42 GQ.COM.AU SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
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@NICK_SMITHGQNICK SMITH
EDITOR IN CHIEFBeyond the fact they scrub up well, these
two men have been champions of women,
minorities, immigrants and LGBTIQ
individuals. The kind of people who now find
themselves struggling to see where they fit in
Trump’s world – or if they even fit into it at
all. But it’s comforting to know that there are
great role models out there for today’s young
men – you just have to know where to look.
Take James Franco. Yes, our cover star
is one of the most handsome men on the
planet, but it’s what he says in our interview
that really caught my attention. In what
must be his most open, honest interview
to date (p182), Franco discusses coming to
terms with his success, discovering who he
really is, and finding time to be present in
the moment. Sometimes we have to slow
down to get ahead.
It’s advice I’m trying to take on board,
too. I still check my news alerts eachmorning (hey, the man has his little hands
on the nuclear codes now), but I’m trying to
make sure I try my best to truly appreciate
each moment as it arrives.
Even though most days my calendar
barely allows me enough time for a quick
coffee between travel, shoots or meetings,
I still try to make an effort to sit back, take
a breath and be present whenever I can.
After all, I have to admit that being the
editor in chief of a magazine like GQ does
come with its perks. One of those is being
able to introduce this, our fantastic
September/October magazine.
I’m very proud that our Big Style Issue is
packed with opportunities to sit back and
appreciate the world we live in. Whether it’s
our frank chat with the hilariously mouthy
Liam Gallagher (p88); our foray into the
incredible world of Alessandro Michele’s
Gucci (p234); a visit to Iraq, more than
a decade after the conflict began (p228);
our bumper GQ Style section (p107); or
our in-depth look at why people believe
conspiracy theories (p194) – I’m confident
there’s something for everyone.
It truly is one of our biggest and best issues
of the year. And that, I’m very happy to say,
is some good news.Enjoy.Cotton/cashmere
shirt, approx.
$1620, by Tom Ford
at Harrolds; denim
jeans, approx.
$620, by
Fabric-Brand & Co.STYLING: OLIVIA HARDING. PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW BROOKES.