For years, the Short North has been heralded for its art, culinary and entertainment offerings… all steeped in a healthy appreciation of independence. Over the last few years, however, the Short North has been quickly building a strong reputation on a different front, fashion.

It seems there have always been fashion offerings in the district (Columbus Barber and Beauty began in 1936, Byzantium is fast approaching their 25th anniversary, Loot just crossed the 20-year mark, and Torso and The Garden are celebrating 10 years of success). The Bohemian spirit and artistic flair of the Short North nurture the expressive nature of fashion… and the adventure of defining personal style.

In the last few years, however, fashion has really begun to make a visible impact on the Short North mix. Today, scores of boutiques pepper the strip. On the clothing side, the list now includes Rowe, {Milk Bar}, Paradise Garage, G&Co, Loot, Substance, Emperor’s Newest Clothes, Flower Child, Torso, Tiger Tree, Lady Bird, Saavy On a Shoestring, Measure of a Man, Take 2 Apparel, American Apparel, Lululemon and Jinny. The roster has become synonymous with the Columbus fashion scene. Keeping pace with the clothing, a formidable ensemble of accessories, cosmetics, beauty care and salon businesses has also developed, including: Byzantium, Collier West, Columbus Eyeworks, Image Optical, Global Gallery, Max the Salon, Waldo’s On High, Lai Boom, Phia Salon, Mukha Custom Cosmetics & Medi-spa, Luxe de Vie and Columbus Barber & Beauty.

That’s nearly 30 fashion destinations, and I’m sure I’m missing a few. It seems new boutiques are opening monthly… next on the block is “Go Figure” at the old CounterCulture space.

The Short North’s stature as a fashion destination made headlines nationally not too long ago in the New York Times Style Magazine. Headline: “Columbus Cool” The article spotlighted a host of the District’s boutiques and touted Columbus as the new “Style Capital” of the Midwest. In the latest issue of Columbus Monthly, Short North fashion takes up a full 7-pages in “Shop Talk: Spring Fashion 2009.” The article features shop owners modeling their own fashions and sharing tips on current fashion trends. Jin Fillinger (Jinny), Cindy Zafar and Goutam Biswas (G&Co.), Christina Getachew (Substance), Michelle Woljevach (The Emperor’s Newest Clothes) and Maren Roth (Rowe) are spotlighted.

If you haven’t been in the Short North for a while, or haven’t taken a stroll from end to end, you might be surprised by the changes. You might also be surprised how well the fashion scene fits you.

Morgan has put together a bit of an overview of the boutiques with a spring fashion series of her own which is now posted on shortnorth.org. You can take a peek with a click. Enjoy.

Last night Juli Rogers and I kicked off the weekend going to a reception at Rivet Gallery. Laura and Scott Kuenzli were launching one of the more “unique” art exhibits we’ve had in the District for a while: Darkness Into Light. We strolled in around 7:00. Things were just getting started. Laura was engaged with a few other early arrivals. We made our way to the bar set up for this special reception, grabbed a Magic Hat pils and some noshes courtesy of Barrel 44 and slowly began taking in the experience.

The exhibition features selected images from “counter culture” photographers Jeffery Scott, John Santerineross, Robyn Von Swank, Silent View and Chas Ray Krider. The images, most with mature themes, range from ethereal, hazy black and white to ultra crisp, vibrant color. There is a spiritual quality to the collection. Subjects touch on relationships, dreams, role playing and fetishes. Each image carefully stylized by the artist. As fascinating as the photos were, however, the centerpiece of the exhibit was the object d’art created from the skull of a 500 year old Tibetan monk.

To call Yama, Tibetan God of Death a pin-hole camera is rather like calling La Sagrada Familia a building. Yama, created by Wayne Martin Belger, is truly a labor of love and an amazing work of art. It has to be studied slowly to appreciate the astounding design, the quality of the craftsmanship and the exquisite materials, including: turquoise, sapphires, opals and rubies in addition to metalwork interfusing brass, gold, silver, and titanium among others.

As we absorbed the detail of the piece and beauty of the exhibit, a thought entered my mind: “How far the north end of the Short North has come these last 10 years.” Where once primarily thrift shops and empty store fronts dominated, now avant garde businesses such as Rivet are taking hold. You see it in Milk Bar (one of Columbus’ fashion hot spots directly across the street). You see it in What the Rock?! and Surly Girl. Even Monkeys Retreat is getting a makeover. Throughout the area experiential destinations now anchor the north end of the district: Skully’s, Liquid, Bodega, Yoga On High, Byzantium, the list goes on.

As the Jackson on High continues to spring forth (at 4th and High), is there any doubt that the north end will soon be rivaling the south end for the center of attention?

With Rivet setting the standard this weekend, I have no doubt. This Gallery Hop, treat yourself to a new view. Head north.

Darkness into Light will be on display from February 7 - 28. Due to the sensitive nature of Wayne Martin Belger’s work, the Yama showpiece will only be on display each Saturday until the show closes. For a private viewing of the piece, please contact the gallery.

Rivet: 1200 N High St • 614.294.8697