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PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sav McKee ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary McCarthy CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Erika G. Clark Gabrielle Shamon Natalie Folchi CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alex Lewis Camille Witt Kristen Paige CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Brooke Sheridan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Thomas

CREATIVE DESIGNER Abby Nocera MARKETING MANAGER Emma Mortellaro MARKETING ASSISTANT Gillian Dunahoe ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mindy Wilhite Anna Gerhard ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Meghan Chapman Elliot Harpham

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Clintonville • Grandview • Easton • Powell

The French silk I wore the first night I spritzed on some French Poetry by ST. ROSE. I felt

inspired, confident, and even brave enough to

ask my husband to take my photo in the middle of a busy parking garage. You'll learn more about all of that in the story.

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR A

utumn is often thought of as a season of retreat. There is something in the air that suggests we can exhale a little, turn inward, and pause the constant forward motion of planning summer excursions and big plans in favor of simply being. But this isn’t the case for everyone. The entrepreneurs throughout our city are gearing up for their busiest season. Fall marks the beginning of countless early mornings, late nights, and endless preparation for the holidays ahead. And lucky for us (the ones who benefit from their hard work), they wouldn’t have it any other way. This issue is dedicated to them: those whose passion projects have grown into something much bigger than themselves. Belinda Smith, gracing our cover with her fragrances from her brand ST. ROSE, heard “no” from nearly everyone, but her passion for perfume, as well as sustainability and transparency, prevailed. Travis Samson’s passion for fashion became the foundation of SAMSON Men’s Emporium. In building the store he wished existed, he created one others were waiting for, too. Brittany Poll, founder of the interior design studio Will + Blu, reflects on a passion that began as an unshakable creative fire. Left untended, it only grew stronger until she had no choice but to stoke it.

Kelsey Colwell and Josh White, the hands and minds behind Wild Prairie, have turned their shared passion for the land into a living expression of it. Respected chef Garrett Talmage is following both his heart and his palate with Coldbar, a concept born from a passion for good food, drink, and company. And Chaz Krouse opened Charlie’s as a passion for both his craft and his community — an ode not only to the timeless art of barbering, but to the city that shaped him. For these founders, what began as passion became purpose. And their purpose eventually became a gift to the rest of us. As I put together this issue — my own passion project — I found myself thinking about that word differently. We often imagine passion as something that burns brightly within us, existing only to fan our own flames. But perhaps a passion’s greatest purpose isn’t to stay inside us at all. Perhaps it’s meant to ignite others as well. With love, gratitude, and unapologetic passion,

SAV McKEE Editor-in-Chief, Refined

Before it could glow, everything had to align. Lighting, cabinetry, ceiling lines, and sightlines had to work as one composition. The finished room feels effortless because the difficult decisions were made early.

˿ See how this Columbus kitchen came together.

Select the fixture scale and configuration to properly proportion the ceiling height and overall island dimensions.

J S B ROWNCO.COM | 614. 324.6166 J.S. Brown & Co. is Columbus’ design-build firm for complex, structurally demanding remodels, where expertise and meticulous planning matter most.

CONTENTS 18

FASHION

BUSINESS

The Modern Gentleman

A Cut Above

Travis Samson has great taste

A new kind of barbershop for a changing Columbus

54 ART

26 HOME Room Service Interior designer Brittany Poll reflects on the courage to follow her passion

32 LIBATIONS Some Like it Cold Columbus’ newest bar leans into this iconic ’90s trend

38 COVER STORY Rebel With a Cause Belinda Smith doesn’t take no for an answer, and thank goodness for that ON THE COVER: Belinda Smith, founder of ST. ROSE, wearing RÙADH clothing and jewelry courtesy of D.C. Johnston Ltd. Styled by Jesse Hammers. Photo by Gabrielle Shamon.

Groundwork The flower farm taking root in the city

ERIKA G. CLARK Photographer GABRIELLE SHAMON Photographer NATALIE FOLCHI Photographer

ALEX LEWIS Writer CAMILLE WITT Writer KRISTEN PAIGE Writer

MARY MCCARTHY Writer ABBY NOCERA Designer BROOKE SHERIDAN Designer

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS Travis Samson saw a gap in Columbus’ fashion scene and filled it with SAMSON Men’s Emporium, a Short North destination for chic, modern menswear.

FASHION | FALL 2026

Rich with family HISTORY, thoughtful CURATION, and old-fashioned HOSPITALITY, TRAVIS SAMSON has created a place that INSPIRES men to enjoy GETTING DRESSED again Story by CAMILLE WITT Photography by ERIKA G. CLARK Design by ABBY NOCERA

ne of my first jobs was designing menswear. Admittedly, I thought the category seemed a little boring; after all, how much could you really reinvent a t-shirt and jeans? But I quickly learned the things that make menswear so exciting — iconic design details that become exclusive signals of your brand’s identity, quality fabrics, and masterful wardrobe building. It was also a reminder for me that sometimes, clothes do serve a practical purpose, and that at their best, they’re often as functional as they are beautiful. That tension is precisely what seemed to excite Travis Samson, owner of SAMSON Men’s Emporium, as he envisioned the concept for his boutique space, now a fixture of men’s fashion in the Short North. “I kind of invented what I felt the neighborhood needed,” Travis shared.

As he was brainstorming, he often looked to his grandfathers as references for inspiration. On one side of his family was Sidney Barker, a dairy farmer who wore primarily utilitarian clothing — pieces that focused on comfort and durability meant to hold up to hard farmwork, changing seasons, and a life well lived. On the other side was Bob Samson, a coal miner turned furniture store owner who had to wear suits to work and whom Travis watched get dressed to attend big parties with his grandmother. The intersection of these two stylistic points of view is where SAMSON finds its sweet spot, which is reflected in its logo — a crest made up of a pitchfork and a miner’s pick forming an “x.” It shows up in its assortment too; a wide selection of ties and pocket squares is juxtaposed with playfully printed socks, activewear, and everyday tees. There’s a little bit of everything, but only the best of it.

FASHION | FALL 2026

“I kind of INVENTED what I felt the NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDED.” ALL BUTTONED UP SAMSON offers a variety of men’s clothing for all occasions, including a custom line of Harrington jackets.

The space today gives meaning to the word “Emporium,” chosen — like everything else in the store — with intention by Travis, a strategic choice reflective of what he was creating: not just a menswear store, but a lifestyle establishment for gentlemen. Travis’ vision for SAMSON didn’t just happen overnight; the store owner had a long road to get there, majoring in biology pre-med before moving to Columbus, hoping to land a pharmaceutical sales job. Instead, he found himself working in restaurants and nightclubs while developing real estate properties on the side. After the housing market collapsed, at the age of 40, he found himself in an unexpected pause. With little to do over the next year but dream, he spent hours on Pinterest — a newly launched platform at the time — collecting images of interiors, typography, menswear, and color palettes, daydreaming about what his own retail space might look and feel like. Like many great things, SAMSON was born out of frustration. “I lived in the Short North for 20 years, and there was nothing for guys, and it just slowly drove me crazy every time I would try to shop local,” he explained. Travis eagerly picked the brains of every business owner who was willing to listen before crossing paths with an antique store owner who was nearing retirement, offering up a golden opportunity that would allow Travis to share his space with him and eventually take over the lease on his own.

CAREFULLY CURATED ”I wanted this store to feel like you’re shopping in my living room,” said Travis. You’ll find thoughtfully selected antiques that complement the rich textures of the clothing.

FASHION | FALL 2026

Although the store has moved locations since then (the former space is now occupied by Ladybird), the influence of the antique shop still shines through in SAMSON’s presentation. A richly patinated mercantile cabinet anchors the space; its carved woodwork, deep drawers, and open shelving make stacks of shirts feel as thoughtfully displayed as books in a library, with vintage typewriters and brass lamps for added character. Throughout the store, antique glass display cases house traditional grooming essentials almost like museum pieces, with big, fluffy shaving cream brushes, safety razors and cufflinks so gorgeous they could be left out almost like decor worthy of display. But that sense of playfulness and approachability is still there, with fun surprises and delightful moments sprinkled throughout the store. Toward the back is an impressive village of miniature LEGO stores, a nod to a hobby Travis has held close over the years. “I wanted the store to feel like you’re shopping in my living room,” Travis emphasized. “I wanted it to always feel very casual here and very comfortable. I want people to linger, whether they’re buying or not. I want you to walk away thinking, ‘Wow, that was really designed well. Those guys were so nice.’ That’s what I care about.” As for what’s next for SAMSON, while people continue asking when — or where — another SAMSON might appear, Travis seems more interested in deepening what already exists. “I got into this because I liked the customer service aspect,” he said. “I can’t be everywhere all at once.” That doesn’t mean the brand isn’t evolving; last fall, SAMSON released some exciting original pieces, where Travis’ eye for detail got yet another chance to shine. “We had a Harrington jacket made in England with our SAMSON Label,” he noted. This fall, a few more SAMSON-branded garments will join the lineup. For now, that’s enough. After all, as he put it, “The most important thing is to be happy and content.” VISIT SAMSON Men’s Emporium at 694 N. High St. for a curated assortment of men's lifestyle goods and a fresh look this fall.

THIS LOOKS GOOD ON YOU From jeans to shirts, and jackets to cufflinks, SAMSON offers everything men need this fall.

TRAVIS’ PICKS Some of the COOLEST PIECES from SAMSON to keep you WARM, and TRENDY, this autumn:

OXFORD CLOTH SHIRT “I like a little bit of a heavier knit — it’s a very durable fabric; I have Oxford cloth shirts I’ve worn for over 25 years.” Konrad Striped Oxford in Eggnog

DENIM SHIRT

Dogs. Cats. Horses. Farm animals. Around here, we provide every animal we treat with the best, most advanced care possible. Backed by cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and dozens of board-certified specialists, we deliver complete, compassionate care for animals of every kind. Yes, even cats.

“They provide the absolute highest level of care for all animals. Yeah. Even cats.”

“I think every guy needs multiple denim shirts.”

Adrian Denim Shirt in Indigo

HARRINGTON JACKET “This style’s been around since the 1930s; it’s what James Dean wore in Rebel Without a Cause. It’s what Elvis and Frank Sinatra would wear.”

One of SAMSON’S own designs, made with care in London

CARING. DOWN TO A SCIENCE. vmc.vet.osu.edu 6 convenient locations across Central Ohio. Scan the QR code to learn more.

OSU VM - Big Fan - 614 - half page vertical

The

Jeff Ruby Experience

From ART DECO FLOURISHES to ANTIQUE CHANDELIERS, an evening at JEFF RUBY’S STEAKHOUSE is about much more than dining Story by MARY MCCARTHY

WINE & DINE Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse pairs extensive, awardwinning wine programs with exceptional steak cuts for the ultimate fine dining experience.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING | FALL 2026

here's a particular kind of restaurant you save for the nights that matter — and in Columbus, that's Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. Walk in on any given evening and you'll feel it before you've even been seated: A sense of anticipation and the hum of a room that everyone wants to be in, and the creation of a full-fledged dining experience, not just a night out. With Art Deco-inspired décor, velvet banquettes, and architectural flourishes throughout the historic Arena District building it calls home, walking into Jeff Ruby’s feels timeless in a classic sense, accented by live piano music and the evening light winnowing through stained glass. It’s no accident that People Magazine and OpenTable named it one of America's 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants, or that OpenTable put it on its 2026 list of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America.

Some restaurants serve you, but Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse transports you, into an evening that feels timeless, a slice of Columbus history, and — more than anything else — an experience. Ruby Miller added, “From extraordinary food and genuine hospitality to beautiful surroundings and celebrating life's most meaningful moments, every detail matters. We're honored to be part of the Columbus community, and it's a privilege to help our guests create memories they'll remember for years to come.” VISIT Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse at 89 E. Nationwide Blvd., and book a reservation online at www.jeffruby.com/columbus.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse has become the place so many choose for the nights they want to remember: proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays worth remembering. If you're planning something more intimate or lavish, there are three private dining and event spaces available to reserve. “As a family-owned and operated company, we've always believed it's the little details that create an exceptional dining experience,” said Britney Ruby Miller, co-owner and CEO. Then, there’s the steak. The program is defined by both exceptional quality and remarkable variety. From handcut filets, dry-aged selections, USDA Prime beef, and an unparalleled collection of wagyu sourced from around the world, every cut reflects an uncompromising commitment to offering one of the finest beef programs. One menu highlight is the Cowboy Steak, a 22-ounce, 70-day dry-aged, bone-in ribeye, pictured left with Jeff Ruby’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese. While steak may take center stage for some, the menu also boasts a wide variety of raw bar, seafood and sushi options, including exclusive rolls like Thee Buckeye Roll and the Miami Roll.

THE MAIN EVENT Plush velvet seating, impeccable service, and an atmosphere worthy of the occasion. Welcome to Jeff Ruby’s main dining room.

MAKING A STATEMENT Good taste, from plate to ceiling. Jeff Ruby’s dining room features dazzling, antique chandeliers.

IN HER ELEMENT Brittany Poll left the nursing route and found her calling in a new kind of care — creating thoughtful, inviting spaces through Will + Blu, the interior design studio she built from the ground up.

Room Service BRITTANY POLL, one of Columbus’ most standout INTERIOR DESIGNERS, reflects on how the courage to press “post” turned a PASSION into a PROFESSION

HOME | FALL 2026

Story by SAV MCKEE | Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI | Design by ABBY NOCERA

here’s an old saying that goes, “All you need is a dollar and a dream.”

But Brittany Poll only needed the dream. Not even a dollar. “I actually had no money for this to start with,” she shared. “I just went for it.” Before she became the founder of Will + Blu and the designer behind homes from Hudson Valley to New Mexico, Poll spent eight years as a NICU nurse. But the creative itch was always there. Her father and grandfather were artists, and she once considered fashion school before nursing won out as the more sensible choice. Motherhood came next, and with it, the assumption that a career in creativity would have to wait. But it couldn’t. It didn’t.

Then came 2020, when everyone was forced to stay inside and stare at the same four walls. Poll began offering $25 FaceTime consultations. From there, strangers invited her into their homes. Word spread, first around Columbus, then beyond. Eventually, she left nursing behind as waitlists for her design services formed — and they haven’t budged since. Ask her why she does this, though, and the answer isn’t simply I love beautiful things. Poll is candid about building a business around luxury in a world that doesn’t always feel like it has room for it. But in those moments of doubt, she returns to why she started. “At the end of the day, I look at my values,” she explained. “And to me, this is about bringing people comfort, that familiar feeling, their own oasis. Their home is a place they should want to spend time in.”

“I had this fire burning inside of me,” she explained. “I needed to do something.” The initial spark had been lit years earlier, renovating homes alongside her husband. Their first flip, a German Village fixer-upper, was a mid-2010s fever dream. She joked, “It looked like Pinterest barfed all over it,” but it taught them they loved building rooms together. Later, when they custom built their northern Michigan home, guests kept asking: Why isn’t this your job, Brittany? She would tell them how she didn’t have formal training. No client roster, either. And certainly no proof any of this could actually work. What she did have was a creative eye passed down through generations, and a passion she’d run out of ways to postpone. At her husband’s and friends’ urging, she started an Instagram account dedicated to house projects and design inspiration. At first, it was just for fun. Little did she know, it would become her portfolio. “I accidentally started a business,” she laughed.

GATHER ‘ROUND Originally an enclosed dining space, Brittany opened up the walls and added textured wallpaper to showcase the home’s stunning original arched windows.

HOME | FALL 2026

Will + Blu’s work has become instantly recognizable. Not because every project looks the same — it doesn’t, and can’t, thanks to her use of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces — but because every space feels collected and lived-in. “My goal isn’t to create a magazine-worthy home,” she said. (She pointed out the irony of now being in a magazine.) “It’s to create a home people actually want to live in.” She designs around muddy boots, muddy paws, messy children, and cozy Christmas mornings. She knows where to splurge and where to save. She once filmed herself scrubbing crushed raspberries out of her own sofa to prove some materials can survive a family and still look beautiful. “Nobody wants to walk on eggshells in their own home,” she noted. Trends don’t interest her. Stories do. Like the light fixture driven home from an antique shop ten states over, and the rug that’s lived a life in another country, and the marble that will eventually wear a coffee ring.

“Someday, you’ll look at that coffee stain on that marble and remember Grandma sitting there,” she reminded us. This is why she champions natural materials. Stone ages gracefully. Wood develops character. Patina holds memories. “I’ll stand on a pedestal and scream from the mountaintops: ‘Don’t put fake materials in your home!’” she exclaimed. Poll spends countless hours sourcing antiques and pairing them with contemporary pieces until a room feels collected over years, not bought in one afternoon. Earlier this year, she opened a Columbus showroom to house the pieces she’s been finding, so her clients can touch the vintage vase before it eventually lands on their mantle. Her inspiration can come from almost anywhere: European architecture, restaurant lighting, a stranger’s outfit, a ’90s coffee table book, a bouquet of flowers. “I think,” she reflected, “if you’re paying attention enough, inspiration is everywhere.”

SHE REALLY KNOWS HOW TO MAKE AN ENTRANCE For this 1960s split level entryway, Brittany wanted to honor the home’s original era with a burlwood console table, cement mushroom lamp, and Slim Aarons print. The fringe adds some funk, too.

“I had this fire BURNING INSIDE of me. I needed to do SOMETHING.” GLOW UP Instead of starting from scratch, Will + Blu kept the existing cabinetry and countertops, but updated the backsplash, paint, furnishings, lighting, and hardware for this kitchen remodel.

CENTER OF ATTENTION This cozy, sunken living room was filled with inherited furniture, collected pieces, and durable fabrics, keeping the family’s children in mind. Brittany is an expert at showing that beauty and luxury don’t have to be compromised for kids.

HOME | FALL 2026

“This really is my PASSION. I don’t want it to ever slip away.” Now, the inspiration flows both ways. Her own projects circulate on Pinterest boards, earning thousands of likes and millions of shares. “How cool is it that I literally took my passion and turned it into my job?” she asked. “That’s something not everybody can say. I get to do what I love every single day, and I’m so grateful for that.” But every fire needs tending, not just fuel. After a trip to Europe this year, where she was able to relax and take it slow, she started saying no to projects — a first for her. “Not burning out is one of my biggest priorities,” she said. “This really is my passion. I don’t want it to ever slip away.” She also credits the team of women who run the studio alongside her, keeping things organized while her creative brain runs wild with ideas. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without them,” she said. For anyone out there stalling on their own leap, she offers the same advice she once followed: “You don’t have to quit something to start something. Just rip the Band-Aid off and figure it out. The rest will fall into place.” After all, it only takes a dollar. Or, in her case, just a dream. BOOK a consultation, design service, or even full home rebuild at willandblu.com.

OLD FASHIONED An outdated wet bar was reimagined by Will + Blu, with a marble countertop and backsplash, glass & brass floating shelf, and custom oak.

COLD

GARRETT TALMAGE’S coolest new RESTAURANT in COLUMBUS is taking that title literally

SOME LIKE IT

Story by SAV MCKEE Photography by ERIKA G. CLARK Design by ANDREW THOMAS

BEST SERVED COLD Coldbar, debuting this fall in Italian Village, serves chilled food and frosty cocktails only.

DINING & LIBATIONS | FALL 2026

he ’90s are back. The early 2000s, too. Low-rise jeans, Fendi baguette bags, thinning eyebrows — we’ve seen enough to know nostalgia has fully settled in.

KEEPING IT COOL Garrett Talmage, chef and founder of Mezcla, is now bringing Coldbar to town.

Now it’s coming for dinner, and we, for one, are eating it right up. Decades ago, chilled appetizers and raw protein trends took over the heavier items that once marked fine-dining menus. Signature cold dishes like tuna tartares, carpaccios, crudo, raw oysters, sushi, caviar, and crisp cocktails became a status symbol in large metropolitan cities like Los Angeles and New York City. We can witness the height of this trend in season two of Sex and the City, when Samantha brings the girls to RAW, where nothing is heated above 118 degrees. It’s a packed house, and the women could barely get a table. When they do, they’re served an amuse-bouche of a summer vegetable gazpacho. Garrett Talmage is confident that at his own cold bar, quite literally named Coldbar, people won’t feel the need to ditch and go grab a slice of hot pizza afterwards, like Carrie and Miranda did in the episode. If anything, Talmage encourages people to have dinner at Mezcla, his debut restaurant, then walk right over to Coldbar for a late-night snack or second dinner, craft cocktails, and a homemade, boozy Dole Whip dessert, topped with Chartreuse. “I want to make the distinction that it’s not a raw bar though,” he explained. “There will be plenty of raw items, but some cooked items, too.” Just because some of the items will be cooked, doesn’t mean they’ll be warm. Think crispy chickpeas that have been fried up and chilled; lardons, which are strips of pork that have been salted and cured; homemade sauces, deviled eggs, potato salads, cold takes on Vietnamese dishes.

ICE, ICE, BABY Freshly shucked oysters, crudo, caviar, deviled eggs, and many more cold items line the menu at Coldbar.

DINING & LIBATIONS | FALL 2026

CHILL OUT Ice-cold martinis and cold takes on cocktail classics await.

DINING & LIBATIONS | FALL 2026

But still, plenty of raw options. Talmage will center the menu on freshly shucked oysters, crudo, and caviar service with crème fraîche, chives, and…Pringles. Why? Well, “Pringles just rock,” he laughed. “Plus, we’re still in Columbus. We’re going to be an upscale establishment, but also, still have something for everyone. Including Pringles.” Surprising to some, Pringles also pair perfectly with a frosty martini. And we’re talking about the coldest martini you’ve ever had. “We’re chilling our martinis with liquid nitrogen,” explained Talmage, “safely, of course. The liquid nitrogen evaporates, and the martini will be served over ice, making it absolutely freezing cold. We’re going to call it the ‘Cold as F*ck Martini’, obviously.” Jackson Proctor, beverage operations manager of Mezcla and Bar Room at the Pizzuti, is bringing his expertise to Coldbar. Expect extra-icy takes on the classics, plus a lineup of clean, well-balanced originals. Coldbar is embracing the simplicity of the ’90s while leaving behind the maximalist cocktails of the past decade. “They’re not going to be boring by any means, but they’re not going to be overdone,” he noted. And in a city that often overdoes things, this kind of restraint is impressively held throughout the rest of the place. If you order a Bloody Mary, there will be no burger, onion rings, or entire meal stacked on a toothpick sticking out of it. Instead, a single, raw oyster on top. No crazy lighting, either. The interior is dark, moody, and sultry. Pendant lights frame the bar while dim lamps glow throughout the dining room. Nothing overhead, Talmage promised. As for the playlist, think sexy lo-fi beats. “Coldbar will be serious and elegant, but also just simple at the same time,” explained Talmage. “It will be an entire experience. You’re going to have a great bite. And a great drink. And you’re also going to enjoy the environment.” For Talmage, Coldbar is an extension of himself. “I go out to restaurants, and I go out to cocktail bars. This is what I love doing,” he said. “The passion behind Coldbar comes from my passion for food and drinks.” And also, his passion for Columbus, specifically Italian Village. “We’re pushing the area forward in a different way,” he said. This fall, Columbus’ hottest reservation might just be its coldest. VISIT Coldbar this September at 1049 N. 4th St.

COLD OPEN Opening this fall, Talmage hopes Coldbar immediately becomes the hottest coolest spot in town for bites and cocktails.

COVER STORY | FALL 2026

REBEL WITH A CAUSE BELINDA SMITH, founder of ST. ROSE, proves that BEAUTY need not come at the cost of transparency, nor LUXURY at the cost of conscience Story by SAV MCKEE | Design by ABBY NOCERA

ON THE NOSE After being told “no” by big fragrance houses, local entrepreneur Belinda Smith persisted. And this year, ST. ROSE’s Crazy Love scent was a finalist for Women’s Luxury Fragrance of the Year at the Fragrance Foundation Awards, right next to brands like Dior and Tom Ford. Photo courtesy of Lily Glass.

COVER STORY | FALL 2026

and unverified by regulators, which means many of the ingredients in the perfumes we love are both harmful to our bodies and the environment.

French Poetry was inside — a gorgeous, glass bottle with a fiery red elixir that I knew would become my new signature scent. The next evening, I found myself dressing for date night specifically around the perfume. Instead of my usual worn Levi’s, I threw on a vintage French silk skirt and heels. I spritzed the perfume on my neck and wrists, delicately twisting my hair into a chignon.

Belinda, a self-proclaimed Earth-child, knew there had to be a better way. That there could still be a luxurious perfume sans toxic ingredients. Her work at companies like Omega Watches in New York and L Brands here in Columbus taught her the shape of a business, and the size of its blind spots. “I realized there was this big white space inside a very saturated market,” she explained. “There was a new celebrity perfume every day, but as a consumer who wanted something clean, I felt like none of it was as sophisticated or as soulful, or had the depth of what I was used to wearing.”

n the evening of our photoshoot for this story, I gifted Belinda Smith a bouquet of roses. A little on the nose, of course, for a brand named ST. ROSE, but she must have appreciated it, for in return, she handed me a box of perfume.

My husband pulled me into his arms and told me I seemed different. I was on a mission to be seen (and smelled, apparently) that night. Walking through our local Italian restaurant with notes of pear, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood, and amber drifting behind me, I decided I was different. I was, in that moment, the woman I wanted to be. A woman gifted perfume at a photoshoot for the magazine she edits. A woman on a sultry dinner date, a glass of wine in one hand and her husband’s hand in the other. A woman that the host and the server both stopped to tell how good she smelled, even with the competing aromas of garlic and onion wafting through the air. I hadn’t felt like this in a while, I thought. Feminine, mysterious, fully aware of my body. Belinda may not have known, handing me that box of French Poetry, that it would become a kind of portal. With a sniff of my wrist, I become the woman I keep forgetting I already am. Then again, perhaps she did. Belinda founded ST. ROSE to hand women back to themselves, chic and sensual and sure. But getting a fragrance this beautiful, and this clean, to exist at all meant fighting an industry that didn’t believe the two belonged together. To understand what she made for us, and how she did it, we first have to understand what she was rebelling against. The fragrance industry has always worn a veil. There are the top-secret concoctions and the refusal to tell us what’s actually in them, even though they’re lining our favorite department store aisles. And most alarming, there are the gaps in consumer safety law, where checks go bypassed

She could find plenty of fragrances that evoked the rural Australia of her childhood. “My earliest memories are of the Australian countryside, steeped in scent. Sun on dry earth, eucalyptus, wildflowers after rain,” she reflected. “When my family moved to the States, fragrance became a way of traveling between homes.” What she couldn’t find, though, was one that was consciously made, free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and still beautiful enough to earn a permanent place on the nightstand. Until, that is, she made one herself. “I’m stubborn,” Belinda laughed. “I thought, ‘I’m going to figure this out.’” What she meant was building her own perfumery from the ground up: transparent, ethically sourced, traceable back to the farms where the ingredients grow, working in step with the earth rather than against it. And all of it at a level of polish you’d expect from brands like Dior or Yves Saint Laurent. “Why can’t I have an EV engine in a Mercedes-Benz?” she joked. When she presented the idea of ST. ROSE to all the big fragrance houses, every one of them told her no. But the thing about Belinda is that she doesn’t take no for an answer. A serendipitous introduction to someone well known in the field finally got her through the doors of Givaudan, one of the oldest fragrance houses in the world. And in 2019, her rebel spirit won: ST. ROSE became Givaudan’s first fully transparent brand. At the time, they were comfortable working with just eleven of the cleanest ingredients in the world. The palette is far wider now, and all of it still vegan, cruelty-free, and skin-safe.

SECTION TITLE | FALL 2026 SCENTSUAL SEDUCTION Old-world perfumery, exquisite botanicals, and a modern respect for nature make for captivating fragrances. Photo courtesy of Ashley Sargent Price.

SCENT & SENSIBILITY ST. ROSE fragrances pair luxurious, complex scents with skin-conscious formulas — a combination that’s increasingly hard to find in most perfumes. Photo courtesy of Dimanche Creative.

“WE’VE BEEN REBELLIOUS FROM THE BEGINNING, BACK WHEN WE WERE TOLD ‘NO’ ABOUT DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY. THE FRAGRANCES CARRY THAT ENERGY, TOO.” 42

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Belinda ethically sources threatened materials like oud and certain sandalwoods through relationships with farms that harvest them responsibly. “It’s about picking the crème de la crème of ingredients,” she explained. “The most extraordinary ones usually cost the most, because they’re being cultivated in the purest way.” The vetiver in Crazy Love, with notes of woody earth, is grown on a female-led farm in Haiti that uses remarkable water-saving methods. The sandalwood base in Grand Larceny is wildharvested in Australia at an Indigenous-owned farm, where the deadwood is gathered off the desert floor. Even the packaging is considered sustainable, made entirely of post-consumer recyclable materials. The manufacturing footprint is kept as tight as possible, from the compounding and filling facilities in New Jersey to the green-powered warehouse in New York. “We love choosing suppliers who feel the way we do,” Belinda noted. And yet you won’t find any of this language on ST. ROSE’s Instagram, deliberately. The feed is all cherubs, flowers, and marble. On the website, each scent is paired with its origin story (“Terre Rouge is a scent inspired by a land of red earth. Australian sandalwood creates a sensuous ambience with calming eucalyptus leaves while transparent cypress evokes a richly verdant impression….”), but Belinda is careful with her approach. “I love when people are surprised by our sustainability efforts, because we don’t hide it,” she said. “It’s there. But I always want to lead with the artistry of the fragrance first, and then keep customers for life because of our ethos.”

In Columbus, ST. ROSE keeps close company. You can find them at Fine Feather, Artisans &, and Paloma, but that’s it, for now. “There’s such a little air of mystery and intrigue when you’re not everywhere,” she said. “It’s good to be a little careful.” She says this as if this isn’t a globally recognized company. ST. ROSE was recently a finalist for Women’s Luxury Fragrance of the Year at the Fragrance Foundation Awards, seated right beside billion-dollar names like Tom Ford and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. “We’re standing as an indie brand among giants owned by Estée Lauder, and as the only consciously composed brand next to more traditionally formulated ones,” Belinda said, humbly, though she’d earned the right not to be.

NOTES TO SELF It’s hard to choose, she said, but Belinda’s favorite scent for cooler weather is Out of the Blue, with notes of orris, cocoa shell, tonka bean, and vanilla. Photo courtesy of Lily Glass.

“There’s a modern nostalgia to us,” she continued. “I want to be a little provocative. We’re rebellious, and we’ve been rebellious from the beginning, back when we were told ‘no’ about doing things differently. The fragrances carry that energy too. I always like a little edge to them.” Another act of rebellion: refusing to be everywhere in an industry that insists on being everywhere.

MAKING SCENTS OF IT Growing up in rural Australia, Smith’s earliest memories of childhood are the smells of eucalyptus and wildflowers. After moving to the States, fragrance became a way of traveling between the two places she calls home. Photo courtesy of Lily Glass.

COVER STORY | FALL 2026

“SUCCESS IS GETTING UP FASTER THAN THE FALL. PASSION IS THE PULL TO KEEP GETTING UP, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.” “People tell me all the time that they forget we’re a clean brand. The products are just that good, and I think, ‘Yes, that’s exactly why I did this,’” she said. “This is what I set out to make: a beautiful, luxurious brand that speaks to a modern consumer. One who wants to know what she’s putting on her skin. Informed. Intelligent. Well-traveled. Someone who wants the best of the best and feels good about it, without trading her ethics for her taste.”

She added, “I’m so inspired by the people who wear us.” I speak for all of us when I say the feeling is mutual. Belinda is a mother of two, a devoted wife, a friend to everyone, an advocate for the planet, and now an entrepreneur of an international company, all while living right here in the Columbus area. She is, in many ways, an icon, and also one of the coolest, most downto-earth locals you could hope to meet. She’s weathered her share of setbacks, too: the many no’s, the tariffs, the roadblocks, the paperwork, the production snags, the particular headaches and heartaches of running a business, and yet — she is more passionate than ever. “The original passion is what makes a business survivable,” she explained, “but discipline, sacrifice, and resilience have to show up too. They’re your only company at 2 a.m., when the world is asleep and you’re back at your desk planning a holiday campaign after putting the kids to bed.” “Success is getting up faster than the fall. Passion is the pull to keep getting up, again and again and again,” she continued. “Passion is the reason. Craft and rigor are the job. Have only the first, and you’ve got a hobby. Have only the second, and you’ll burn out on something you never loved.” This is what lingers with me after the bergamot in my French Poetry fades: not only the passion, but the will behind the scent. In a bottle of ST. ROSE, I found myself again. But I also found Belinda, and every woman who has ever refused to choose between her ethics and her allure. I joined a group of rebels. And our cause is to be beautiful and good, and never sorry for wanting both.

FIND a bottle of ST. ROSE, as well as accompanying candles, at st-rose.com, or locally at Fine Feather, Paloma, and Artisans &.

STOP AND SMELL THE ST. ROSE Jasmine, rose, leather, amber and musk meet a rush of grapefruit, finished with Haitian vetiver sourced directly and ethically from a female-founded farm in Haiti. It might just make you fall in Crazy Love. Photo courtesy of Dimanche Creative.

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THIS IS YOUR SIGN The vintage-inspired sign outside of Charlie’s, located on W. 5th Ave. near Grandview, says it all.

BUSINESS | FALL 2026

A Cut Above After initially leaving COLUMBUS in search of something bigger, CHAZ KROUSE returned home with a RAZOR-SHARP vision for the NEIGHBORHOOD BARBERSHOP

Story by ALEX LEWIS Photography by ERIKA G. CLARK Design by BROOKE SHERIDAN

haz Krouse wants you to stay in Columbus. Over time, the 26-yearold Upper Arlington native has seen folks leave for larger cities to attain some elusive sense of “cool” they did not know Columbus was capable of. Krouse, himself, moved away after high school to pursue a degree in museum studies and curation at the University of Vermont. He began his post-grad career in Burlington, but he and his fiancée moved back to Columbus three years ago.

BUSINESS | FALL 2026

“I had this desire to CREATE and to give something to the place where I grew up. It felt like this was the ONLY WAY that I could do that.” It was not long before Krouse began considering how he could use his passion for cutting hair — a hobby he picked up in college — to make his hometown a place to put down roots. This led to Krouse and his team of stylists opening Charlie’s, a community-centered barbershop off of West Fifth Avenue near Grandview, last October. “I had this desire to create and to give something to the place where I grew up,” explained Krouse. “It felt like this was the only way that I could do that.” While Charlie’s offers a variety of barber and beautician services, including straight razor neck shaves, blowouts, and complimentary consultations, Krouse believes the biggest draw is the connections they make with their clients. “What I think really sets us apart is that level of consistency and the fact that you know you’ll come in and we’ll greet you by your name,” shared Krouse. “We’ll know who you are, and we’ll remember you, and remember stuff about your kids.” Moments after saying this, Krouse stopped midsentence to say goodbye to a customer by name. Earlier in our conversation, he engaged another visitor with the same familiarity. While these interactions felt impressive in the moment and

still seem rather profound, Krouse laughed it off as just another day on the job. “The last thing I really want to be talking with my clients about is their hair,” Krouse said with a grin. “At the end of the day, it sounds corny and kind of cringey, but it is about the interaction with the person and getting to just hang out.” Later, he added, “Though the haircut is the most important part, it’s also not.” This is not to say that Krouse does not care about delivering the perfect cut; as a matter of fact, he sees it as his life’s work. “I will never do anything other than this,” he declared. “I love cutting hair,” Krouse continued. “I love everything from the beginning of the process to the finished product, and I love finding something that makes somebody feel confident.” Krouse, who initially wanted to pursue a career in art curation, has been able to leverage that passion in designing Charlie’s. The shop itself, which used to be a pre-war grocery store, was a hair salon in the 1980s called the Styling Nook. While maintaining much of the history, Krouse has been able to bring his own flair into the space. This includes contributions from the community, such as furniture from Old Town Upholstery and vintage pieces from Euro Classics Antiques.

IN GOOD HANDS Chaz Krouse, owner of Charlie’s, believes a great connection is almost as important as a great haircut.

BUSINESS | FALL 2026 STAYING SHARP Aubrey Skaggs first fell in love with the art of cutting hair at his grandmother’s salon. His admiration for it only deepened here at Charlie’s, where he specializes in chic, trendy razor cuts.

“It just looks like what my house would look like, ideally,” noted Krouse. This hominess is at the heart of what he and his team are hoping to create at Charlie’s. Above the shop entrance hangs a sign with a simple phrase, which aptly captures this spirit: “Enter a stranger, leave a friend.” This is more than a tagline for Krouse, but a statement of purpose and belief in what is possible. “The ability to make a friend and call somebody a friend is a treasure and something to be desired,” he said. “It’s an endless fountain of love and one of the highest types of interactions.” “The hope,” Krouse continued, “is that I can see the potential friendship in everybody.”

As Charlie’s deepens its roots near Grandview and more strangers become friends, it becomes less likely that folks will want to venture far away, especially when they know there is a stylist who understands what they like and knows their name on top of that. Krouse has no plans of going anywhere either. “I really like the idea of just dialing in on this space and becoming a community pillar,” he said while basking in the golden light of a Friday evening. Pointing to his chair, Krouse added, “Hopefully, I’m just cutting hair in that window until I’m 80.” BOOK an appointment for a haircut, beard trim, and even friendship at charliesgrandview.com. Charlie’s is located at 1794 W. 5th Ave.

UNWIND IN

REFINED LUXURY SUITES | WELLNESS | DINING | EVENTS

TAKES A VILLAGE The space, originally a pre-war grocery store, features contributions from the community, like furniture from Euro Classics Antiques and Old Town Upholstery.

LEMERIDIENCOLUMBUS.COM 620 NORTH HIGH STREET 614.227.0100 @LMCOLUMBUSTHEJOSEPH

SECTION TITLE | FALL 2026

GROU N DWOR K The hyper-local, ORGANIC FLOWER FARM behind some of COLUMBUS’ most beloved bouquets is planting the seeds for A NEW KIND OF AGRICULTURE Story by KRISTEN PAIGE Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI Design by ANDREW THOMAS

DOWN TO EARTH Kelsey Colwell and Josh White, the duo behind Wild Prairie Flower Farm, explained that they’re striving for an agrarian lifestyle in a non-agrarian society.

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hen you walk into Pistacia Vera, the lovely German Village café, you’ll first see the shelf of stunning bouquets. Vibrant dahlias, lush foxgloves, and golden sunflowers catch your eye before you pick one to take home alongside your pastry and latte.

HANDS-ON ”We need to have our hands in the dirt,” said Josh White.

But what you don’t see are the hands that harvested them. Where are the flowers grown? Who tended to them? What about the bugs that protect and pollinate them? Kelsey Colwell and Josh White, owners of Wild Prairie, are the farmers behind some of Columbus’ most beloved blooms, bringing their harvest from South Side soil to local coffee tables. And they want us to start thinking more about the answers to those questions. Wild Prairie Flower Farm is nestled between industrial warehouses, a neighborhood, and railroad tracks. With just a quarter-acre plot of land, the little farm is an unexpected sight among the concrete and commerce surrounding it. It’s an image that Colwell and White see as the future. “We’re striving for an agrarian lifestyle in a non-agrarian society,” Colwell said. The two farmers met in Franklinton and bonded over their shared love and passion for growing and working with the earth. In 2019, they acquired a parcel from the City of Columbus’ Land Bank Program and started Wild Prairie Flower Farm. For Colwell and White, starting a farm was always more of a need rather than a want. “We were going to do that just because we need to have our hands in the dirt,” White said. For seven years, they’ve been growing flowers on the South Side of Columbus, all without tilling the soil or using pesticides. Wild Prairie is fully organic, relying on practices that prioritize the health of the community, and the health of the land. After all, they go hand-inhand. “Which means the way in which we manage is minimal disturbance, and often fully human-powered,” White explained. In 2020, they began harvesting and selling their first blooms, starting everything from seed. The process is both artistic and methodical. They plant different varieties throughout the year to create a continuous flush of flowers from early spring to late October, carefully considering each plant’s growing timeline and maturity.

FALL FLOWERS With Ohio’s changing climate, Wild Prairie cultivates bouquets until October. You can find them at Pistacia Vera and local farmers markets this autumn.

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“We’re growing those flowers on Parsons Avenue, essentially, and then we’re going two miles up the street and selling 70% of our harvest at a café in the neighborhood,” White explained. “Owned by people who live in Columbus. That’s unheard of,” Colwell added. The wildly popular Wild Prairie bouquets can be found at local farmers markets and at Pistacia Vera throughout the week. They also create larger, custom arrangements for weddings and special events. Each flower is likely harvested within two days before getting sold, and each bouquet is meticulously planned from seed to stem before being wrapped in white tissue paper and brown craft paper, almost like an art frame. “We joked about this for the first few years. Yeah, the bouquets are pretty, but, when they’re in the wraps, wow, they’re extra special,” White emphasized. While they make it look easy, growing flowers in this city comes with challenges. Colwell and White feel the pressures that many farmers face, alongside the pressures of climate change. This year, extreme weather brought new obstacles to their already delicate process. “We plan and plant and work and get everything in the ground, and we invest and we expand. And then we lose 80% of our crops,” said Colwell. This past spring, their farm suffered a huge loss due to a long spell of summer-like heat as well as other insect and disease setbacks. Part of it is the nature of farming, and another part is environmental factors. But despite the tough spring, they remain hopeful.

“Putting literal ROOTS in the ground — I HAVE HOPE in that.” 57

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GETTING WILD White and Colwell tend to a farm on a quarter-acre plot on the South Side of Columbus, where they grow flowers by hand.

“Putting literal roots in the ground — I have hope in that,” White said. In the midst of that hope and resiliency, they admit that they still question their work and wonder if it is even sustainable. “It’s definitely intimidating, but what else is there? We could jump ship, but there’s nothing to jump to. Farms are the lifeboat that they can be,” Colwell said. Farms like Wild Prairie are the rarest of kinds. They are hyper-local, deeply connected to the land, and a reminder of the earth’s gifts that sustain us each day. To have the actual fruits of their labor reach the community is beyond special. “We get to share that harvest with people that we see every day. I see the regulars, I know their names. I know their dogs’ names, I know their kids, and we just keep bringing them flowers,” said White. “It’s so refreshing,” Colwell affirmed. “It really keeps us going.” “Even with all the hardship this year,” White added. “We’ve never felt more supported in our lives,” Colwell concluded. FIND a signature Wild Prairie bouquet at Pistacia Vera from spring throughout autumn and at local farmers markets throughout the city. Get there early, for they tend to sell out fast. Inquire about a custom floral arrangement at wildprairieflowerfarm.com. 58

HERE COMES THE SUN The duo remains optimistic for the future of farming, despite its challenges. “Farms are the lifeboat that they can be,” said Colwell.

CHEVRON ON MICHAEL B. JORDAN