It’s hard to believe this January will mark 10 years
since we lost Heath Ledger, one of the finest actors of
his generation. I’m also very proud to be honouring the
Heath Ledger Scholarship (p184), to recognise all the
work they’ve done fostering the next generation of
Australian acting talent.
So those are the Aussies. But this year, we’ve
expanded beyond our shores more than ever before.
Not only have our fashion and editorial teams jetted off
to Los Angeles, New York, London, Milan and Paris to
make this issue possible, but our Men of the Year edition
also celebrates some of the most talented individuals
from around the globe.
There are those closer to home, Kiwis like the man
behind Thor: Ragnarok, the brilliant director, Taika
Waititi (p146), and Riverdale leading man and rising
star, KJ Apa (p147).
Further afield, we have Amber Heard (p188), who has not
only had one of the biggest years of her career but has been
a tireless champion for victims of domestic violence. Jeff
Goldblum, the man, the icon (p196); the multi-talented
Ansel Elgort (p176); the impossibly handsome Jon
Kortajarena (p185); Virgil Abloh of label Off-White, on
how he’s forging a new era of streetwear cool (p154); and we
discuss why A$AP Rocky is the coolest man on earth (p170).
By the time you’re reading this letter, we’ve handed out
our 19 gongs to these incredible winners at our exclusive
gala event at The Star Sydney – and the GQ team is taking
a well-earned break, after travelling the corners of the earth
to bring you this fantastic issue. They deserve awards of
their own for wrangling, shooting and creating incredible
stories for some of the biggest talent on earth.
Which brings me to another big announcement of my own. I’ve had the pleasure of helming
this incredible brand GQ on and off for 10 years and over that time we’ve grown with the style and
sophistication of Australian men – I hope we have played no small part in that – into what is now
Australia’s best premium lifestyle brand for men. I thank you for all your loyalty to this brand under
my stewardship, for the letters, the emails, and the likes and the emojis. I’ll be going back behind
the scenes from now in my other job of publishing GQ and its sister brands Vog ue and Vogue Living.
Stepping in or up will be Michael Christensen, who I’m thrilled to announce as Editor of GQ.
Mike has been with the GQ team for five years and has recently been driving much of our incredible
content as Managing Editor. Mike loves GQ and what it stands for and I know you’ll love what
he’ll deliver. And just like you, he’s smart, sharp, and seriously on the tempo of our times.
Stay with us as 2018 is going to be a huge year as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in Australia
and launch or GQ Gentlemen’s Initiative which will serve to help make the world a better place –
and doesn’t the world need that right now.So for the final time, enjoy the issue.NICKNNI C KI C K S M S MSMITHI T HI T H
EDITOR IN CHIEFFOLLOW NICK
@NICK_SMITHGQ PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM ASHTON.28 GQ.COM.AU MEN OF THE YEAR 2017