5 Things We Learned... Cator Sparks
I met Cator Sparks in 2006 when a mutual friend took me to his lush, eclectic home in Harlem, NYC. A charming bon vivant, Cator exuded what I love most about Southerners - an innate ability to say “Come in. Rest awhile. Get comfortable.” by simply opening the door. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Cator moved to NYC in 1999 and worked in beauty and fashion PR before becoming a journalist. Cator was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual.com from 2013-2018, a popular men’s lifestyle guide. He has written for Architectural Digest, Departures, Bloomberg Pursuits, and 1stDibs to name a few. Cator’s charismatic style has also been profiled by The Daily Telegraph and Bill Cunningham’s section of The New York Times, among others.
Cator splits his time between NYC and his home in downtown Charleston, which he creatively restored. His long-standing attention to building and fostering his local communities - particularly for youth and LGBTQ support - has now evolved into a new career as a life coach. Cator focuses on men’s wellness and mindfulness through coaching, conversation, and retreats. In an era where masculinity needs a real makeover, I’m thrilled Cator has taken the wheel.
Here are 5 Things We Learned about Cator.
What made you...you?
To get all Jungian I believe I am still becoming me! Every birthday I reflect on what I have learned and how I thought I knew it all the year before. Growing up in the South gave me a strong sense of family, manners, and not taking it all so seriously. While I still have an apartment in NYC, I was really entrenched there from 2002-2016 and those gorgeously Gatsby days certainly molded a part of me too. From 9/11 to the Bernie Madoff meltdown, a lot transpired in those 14 years and I feel like I am lucky to have experienced NYC at that time.
When are you happiest?
My Charleston home is my sacred space but I am blissful on my weekly morning beach walk with my two Scottish Terriers just being present and enjoying watching their uncontrolled happiness. The dog bath after is a bit of a come down though!
Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?
In my work I have never really looked towards or needed a muse. While reading other authors’ work can be inspiring, I don’t have just one person to wax poetic about. The term muse to me evokes a divine creature swanning around in a lacy gown quipping bon mots, it can also mean one who stimulates others. I am lucky to have many creative friends who I believe I have inspired or stimulated to find new ideas, make big life changes or set new goals for themselves. A muse in my book is basically a life coach!
Who do you admire?
Today’s youth. I am board chair of We Are Family, a non-profit supporting LGBTQ+ youth in South Carolina and the kids I have met are politically active, engaging, energetic and see the world in a much bigger way than I did at their age. They are truly inspiring.
What is important?
Self Care. Too many people are running around taking care of other people or promoting an idea of themselves on social media that they can’t live up to. We all need to take a step back, breath, be quiet and love ourselves a little more.
Check out Cator’s past writing work here. I’m particularly fond of his articles on Design Hotels for AD and chic travel guide to Charleston for Departures.
Cheer on Cator’s new work as a career coach here.
Follow Cator’s ever clever travel and style advice on Instagram.
Images from left to right: Portrait of Cator by Caroline Knopf; Cover art for Hutton Wilkinson interview featured in Architectural Digest; Profile in The Cut; Cover art for The Manual; Cover art for NYC private rooms feature in Architectural Digest; Cover art for Atlanta Guide in Departures
