CHARLESTON MAGAZINE'S NEW ONLINE DINING GUIDE
The City Magazine Since 1975

Style Q&A: Cator Sparks

Style Q&A: Cator Sparks
October 2018

After six years as the editor-in-chief of a men’s lifestyle website, the peninsula resident recently turned his focus to freelance writing. He’s got style tips to spare



Sparks at the ribbon cutting for We Are Family’s thrift store and Instagramming his article in Bloomberg Pursuits

Q What are you up to professionally?
A
I’m back in the freelance writing world, as I found that I missed writing for a variety of publications. Currently, I cover design, travel, and men’s style for Bloomberg Pursuits, Architectural Digest, Departures, AskMen, and 1stdibs.

Q What’s your role with We Are Family?
A
I am the board chair of the nonprofit, which provides support, resources, and leadership development opportunities to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and straight-ally youth. These kids teach me something new every day. I have never felt so fulfilled.

 

Q Where do you get your signature hats?
A
From Rod Keenan in New York; they’re all handmade, which is a rarity these days.

Q How would you describe your style?
A
I try to find a balance between Southern granddad and French aesthete Robert de Montesquiou. But I am also in a caftan whenever the occasion arises, so throw in Three’s Company’s Mrs. Roper.

Q Must-have accessories for Fergus and Gareth?
A
The apples of my eye! Their bedding is from Charleston-based Blankets From Emma—it’s monogrammed, of course

Q What’s one of your wardrobe favorites right now?
A
My lavender sports coat by Haspel, the originator of the seersucker suit

Q Go-to podcasts?
A
A couple are Blamo!, which is great for menswear profiles, and Making Gay History, which has taught me about pioneers in the LGBT community.

Q Cool-weather fragrance of choice?
A
Source Adage from upstate New York has a dark and spicy scent I love, C’i’aan.

Resources: 

Photographs by (Sparks portrait) Olivia Rae James, (ribbon cutting) Chloe Field, & (magazine & dogs) Cator Sparks & courtesy of (jacket) Haspel, (C’i’aan) Source Adage, & (hat) Rod Keenan