Local Pastor Set to Make New York Fashion Week Debut with Latest Collection from His Own Clothing Line

Distinguished pastor and acclaimed fashion designer, Bishop Craig N. Coates, is set to debut his Spring/Summer 2025 collection during the prestigious New York Fashion Week in Times Square next month.  

Known for his unique blend of elegance and 
innovation, Bishop Coates, Senior Pastor at Fresh Start Church & Family Life Conference Center in Glen Burnie, will present a 10-piece collection that spans from everyday sportswear to high-end red-carpet designs.

Coates began his fashion career 40 years ago, as a student at South River High School in Edgewater. Last year, Bishop Coates, along with family and friends, was joined by dozens of elected officials and community leaders for the much anticipated grand opening of Craig Coates Couture Bridal Salon in Annapolis.  The highly sought after brand opened its first flagship store at The Gardner Center, 1910 Forest Drive, Suite 2-A.  

"Fashion design brings art directly to your skin. It shows not just who you are but the values that make you who you are," Coates said on the store's website.  "Our designs come from the belief that our future selves are going to be our best selves. We provide the fashion for who those people are going to be and package it for who we are now." 

Over the the last four decades, Coates has designed for celebrities and high-profile clientele, gaining significant recognition. His couture fashions were featured on BET’s Single Ladies, worn by actress Nicole Ari Parker. In 2016, Coates expanded the popular brand by creating a fashion line exclusively for ministers, which has since achieved worldwide success. 

The showcase during New York Fashion Week will be a defining moment in Coates’ career, as he unveils his latest collection in the heart of Times Square on Thursday, September 5th. This event marks not only a significant achievement for Coates but also for the local community, as a homegrown talent takes center stage in one of the world’s most renowned fashion arenas.

Upon his return to Maryland, plans are underway for a special celebration, where locals 
will have the opportunity to view the collection firsthand and honor this remarkable 
milestone in Coates’ career.