Christopher Bates Premieres FW17 Collection // .@CBatesMenswear

Contemporary menswear Designer, Christopher Bates, unveiled his Fall/Winter 2017 ready-to-wear collection on the runway to a packed house of the Canadian fashion industry's elite on March 1^st 2017 as a part of CAFA's newest Toronto-based initiative, FashionCAN.

"This collection is highlighted by a diverse colour palette, exceptional fabrics, and many signature design details. I am thrilled to be premiering this collection with FashionCAN and look forward to this year's awards gala," says Christopher Bates, Designer & Creative Director, Christopher Bates menswear collection, who is nominated for Menswear Designer of the Year at the CAFA’s.

In his most recent collection, Bates continues to embrace the "Made in Italy" philosophy, using the best in cutting-edge and traditional Italian knitting techniques. Bates continues to appeal to men, seeking style and sophistication, while respecting quality craftsmanship. In combination with the richest fabrics & micro-patterns, key design details include volcano collars, rollnecks, unfinished hems, removable linings, and a re-vamped, new version of the signature Kiss Collar shirt. Additionally, to commemorate Canada's 150^th anniversary, the collection features a limited-edition red Mounty jacket that closed the show.

"I have taken the typical fall and winter shades of black and grey, and magnified them with hues of forest green, chocolate brown, shiitake, white, and a bold red to create a unique and memorable collection," states Bates.

The FashionCAN runway shows are a new initiative from the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, CAFA, dedicated to elevating Canadian fashion talent and the promoting the "see now, buy now" business model through the FashionCAN pop-up shop at Yorkdale that will continue through the month of March.

Accompanying the FW17 collection were four Air Canada employee models wearing the newly launched uniforms designed by Christopher Bates, which will begin to be worn by all Air Canada employees come late 2017. This segment was a portion of the full uniform line that Air Canada officially launched with their new livery on February 9^th, 2017 as a part of the rebrand of Air Canada.

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MORE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER BATES

After training in Milan at legendary Istituto Marangoni, Bates launched his eponymous namesake menswear line in 2008, rapidly gaining traction with retailers, consumers, media, stylists and celebrities. With the launch of his footwear collection in SS16, his second spring collection is now available in select Harry Rosen and Brown's locations across Canada.

To date, Christopher Bates’ recognitions include a feature as one of the top six menswear designers in Canada (SHARP Magazine), being selected as the only menswear designer in the Mercedes-Benz Start Up Program, naming rights as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Influential People (Alberta Youth Congress 2014), being a finalist for the Notable Awards for Fashion in Canada (Notable.ca 2014 and 2015) and most recently, receiving CAFA nominations for Canadian Menswear Designer of the Year 2 years in a row in 2015 and 2016 (Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards 2015).

Bates’ runway presentations through the years have garnered significant local, national and international press including: Women's Wear Daily, Forbes, GQ Brazil, Elle, FASHION, SCHÖN!, Hello! Magazine, Huffington Post, FLARE, the Globe and Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star and CTV just to name a few.

Bates’ approach to design is recognized as truly global and his appeal is acknowledged by the growing number of fashionable men in cosmopolitan cities around the world, especially Toronto.