A couple of words with Bryan Batt

Underwear models.

That was the main focus of my conversation with Bryan Batt, the gentleman who portrays the not-so-ambiguously gay Salvatore Romano on Mad Men.

Bryan Batt as Salvatore in Mad Men

Okay, underwear models weren’t really the main focus. But it was mentioned about five or six times.

Last week, while at Macy’s Passport, I was about to sip some tomato soup out of a cup when I have someone tap me on the shoulder and hear the words, “Dino, are you ready? Bryan is available for an interview right now.”

There was a sense of urgency (as always) at an event like Passport. I thoroughly enjoy attending this event every year to see what sort of spectacle they have in store for us (click here to read more about the show). This year, Mr. Batt was serving as the host of the show and Mehcad Brooks from True Blood was about to strut his stuff down the runway as a guest model.

As I entered the mainstage, still craving my espresso cup of tomato soup, I was introduced to Mr. Batt (keep in mind, this was before Mad Men won at the Emmys). He was full of excitement and talking a mile a minute. He was even exhausting me. I swear, I think I was starting to sweat because he had so much energy. I felt like I was going to explode.

So I asked him my first question, “What are you looking forward – ” immediately he said, “Underwear models, are you kidding me?” His infectious chuckle had the personality of a non-annoying gameshow host – endearing and genuine.

As the longest-running HIV/AIDS event of its kind, Macy’s Passport has collected over $28 million for services, prevention, and research and Batt knows it’s more than just about underwear models.

“I’ve been working for (causes) that deal with AIDS and HIV for years,” says Batt. “I do what I have to do. I think anything that could reach out or gets the message out. This disease has been around for too long. However we can get the message out is great.”

Passport is part concert, part dance performance and part fashion show – and Batt was all about the fashion part.

“I’m wearing a Hugo Boss suit,” he laughs during mid–sentence. “I had to fit that into the interview.”

Considering he is from such an iconic show that has been a template of pop culture style (I’m talking about Mad Men in case you haven’t been paying attention), it was interesting to see his take on how the show influenced the world of fashion.

“I think that the ladylike look was coming back before Mad Men,” says Batt. “The show just clenched it. Narrow ties were even coming back before the show. The pendulum was there. Mad Men just helped it swing.”

I wrapped the interview because I was hungry and I knew my espresso cup of tomato soup was waiting outside in the reception area decorated like a farmer’s market complete with a folksy band.

Actually, I would’ve talked more but Mr. Batt was busy.

Bryan Batt, underwear models and tomato soup: what a night.