DISCOVER: COUTURE ON HIGH Written by Katharine Mallory A chic new storefront in the Short North has brought an impressive lineup of high-end designers to Ohio shoppers. Couture on High houses a stunning selection of couture dresses and ready-to-wear designs by iconic names including Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Marchesa and Valentino. An added bonus? The boutique carries only one dress in each design, eliminating any fear of duplication on the social scene. In the former Jinny space, proprietor Lynda Schif has married her business acumen with a strong sense of style, sophistication and sincerity. Te result is a beautiful collection of frocks found nowhere else in the state. An attorney by profession, a diagnosis of breast cancer motivated Schif to step away from her law practice and seek an enterprise that could be shared with her daughter, Lexi. Teir mutual love of fashion and an identifable void in Columbus (evidenced by friends traveling to cities like New York, Chicago and Palm Beach for their special occasion fnery) inspired the launch of Couture on High. Deftly navigating the stringent approval process for the top design houses meant partnering with an expert friend with a similar boutique in Palm Beach, allowing Schif to open the doors on High Street this September. Te well-styled Schif plans to leverage her clients’ attraction to revered design houses by showcasing one promising new designer each year - providing visibility in addition to real-time business education and experience. Kevin Black, a graduate of CCAD, is the frst featured designer. Having already dressed a number of high-profle clients around the country in his signature designs, Black’s trained eye will beneft every client of Couture on High, as he also provides in-house master tailor services. Neophytes to the designer scene need not be intimidated by the sartorial elegance of Couture on High; there is a midwestern sensibility at play here too. Schiff and her team are dedicated to making every client look and feel beautiful no matter their age or price point. “I don’t think you have to spend a lot of money to look fantastic” she says. With an unparalleled lineup of couture designs right here in town, imagine the travel savings that can be pumped back into that clothing budget! sl Located at 844 N. High Street, Couture on High is open TuesdaySaturday 11-6, and by appointment. Te boutique may be reached at 614.372.5270.
24 slmag.net