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    Brigade Opens in Short North

    Brigade, a retailer specializing in independent clothing labels, recently opened its first Columbus location in the Short North.

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    In addition to menswear and womenswear, the 1,700-square-foot store at 607 N. High St. carries accessories, like hats, scarves and bags, and shoes for both sexes.

    “We try to focus on designers who are not in the mainstream, who believe in quality over quantity, and who actually create their own pieces artistically and don’t just knock them off,” says Brian O’Neill, the store’s founder and owner.

    At any given time, Brigade offers merchandise by 20 to 30 designers, including Fillipa K, Nom De Guerre, Shipley & Halmos, Alexander Wang, and Wrath Arcane− its in-house label. (Brigade doesn’t currently stock any local indie designers, but O’Neill says the store is always open to new partnerships.)

    Co-owned by O’Neill and Sean Bilovecky, the Wrath Arcane line consists of T-shirts, button-down shirts, sweaters, hoodies, jackets, coats, belts, suspenders, and the odd pair of shoes.

    O’Neill says the laidback Midwestern aesthetic –”the opposite of trendy fashion”− serves as inspiration for the line, which is designed by Bilovecky and Dana Hardy in Cleveland and manufactured in a military factory in Chicago, as well as a knit-and-denim factory in San Francisco.

    To date, Wrath Arcane does not offer womenswear, but there are plans to add blouses, sweaters, dresses, and leggings to the line this year.

    On the whole, Brigade’s clothing is “sophisticated and understated, with a utilitarian feel,” O’Neill says.

    One look around the store and it’s easy to see what he means. The denim (by Diesel, J. Lindeberg, and Rag & Bone, among others) features very little embellishment, and lean silhouettes and neutrals −plus the occasional red plaid− abound. Hoods, exposed pockets, and zippered compartments keep the merchandise from looking precious.

    Prices range from $60 for a pair of Cheap Monday jeans to $1,195 for a Nice Collective leather coat.

    Men’s pants are available in sizes 28-38; shirts sizes range from small to 2X; shoes are available in sizes 8-12.

    Women’s pants are available in sizes 25-31; shirt sizes range from extra small to large; dresses are available in sizes 0-10; shoes are available in sizes 5-10.

    O’Neill opened the first Brigade store in 2004 in Cleveland’s Warehouse District; the store has since relocated to 1785 Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights. (The Columbus store opened on Nov. 25.)

    “Columbus is a good extension of our Cleveland market,” O’Neill says, adding that the city has great restaurants, an excellent art scene, lots of young professionals, and very fashionable residents.

    Brigade’s hours: Noon-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon- 6 p.m. Sunday

    To shop Brigade’s online store, visit www.ClothingBrigade.com.

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    Melanie McIntyre
    Melanie McIntyrehttps://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/
    Melanie McIntyre is a featured freelance writer for Columbus Underground who also writes about fashion, style and pop culture on her blog, Thoroughly Modern Melly. Melanie is an Ohio State University graduate, lives in the Short North, and enjoys reading and running.
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