Central Ohio — and the entire world — is undergoing a distinctive change when it comes to fashion. Warmer colors, classic styles and sustainable solutions are emerging from Central Ohio boutiques, reflecting what is happening around the world.
With Columbus being the heart of so many fashion brands, dozens of designer entrepreneurs and boutique owners, such as Xantha Ward of Xantha and Stephanie Tersigni of Jolie, thrive here. Shoppers don’t need to look far outside the city to find some of the hottest trends in the market. Whether shopping at one of Vernacular’s three stores in central Ohio or strolling the Short North to stop at Samson’s, White Lemon and others, it is easy for those who need therapeutic shopping to satisfy their appetite.
The headliner of this season’s fashion change is an influx of warm colors. Vibrant shades of pink and brown or shades of green and yellow imbue wardrobes with bright, even neon colors that command attention, declaring that the fashion society is alive and well. Layer these fresh new looks into a classic wardrobe, even if you’re still wearing last year’s relaxed, stretchy pants and jeans.
Flared pants, flowing sleeves and hems, feminine suits with long fitted jackets over tops and ripped jeans – keep these fashion thoughts on your radar as you enter the new season.
Nice Occasions
Columbus native Stephanie Tersigni started Jolie Occasions in the Short North five years ago and moved to her spacious nook at 867 N. High St. just before the pandemic hit. Unapologetically feminine, Jolie offers light and colorful women’s clothing, and the store’s design reflects this sentiment. A leader among Short North business owners, hosting fashion shows and the like, Tersigni has also dabbled in design, creating her own clothing collection last year and making some of Jolie’s accessories.
What is this year’s must-have fall fashion item? Vintage inspired cropped cardigans
Is there a trending color for fall fashion? shades of green
What’s the biggest style trend ending the year? Blazers with matching bottoms
Facebook and Instagram: @jolieoccasions
Samson, a store for men
Travis Samson opened Samson, A Men’s Emporium, in 2015 after residing in the Short North for over 20 years. Today, he views it as a classic yet casual menswear store, but also a general store, offering accessories, men’s grooming and beard grooming, as well as a wide range of homeware. bar. Steeped in a tradition of hard work witnessed by his grandfathers, Samson channels the energy of the two – one was a dairy farmer in southern West Virginia and the other quit his job. from coal miner to successful Maytag salesman. Samson recently moved to 694 N. High St. from its original location at 772 N. High St. The new space provides more storage and a delightful backdrop for the boutique’s social events.
What should men know about fashion this season? “I believe we’re starting to see men moving away from the fast fashion we’ve seen for the past 10 years and wanting to incorporate well-made clothing. At Samson, we focus on great quality in a classic style. Shop Now get it and wear it forever.
Is there currently a hot color? “Gentlemen, you can add colors other than blue and gray to your wardrobe. Green is the second most comfortable color for most guys, but I’ve seen a lot of yellow, lavender, and mauve.
What’s the biggest style trend you’ve seen in 2022? “After COVID, I see the shift from gym and loungewear to guys wanting to dress up again. Thank goodness! Our sales of ties and suits were great last year.
Instagram: @ShopSamson
Xantha
Xantha Ward is a visionary who started her fashion career by deconstructing and upcycling denim in the 1980s. Today it’s called sustainable fashion. Xantha’s interests expanded into haute couture, avant-garde and haute couture. She also creates unique jewelry. She learned different techniques from some of the best fashion teachers and took selected courses at Columbus College of Art & Design. A staple during Columbus Fashion Week, her work has appeared in catwalks across the United States and Europe. Her namesake shop is located at 631 S. Hamilton Road in Whitehall and is open by appointment only. Ward’s creativity has also inspired a mobile shop on wheels that travels to festivals and other out-of-town events.
What’s your favorite Xantha design? “My couture jackets. I love them because they’re over the top and draw attention to the wearer.
What are your other favorite brands? “Brands I like to wear are Snooks, Twisted Diva and Xantha.”
What are the current fashion trends for denim? “I think more people will create more sustainable denim, which in turn will help the environment.”
instagram: @XanthaWard
Vernacular
Retail entrepreneurs Kris and Chelsea Konieczko opened their first storefront in 2013. Today they have expanded to three vernacular locations: Grandview, German Village and Worthington. The boutiques offer a casual lifestyle brand at affordable prices, and they have found a positive response with women in central Ohio. Described as a brand that features “an East Coast classic with a West Coast vibe,” the owners carefully monitor trends and choose to stock what is selling well. Stores include a healthy mix of women’s clothing and accessories, as well as glassware and other home accessories. The homeware business is not new to the couple. Their original post-graduate business was a store called Objects for the Home in Grandview.
You must have items? “We love a blazer for fall, whether it’s a relaxed knit or a more classic structured fit.”
Warm colour ? “You can’t go wrong with jewel tones and neutrals.”
Stylish jewelry? “Yellow gold coins you can layer”
Instagram: @shopvernacular
White Lemon
When Alaina Fuss-Cheatham came to Columbus from her hometown of Zanesville, she planned to major in fashion merchandising and marketing at Ohio State University. “He’s always been there,” she says, of her keen interest in the field. But eventually, Fuss-Cheatham became a registered nurse through Columbus State, working for six years at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. During this time, she and her husband, Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, launched their first business, an e-commerce brand focused primarily on t-shirts.
In 2019, they founded Moby Dick 3pl, a Whitehall-based fulfillment company, helping various e-commerce companies distribute their products. A few years later, White Lemon was born from Alaina’s original love for fashion. “As our other business grew, so did my interest in opening a boutique,” she says. “It has always been one of my passions; it just took 25 years to make it happen. White Lemon, at 751 N. High St., offers a range of clothing and accessories for women of all sizes.
What is this year’s must-have fall fashion item? “Blazers, dressed up or worn more casually”
Is there a hot color this fall? “It would be hard to pick one, but I’m thinking pinks, corals and rich brown tones.”
What is the biggest style trend of 2022? “The return of neon and brighter colors”
Instagram: @shopwhitelemon
This story is from the September 2022 issue of Monthly Columbus.
