People call me Your Worship鈥hich is a little awkward. You can call me Colin.鈥�
When I meet 麻豆精选鈥檚 charismatic and stylish youngest-ever mayor at his office to chat about life and style, I quickly realize he isn鈥檛 lacking in either department.
Born and raised in 麻豆精选, Colin was educated in broadcast journalism at BCIT and came back to 麻豆精选 as a TV reporter for Global Television Network.
鈥淚 was able to get a job out of school in the city that I was born and raised in; it was awesome. I thought, 鈥榟ow can it get any better than this?鈥� Well, clearly it can.鈥�
Eventually he got into politics, first as a city councillor and then a mayor in 2014 鈥攔eplacing a person who was exactly twice his age.
Asked what nugget of his work really gets him fired up, he said, 鈥淚f people were to see the amount of reading necessary to prepare for council meetings, they would likely think it鈥檚 pretty boring, but I love policy! In the last three and a half years, I鈥檝e become a real urban planning geek; I鈥檝e really learned how urban design can impact mental and physical health. So what I鈥檓 passionate about is people living in neighbourhoods that are higher density, closer to work, closer to where the amenities are and closer to good transit. In this way, we can really change how people live.鈥�
What innate quality has led to his success?
鈥淣obody who has known me for a long time is surprised by what I鈥檓 doing because I鈥檝e always instinctively taken a leadership role. I鈥檓 a firm believer that if you want something done or want to see something move in a particular way, you get involved. I鈥檝e always been that person who鈥檚 鈥榠n the know鈥� which is probably why journalism is a natural for me. And it鈥檚 to a whole new level as mayor, because now I really know what鈥檚 going on in this city.鈥�
During our meeting we had to pause briefly so that a group of school children could meet with the mayor and ask him questions. As they filed by me into his office, I overhear one young boy whisper to his friend, 鈥淗e鈥檚 wearing a white suit!鈥�
| 麻豆精选 Mayor Colin Basran photographed by Lia Crowe for Boulevard Magazine. |
Noting that he clearly rocks his own style, I asked how fashion has played into his life.
鈥淚鈥檝e always loved it, always been drawn to it. Part of me believes I grew up in the wrong era. I was a huge fan of Mad Men and the fashion in that show. I love the skinny suits, skinny ties, good shoes and good scotch. I鈥檓 not going to lie: I also love the TV show Miami Vice 鈥� the bright colours, the tight rolled pants and no socks. If I had to describe my style I鈥檓 like a cross between Mad Men and Miami Vice.鈥�
Asked what鈥檚 the best life lesson he鈥檚 learned since 40, he said, 鈥淚鈥檝e learned to value the friends that I had before I became a politician because they knew me as Colin, the guy who loved to throw a good party. I鈥檝e also learned that although this job is awesome, it doesn鈥檛 define me, and it isn鈥檛 the most important thing in my life 鈥� my family and friends are.鈥�
CLOTHES/ GROOMING
Uniform: Suit with no tie. Favourite Denim, brand and cut: Nothing fancy here. American Eagle skinny jeans. Current go-to clothing Item: Love a good blazer! Just makes an outfit a bit more sophisticated. Best new purchase: Pink suit from RW & Co. Currently Coveting: A new silver wrist watch. Favourite work tool: Smartphone. Sunglasses: Aviator style 鈥� any brand. Scent: Bleu de Chanel. Necessary indulgence: I get a haircut every two weeks. Who cuts your hair: Carolin Biafore from Mirror Mirror Salon and Spa.
STYLE INSPIRATIONS/LIFE
Iconic Celebrity who inspires your style: John F. Kennedy. Favourite artist: Gord Downie. Favourite Film or TV show you love for its style: Mad Men and Miami Vice. Last great read: The Happy City by Charles Montgomery. Book currently reading: Brain Maker by Dr. David Perlmutter. Favourite book of all time: Hammer of the Gods, The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis. Favourite Cocktail/Wine: An Old Fashioned or scotch (neat) and any red wine will do! Album on current rotation: From the Fires by Greta Van Fleet. 鈥淚f you鈥檝e not heard of them yet, you should!鈥� Favourite Musician: Dave Grohl. Favourite City to Visit: New York. Favourite App: Instagram. Hotel: Grand Wailea. Favourite place in the whole world: 麻豆精选, baby!
-Story and photograph by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
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