Cator Sparks
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Author/Co-Author of 645 articles
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering menswear, grooming, lifestyle, and design for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, Details, Vanity Fair, Style, and The Huffington Post, to name a few. Cator splits his time between his apartment in Harlem and his home in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, where he escapes with his Scottish Terriers for Southern sojourns and excellent cuisine. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Cator’s work.
Wolverine Pops Up In New York
1883 was a good year for boots. That is when the Wolverine factory in Michigan began stitching up boots that were worn around the country building railroads and skyscrapers. Although they are still proudly made in the USA they haven’t had a retail presence outside of Michigan. Luckily for us (and just in time for […]
Teddy Roosevelt Style
With the $40 million restoration of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial at The American Museum of Natural History recently dedicated, we began to look back at our 26th President and realized – damn, he had style. The man not only carried a big stick but he knew what to wear when riding a moose, scaling the […]
Get Your Royal Warrior Fantasy on at Dromoland Castle
Every man dreams of his own castle, so if Ireland is your destination, Dromoland Castle is the place to stay.
Author Lesley M. M. Blume Discusses Her Favorite Old School Cocktails
Our eyes always roll when friends sloppily order a vodka soda to get their night going and never consider something more intriguing. There was a time when men would spend hours pouring, mixing and tasting till the wee hours, coming up with zany names, many of which have been forgotten. Luckily we have the elegant Lesley […]
Brooks Makes Saddles for Your Bike
It was 1865 and John Boultbee Brooks left his home in Leicestershire, England with a pocket full of pounds and headed to Birmingham where he established a horse harness and leather goods company and did quite well for himself. Sadly, in 1878 his favorite horse puttered out and unable to afford a new one he […]
Eau de Cologne Makes a Comeback
Men just weren’t meant to spritz. We dig smelling good but squirting cologne on pulse points or necks is just weird. That is what we are all about the return of ‘eau’. Eau de Cologne is all about shaking and splashing with abandon. Perfect for after the shower, you can douse a bit of scented […]
Nkwichi Lodge: Eco-Awesomeness in Mozambique
Many people think of Africa as safaris and hot, dry situations, but in Mozambique there is a hand built eco lodge right on the edge of Lake Niassa.
Chris Brinlee quit the cubicle and never looked back
I vomited after summiting a 20,305' Himalayan peak
A Kerouac-esque Road Trip Led Ross Langley to Design Your New Favorite Food App
Ross Langly is the designer between the new food app, Tell. Here he discusses his career from Australia to America and favorite fashion brands.
Introducing Alex Mill
The Manual learns more about the new menswear line from Alex Drexler, Alex Mill.
Worn Out Wednesday – Michael Satsky
Today we speak to Michael Satsky, co-owner of Provocateur, a nightclub in New York City.
Worn Out Wednesday – Canoe Builder Trent Preszler
I make boats in a barn studio that was built in 1820 as the original Mattituck Village Blacksmith.
The Ultimate Guide to Derby Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky
A Derby Weekend guide on what to do, where to drink, what to eat, & where to stay in Louisville, Kentucky during the most famous two minutes in sports.
The Manual Awards 2018: Athens, Georgia
Ever since Hugh Acheson, opened the Five & Then, melding Southern food with French and Italian influences, Athens, Georgia has come into its own. And we found the best of it.
Joel Lambert of Discovery Channel’s “Manhunt” Grew Up in the Worst Town in Washington
Joel Lambert, Discovery Channel’s resident escape and evasion expert and star of Manhunt, discusses his career and personal style.
A Love of Design Helped Simon Enever Create One Fun Toothbrush
Simon Enever is the co founder of Quip, the direct to consumer brand that is helping revolutionize oral health care. Today he discusses his career and sty
From the Red Carpet to Mission Trips, Mark Steines is One of Hollywood’s Busiest Men
Actor Mark Steines speaks to us about his personal style as well as his dynamic career from Entertainment Tonight to The Rose Parade.
Alexandre Douzet’s Fat Dog Changed his Career Path for the Better
Alexandre Douzet is the co-founder of the healthy dog food company, Ollie. He shares his career path and personal style with us today.
John Ashworth Got Golfers Out of Those Damn Plaid Pants
John Ashworth is an icon in the golf apparel industry and has launched a line of golf clothes for the younger generation.
Celebrate JFK’s 100th Birthday by Wearing his Favorite Cologne
In 1931 Krigler made a scent called America One 31 to celebrate the American spirit. It was a favorite of Hemingway and JFK.
‘Between Harlem and Heaven’ Brings Afro-Asian-American Flavors to Your Kitchen
"Between Harlem and Heaven" is, first and foremost, a cookbook. However, it reads like a culinary celebration of Manhattan's most soulful neighborhood.
David Coggins Explores How Men Dress and Why in Men and Style
In this new book by David Coggins, "Men and Style: Essays, Interviews, and Considerations" explores how men dress and why.
From Mill to Maker: Our Handmade Suit Experience with Martin Greenfield
We brought back fabric from the Harris Tweed mill in Scotland and documented the experience of getting handmade suit from Martin Greenfield.
Brendon Beck, one of NYC’s Top Caterers, Talks Fashion, Modeling, and Hockey
Former hockey player and fashion model, Brendon Beck is now one of NYC's best caterers, even designing his own serving trays.
How a Night at a Craps Table Landed Boo Ray a Music Career
Boo Ray is a southern troubadour who has forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Nashville nightclubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints.
How Tristan Cameron-Harper went from Ice Hockey Champ to Kilted Yogi Celebrity
Tristan Cameron-Harper speaks to us about his success as an ice hockey pro turned mountaineer and yogi through his adventure to Nepal and his Kilted Yoga.
A Gift Guide for Gals by ‘Suits’ Star (and Future Royal) Meghan Markle
As a guest contributor to The Manual, Meghan Markle outlines a swoon-worthy gift guide for the ladies in your life.
From Body Building to Gossip Girls, Luke Guldan Flexes his Acting Muscle
Luke Guldan has been a competitive body builder and is now focusing on acting. He speaks to us about the acting world as well as his personal style.
Bossa Nova Baby Cocktail Was Made for Day Drinking (Recipe & Video)
Kevin King of McCrady's Tavern in Charleston, South Carolina, explains the backstory to his favorite beverage for day drinking: the Bossa Nova Baby cocktail
The Zombie, a Rum-Based Cocktail, Will Set Your Party on Fire (Recipe and Video)
We asked Paul Yellin, owner of Cane Rhum Bar in Charleston, South Carolina to teach us how to make his very potent drink, The Zombie cocktail.
Dress to Impress this New Year’s Eve in a Classic Dinner Jacket
Whether you're attending a black-tie affair or watching the ball drop, there's one versatile jacket that you can wear to any occasion: the dinner jacket.
Through the Garden Cocktail’s Key Ingredient is Red Bell Pepper (Recipe & Video)
Bar manager Justin Simko at Husk in Charleston, South Carolina was challenged to make a drink with red bell pepper. The result? Through the Garden cocktail.
Our Top 10 Last-Minute Gift Ideas to Shop by Green Monday
Green Monday: It's your last day to order gifts before Christmas, dude! Here are some last-minute gift ideas to shop online. We got the family covered.
Amazon’s Amazin’ In-House Brands for Guys are Making Us Very Happy
Amazon Essentials, Buttoned Down, and Goodthreads are great-looking labels with incredible price points and a wide variety of men's basics.
Bellroy’s Passport Sleeve
With all of the conveniences of modern technology, when it comes to travel we still have papers flying. Passports, foreign currency, cab receipts and in some countries, paper boarding passes all clutter and confuse us. Luckily for us, a little company in Australia is working on making ‘Better ways to carry.’ Bellroy is focused on […]
How to Tie a Bow Tie: A Video Guide to the Best Bow Tie
Alex Wilcox, founder of Lord Willy’s haberdashery in New York City, teaches us how to tie a bow tie. Watch the video or follow our easy, step-by-step visual guide.
6 Historic Hotels With Pasts as Amazing as the Amenities
There are few place where you can truly visit the past like a historic hotel. These grand luxury lodges have hosted royals, politicians, and celebrities for centuries, and there is nothing quite like ordering a martini in the same bar as Hemingway.
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Marrakech, Morocco
From the dizzying markets to Atlas Mountain adventures, The Red City offers ample enjoyment and a whole lot of mint tea. We've gathered a list of the best things to do, places to stay, and delicacies to enjoy when visiting Marrakech, Morocco.
Thorin Decatur on How to Protect Your Scalp From the Summer Sun
The temperatures are reaching record highs across the country and whether you have to be outdoors for work or just hanging out at the beach, many guys (especially those of us with fading hairlines) forget to protect our scalps from the sun. We spoke to Thorin Decatur, a third generation barber and owner of the […]
The Manual’s Dos and Don’ts for Gym Grooming
The Manual helps guys go from gym to office with this handy gym grooming guide.
The Manual’s Guide to Hair Styling for Men
We spoke to Brian Porteous of Portland, Oregon’s Heritage Barber Shop for some expert hair styling advice.
Resqwater Makes Hangovers a Thing of the Past
We love to party too but that hangover really puts a damper on things. When we came across Resqwater we were intrigued.
Q&A with The Fat Radish’s Ben Towill on Their Delectable Cookbook
We sit down with The Fat Radish's Ben Towill to discuss their first cookbook
Worn Out Wednesdays – Henri Richter-Werner
We speak to Henri Richter-Werner from Connor NYC about his personal style.
Worn Out Wednesday – Hugh Horner
The Manual interviews Southern Chef Hugh Horner of Helsinki about his personal style.
Worn Out Wednesday – Max Wastler
The Manual sits down with Max Wastler to hear more about his personal style
Worn Out Wednesday – Topper Luciani
Nifty Thrifty founder, Topper Luciani talks about his personal style.