Christopher Bates is a Canadian designer on fire. Not only has he been named by Sharp Magazine as one of the top six designers in Canada, his line has also been picked up by Holt Renfrew and is available in their Vancouver location. Based in Toronto, Bates’ brand is for anyone that loves the demure and pulled together look of James Bond. Trained in Milan, consumers can definitely see a European feel to his designs that is not only wearable but also tailored. We can definitely tell that Bates himself is the epitome of living his very own brand sporting a put together suit with a cheeky printed lipstick mark on the collar of his shirt during our interview with him. It definitely made us think, “I bet he likes his martini shaken not stirred.”
We started off the interview with four questions on his collection (we didn’t want to scare him too much) before he tackled our 50 questions in five minutes. Just a little “get to know you” because there’s so much to discuss like his worst fashion moment or whether he prefers cats or dogs.
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Q: Who is the person wearing CB?
CB: Brand-contemporary tailored gentleman middle-aged, career oriented, affluent man who wants to be like bond with a cultivated appreciation for designer fashion.
Q: What is the inspiration for Spring 2014?
CB: The Riviera. I was there in 2007 and went to Monica, Nice and St. Tropez. The collection is a nautical theme that can be dressed up or down, to the poolside or beach.
The color palette has a range of blues, hints of pale lavender and magenta and a light sand taupe color.
Q: How did you get into design?
CB: It took awhile. I started in marketing and was attracted to it for the creative aspect to business. I always wanted to do something creative. After traveling to Europe in my twenties, I really appreciated the aspect of design and decided to pursue it.
Q: What do you bring to the table that separates you from other designers?
CB: Understated and also clever details. Comes out when up close with pieces not screaming at you. A lot of clothes are overdesigned where there are 2 or 3 things going on 1 piece and a lot stronger if they focus on one design element.
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We asked Christopher Bates 50 questions in 5 minutes:
1. Favorite city: Stockholm
2. Most versatile item of clothing: sports jacket
3. Last book you read: A feast for crows
4. Favorite book you read: count of Monte Cristo
5. Dream vacation spot: Monico
6. Kate Moss or Cara Delevigne: Kate moss (how about Kate Upton?)
7. Favorite muse: James Bond
8. Dog or cat: Cat
9. Advice you would give your 18 year old self: Go for it
10. The first thing you reach for in the morning: alarm clock
11. Facebook, twitter or instagram: Facebook
12. Favorite designer other than yourself: Raf Simmons
13. New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, or Milan Fashion Week Paris Fashion Week: Milan Fashion Week
14. Coffee or tea: Neither
15. Must have on a trip away from home: Wingman
16. Pet peeve: Whistling
17. Public Displays of Affection (yes or no): Yes
18. Age of first kiss: 14
19. Favorite celebrity at the moment: Michael Fassbender
20. Dream job as a child: Fashion designer
21. Favorite animal: cat
22. Spirit animal: cat
23. Favorite food: Italian
24. Beer, wine or champagne: Beer
25. Favorite quote: Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to take away.
26. Best advice: Fortune favors the bold
27. Advice you would give Canadian designers: Find your niche
28. Favorite place you’ve ever been: Greece
29. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian (aka Kimye’s) cover for Vogue: No
30. Favorite season: Spring
31. Last concert you went to: Depeche Mode
32. Define your style in 3 words: contemporary, tailored, sartorial
33. Most inspirational person that’s no longer with us: My dad
34. Best movie: The last of the Mohicans
35. Last movie you saw: The Count of Monte Cristo
36. Favorite celebrity you hope to meet: Christian Bale
37. Splurge or save: splurge
38. How many siblings do you have: 2 brothers
39. Favorite space in your house: My bedroom
40. Your color of the season: Pink
41.Worst fashion mistake: I had these silver loafers
42. Favorite holiday: Halloween
43. Most important characteristic in a partner: Humor
44. Most expensive designer item in your closet: My tux
45. Favorite magazine: Tycoon
46. One thing you never leave home without: Money
47. Sartorialist or Bill Cunningham: Sartorialist
48. Bergdorfs, Saks, Barney’s or Bloomingdales: Barney’s
49. Stay in on Friday or night out: Stay in
50. Favorite blogger at the moment: none
Amy Yew is a contributing columnist at Vancouver Courier and a fashion and style writer. She is also a Lucky Magazine community contributor. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to [email protected]. You can also tweet your thoughts @AmyYew.
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