiery spirits forward. We’re evolving as we go. We’re Detroit and we’re here to stay.”
•••
Candice Simons
MEET CANDICE
Candice Simons is the mastermind behind j'adore Detroit. If you have some time to listen with a glass of wine, she’ll tell you all the reasons she fell so hard for Detroit after moving back to Michigan. J'adore Detroit is the product of that intense and unexpected love affair.
This insider’s guide to the gritty city is the cultivation of all the things Candice stands for—good causes, local innovators, authentic culture, and entrepreneurs on a mission to make Detroit vibrant and vital. Along with numerous girl boss accolades, Candice is also a restaurateur and the founder of an award-winning advertising agency with its roots planted deep in the city.
As her footprint expanded, Candice made it her mission to create a space where her eclectic taste and desire to host could come together. From that, The Loft was born. Candice loves curating a space that feels like home-- to Detroit natives and transplants, alike-- while crafting experiences and events that bind brands and people together.
When she’s not working and checking out the new Detroit scenes, you can find Candice on your local news channel, dreaming up and designing unexpected pairings for her collection (always a mix between classic, playful, and eclectic), traveling the world (Bali is her favorite place), or hanging with one (or all) of her 15 (yes, 15) best friends who’ve known each other since preschool.
You can follow her outside of work on Instagram.
MEET LAUREN
Lauren Van Haaren is our resident foodie and cocktail guru. Her personality is equal parts girly + grit, just like Detroit! Lo is about the Detroit hustle. As our hype girl marketing + communications manager, Lo is always looking for ways to connect local entrepreneurs and the media.
The grind doesn't stop there-- Lo is a PR gal by day and party planner at night. This former bartender turned event planner for The Loft handles everything from the first plans to the last cheers. When she is not documenting her life in the D, you can find her riding her bike around town or having backyard hangouts with friends.
Lauren is here to give you the Lo-down on food, fashion, and all things bizarre (but beautiful) in Detroit.
FOLLOW LATELY WITH LO HERE AND ON Instagram.
