You’ve probably heard of Christopher Bates by now.
The Canadian menswear designer has made quite the name for himself when it comes to dressing young, urban gentlemen.
We caught up with him last week at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, where he debuted his Fall/Winter 2015 ready-to-wear collection.
About the Collection:
Bates’ latest collection marks his first since opening a design studio and showroom in Milan in November.
“The whole collection was designed and produced in Italy, with world-class mills and manufacturers, and that’s the first time I’ve done that,” says Bates. “I was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and the concepts of human anatomy, geometry, and proportion.”
Bates’ latest collection is rich with a variety of fabrics, like soft lamb suede, laser perforated denim, leather, and custom printed cotton shirting. It includes things like bomber and gilet jackets, leather trousers, oversized cardigans, and suits for both the office and charity events.
Why it Should Matter to You:
If you’re a young professional dude, you should probably check out Bates’ stuff.
“Young professionals are definitely my target market. I create clothes for guys who like to dress for success. That could be socially, professionally, and romantically,” says Bates. “My clothes are classic but modern, so they’re appropriate for a lot of business occasions. They’re also transitional. You can wear them out from the office to a restaurant or a bar and feel cool and stylish.”
The Biggest Mistake Men Make When it Comes to Fashion:
We repeat: The fit is just as important for the gents as it is for the ladies.
“I still see a lot of ill fitting clothes out there, and fit is the absolute most important thing,” says Bates. “For a pant, you want to make sure it’s a tapered leg, because that’s the most flattering for your body. And your suits and dress shirts should skim the body – that’s what tailoring is for. It shouldn’t hug or bag anywhere – not too tight and not too loose.”
Got that? Good, there should be no excuses.
Trends that Are Over (According to Bates):
Apparently that perpetual “Sunday look” may be out the door – at least Bates thinks it should be.
“Those jogging type pants, track pants, and too many sneakers – I would like to see more classic dress shoes,” says Bates.
We’re not going to lie, we’re kinda bummed out about the sneaker part.
The Brain of a Fashion Designer:
“I travel, I read, I cook – I find inspiration in all aspects of life,” says Bates. “I’m inspired by everything from architecture to automotive, to other fashion – it’s just the way I live.”
But getting into the “creative zone” can’t be something that’s calculated…
“I don’t think you can force creativity; it just comes randomly, usually when I’m sleeping,” says Bates. “I wake up and keep a notepad beside my bed to write things down.”
Check out more of Bates’ clothing here.
#NOTABLE
Cover image from: Shayne Gray
Body images from: Gus Protopapas
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