My Style: Christian Cota
Photo: Courtesy of Christian Cota
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Right now I wear a lot of hand painted garments and accessories. They are unique to my style and represent my brand and the image that I am creating for myself.
Please describe your style in three words.
Experimental, sophisticated, confident.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wearing clothes that don’t fit their body and personality.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes definitely; my mother and grandmother have been great role models in my life and have greatly inspired my collections.
What are your favourite fabrics?
I like fabrics with texture and colour that also that have cultural relevance, more specifically deriving from my country of Mexico. I like to use a lot of silks to create fun and free spirited feminine looks or to layer with paint techniques.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I think a person should be willing to try anything, within reason. You never know what you are capable of creating unless you experiment.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Living and working in New York I see many well-dressed men with a mature sense of style, but I think it is important to develop your own taste and not always follow current trends. I think that men in Mexico City also dress extremely well because they are true to their traditional values in their appearance and not always focusing on wearing the latest looks.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold. My clothing is very original and brings together many different elements of design which highlights my background in art and fashion. I aspire to create modern prints with artisan detailing and hand painting techniques. I also like to create a variety of silhouettes in my collections and I am not afraid to try new things.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I like to look very structured and sophisticated. I wear a lot of tailored clothing because I think menswear looks best when it fits well.
Celebrities and style...
Are great platforms for fashion to be shown to the public.
A man should always look like...
An improved version of himself.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I have learned the most about style from experiences. Growing up in Mexico and making the transition to New York was a big step for me and I was exposed to so many different things during that stage of my life. I am still learning and seeing new and inspiring things everyday that contribute to my style.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I dress more functional and comfortable for work when I will be on my feet all day painting or draping. For nights out, I go more out on a limb and dress more colourful. I love dressing for conversation.
What is your biggest regret?
I have no regrets in general, but I would like to continue being a thoughtful fashion designer and creating well created collections.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Personality, colour, and fit.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
When shopping, I am attracted to artistic details. I appreciate clothing that has an apparent and strong thought process behind the design.
We will never see you wearing...
A full plaid suit.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Anna Wintour, of course!
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
The eyes; you can tell a lot about a person by their eyes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
I have several old photographs posted in my office of my parents and grandparents; the way they dressed in those days was so much more formal, it really taught me to always put effort into my personal style.
Which designers do you respect the most and why?
I admire Cristobal Balenciaga and also the iconic Karl Lagerfeld. I like the historical significance their roles have played in developing modern fashion through their continuous displays of elegance in their collections.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His choice when picking a suit coat/blazer.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
I adore a few one of a kind Mexican artisanal bright pullover shirts that I mix and match with more traditional pieces like blazers or slacks to match the occasion.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not at all. It is important to balance the two.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Michelle Harper; her sense of style is never contrived.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
To follow your intuition and never listen too much to what other peoples’ opinions are.
