The Upperow Luxury Fashion House Opens in New Center

Watch out, Ralph Lauren. Detroit has a new luxury fashion label with big style and even bigger plans. Dr. LaToya Thompson and her husband Anthony unveiled The Upperow last month at a ribbon cutting ceremony in New Center, with the assistance of a $40,000 grant from Motor City Match.

“MCM helped us with half the financing, and we self-funded the rest,” says LaToya. “We hope to have a full manufacturing facility by 2025.” The Thompsons started their custom suiting business in 2012 to fill the style gaps they found at major retailers.

What began as a way to create their family’s personal style evolved into a cut-and-sew fashion house that aims to make waves in the fashion sphere. “I could never find anything for my boys with that preppy nautical look I wanted, so we decided to have someone make it for us before my husband said, ‘Let’s just make it ourselves!’”

The Upperow offers dresses, shirts, skirts, blazers, children’s clothes, athleisure and accessories. LaToya says that she and her husband want The Upperow to bring a sense of relaxation and luxury back to the city. “My husband and I are both from Detroit. We both love being out on the water, traveling and fishing and boating,” she says. “We wanted people to realize they have access to the luxury lifestyle that style denotes.”

The Upperow’s slogan is “Together Above All.” LaToya says the new venture has been a learning process but that the community support is “blowing me away.” She says, “I’m a perfectionist, but learning to deal with the powers that be in the city let me be OK with the process and take the time I needed to refine the product to what the customer wants.” Anthony adds, “New York has Gucci and everyone else – Detroit now has The Upperow.”

3031 W. Grand Blvd.Ste. 180, Detroit