Boutique Spotlight: Coup D'état
Recently relocated to Detroit's buzziest new development, the Lantern, Coup D'état is an eclectic, curated clothing and lifestyle boutique helmed by Angela Wisniewski. The shop stocks a treasure trove of wares from designers like Eckhaus Latta, Sandy Liang, and Collina Strada, as well as local brands like r4tgrll, 707 Clothing Heaven, and Well Done Goods.
The Lantern was completed in the spring of last year by New York–based design firm OMA. Their award-winning team reimagined a collection of structures, including a vacant bakery and warehouses, into an innovative, mixed-use creative complex. The building's façade is a concrete masonry wall drilled with 1,500 holes filled with cylindrical glass elements to create a glowing effect at night, giving the Lantern its moniker. In addition to housing local businesses like Coup D'état, the space serves as headquarters for local arts nonprofits and includes several artist studios.
We chatted with Angela about the big move, Coup D'état's new community, and Detroit's thriving creative scene, below.
What prompted your big move to The Lantern building?
Though my previous location was historic and beautiful and gave Coup D'état an amazing start, the brick-and-mortar retail landscape is becoming increasingly more challenging year after year in a digitally-obsessed, post-Covid world. I had been considering a relocation for a few years after opening in 2019, and everything seemed to align at the right time for this space. As someone who lives, works, and raises a family here, it's important to me to keep my business in the city of Detroit proper. Now that I have more knowledge and experience—paired with an exciting surrounding arts and culture-focused community—I felt this was the best for Coup D'état as it evolves as a business and brand. The move was, of course, a lot of work, and I am really optimistic. The developers put incredible thought and intention into the neighborhood and space.
What’s the vibe like in Detroit for independent boutiques and artists in Detroit?
Detroit has a vast, diverse, and beautiful art and design ecosystem. The independent retail list—from contemporary to vintage—continues to grow here, and it's inspiring to see, despite all of the challenges that small business owners face in this climate. People really show up for and support each other, and there is a brilliant community of artists, designers, musicians, DJs, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
Detroit has its own distinctive style, too. I can always spot a true Detroiter a mile away. I recall Cathy Horyn writing a decade ago, "Great fashion is always made by two things, I think: money and racial diversity. Detroit has got style because of an industry like cars in its history, plus it’s racially mixed." Personally, though, I don't think you need to have money to have great style, and I love that Detroit is diverse. I believe true style is in you, not on you. At Coup D'état, both ideas are important.
How is this space different from your former shop?
Aside from going from a neoclassical exterior aesthetic to a modern one, I'd say the most significant difference is the neighborhood synergy among businesses and creatives that is crucial for brick-and-mortar retail to thrive in 2025. Detroit is a very pocketed city, so having spaces and places near one another is necessary for long-term growth and success. Though Coup D'état will always be a destination because of its niche offerings, being surrounded and supported by a growing network of people with an affinity for art and design is wonderful. My shop is nestled in a newly developing neighborhood called Little Village, an emerging cultural corridor fostering an inclusive community centered around the arts. Guided by four principles—art, architecture, landscape, and water—the diverse initiatives span the grounds, emphasizing both historic preservation and contemporary adaptation in their multifarious designs and offerings. The neighborhood mission uses art as a medium for inspiration and creativity.
Who are some of your favorite neighbors in The Lantern?
All of them! Next door, I have a cute bar called COLLECT, and there are always a lot of families there, which I adore. And a letterpress studio called Signal Return, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing and building a community center for art, craft, design and collaboration. PASC is another great neighbor, an art and design studio and gallery showcasing incredible artists with disabilities. We also have several artist studios upstairs, and I know many of them. Assemble Sound is a Detroit music company that provides sync licensing, artist development, artist management, marketing, and label services. I'm excited for Cafe Franco to open later this year—it'll be great for early/daytime energy and traffic. We have an incredible courtyard in the center of the site, which, during the warmer months, serves as an excellent space for connection.
Coup D’état
