Celebrating Three Decades of Influence: A Night of Glamour and Recognition
Hailey Bieber's Striking Entrance: A Nod to 90s Fashion
As the doors of the Chateau Marmont opened on Thursday evening, all gazes turned towards Hailey Bieber. The Rhode founder's arrival commanded attention, a familiar scene for the style icon, even amidst a gathering of other luminaries. The occasion was GQ's milestone 30th annual Men of the Year celebration, which commenced with an intimate dinner in the Chateau's legendary Room 64. Alongside Bieber, the evening honored fellow cover stars Stephen Colbert, Sydney Sweeney, Seth Rogen, SZA, Oscar Isaac, and Pusha T and Malice of Clipse.
The 90s Hollywood Red Carpet: Setting a High Bar for Style
However, in a city accustomed to celebrity, it was Bieber's fashion choice that truly captivated. As twilight descended upon Sunset Boulevard, she emerged onto the penthouse terrace, martini in hand, in a custom-made black Gucci gown by Demna. The open-back design, revealing a bedazzled G-string, perfectly encapsulated the evening's '90s Hollywood Red Carpet' dress code—a tribute to three decades of Men of the Year. Her ensemble was a direct homage to Tom Ford's controversial Gucci thong from 1996, an outfit that would undoubtedly have dominated social media discussions had it existed then.
A Legacy of Influence: Three Decades of GQ Men of the Year
The year 1996 marked another significant event: the inception of GQ Men of the Year. This annual recognition of the most impactful personalities in Hollywood, music, sports, and fashion debuted in November of that year, featuring icons like Mel Gibson, Jerry Seinfeld, and Michael Jordan. Thirty years later, the tradition continues, celebrating individuals who shape the cultural landscape.
Evolving Traditions: Broader Recognition and Lavish Festivities
While the essence of the event remains, some aspects have evolved. Since Jennifer Aniston graced the cover in 2005, the "Men of the Year" celebration has expanded to include influential women. What hasn't changed is the celebratory atmosphere. This year's gala, hosted by GQ global editorial director Will Welch, was supported by Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Lexus, Capital One, Eli Lilly and Company, and Ralph's Club New York, with special acknowledgment to the 1 Hotel West Hollywood.
Embracing the Nineties: Fashion and Nostalgia
The male honorees also immersed themselves in the '90s glam-meets-grunge aesthetic. Stephen Colbert amplified the nostalgic vibe with a leather jacket and polka-dot necktie. Expressing his delight while holding a copy of the magazine with photographer Tyrell Hampton, Colbert reminisced, "I love it!" Hampton, who captured Colbert and the other Men of the Year subjects at the Chateau in September, playfully added, "I still can't believe we got you in the pool."
Star-Studded Gatherings: A Who's Who of Hollywood
Seth Rogen, engaged in conversation with Oscar Isaac, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and his co-star from The Studio, Chase Sui Wonders, near the bar, opted for a classic pre-Instagram style with a navy Prada blazer and blue jeans. He humorously confessed to red carpet hosts How Long Gone, "I had dreadlocks," thankfully not reprising his '90s hairstyle. Will Welch initiated the dinner with a toast to the many collaborators of the issue, humorously noting, "This is actually Stephen's 137th GQ cover." Colbert's witty retort: "One more, and I get to keep it!"
The Legendary Chateau Marmont: A Return to its Nineties Glory
Following dinner, attendees filled the elevators, descending for the main event at the hotel renowned for its scandalous society events in, coincidentally, the '90s. Before Jake Lenderman, known as MJ Lenderman, enchanted the lobby with a melancholic rendition of Counting Crows' '90s anthem "A Long December," he admitted to being unaccustomed to performing for such a celebrity-filled audience.
Pop Culture Collisions: Unexpected Encounters and Shared Moments
Walton Goggins, a frequent visitor to the Chateau since '94, remarked on its enduring allure: "There is no place that holds the psyche, that holds the memories in Los Angeles like the Chateau Marmont. It belongs to the ages." He added with a wink, concealing his eyes behind dark Neo-esque shades, "I have stayed in maybe 25 of these rooms, but I never checked in as a guest, ever, until a couple of years ago."
Fashion Forward: Gen-Z's Vintage Interpretations
Navigating the party felt like a pop culture Mad Libs game, with unexpected celebrity pairings. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner mingled near the caviar bar with Tyriq Withers, while Offset chatted with Young Thug. Noah Baumbach settled at the bar with Alexander Skarsgaard. Amelia Gray enthusiastically greeted Gabbriette, Zack Bia, and Iris Law. Nettspend connected with Shaboozey and Alton Mason. Kun commanded the dance floor, and Pusha T navigated a throng of admirers, including Anderson .Paak and A$AP Ferg, to greet André 3000, who was socializing with skateboarders Tyshawn Jones and Evan Mock. The cast of I Love LA distributed shots to everyone in their energetic sphere.
The Visionary of Vintage: Haider Ackermann's Dominance
Ironically, it was the Gen-Z attendees who most romantically embraced the evening's theme. Bieber wasn't the only one to perfectly execute a vintage reference; Sweeney shimmered in a 1995 crushed velvet Versace gown, while Quenlin Blackwell arrived in a red velvet Tom Ford-era Gucci tuxedo, famously worn by Gwyneth Paltrow, before transitioning into a Spring 1996 Mugler suit to co-host the red carpet.
A Night of Musical Performances and Personal Connections
Tom Ford, a reigning figure of '90s runways, was fittingly represented by current Tom Ford creative director and GQ's 2025 designer of the year, Haider Ackermann. Ackermann held court by the DJ booth throughout the night, surrounded by friends and admirers dressed in his alluring eveningwear, including Oscar Isaac, Sombr, Amelia Gray, Olivia Rodrigo, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger, flexing in his leather moto set, declared, "I feel kind of like my dad, Terminator style."
Ackermann's Philosophy: Comfort and Personal Style
Ackermann emphasized his focus on personal expression: "It's not about dressing celebrities tonight. There’s an elegance in everyone that I’m dressing, there’s a gesture, there's a swag. And they make it their own. That's what I love about it, because I hope I’m not dressing you, I hope that you feel just comfortable in my clothes and that you feel yourself." He light-heartedly admitted to a hazy recollection of the '90s, stating, "Back in the ’90s I lost myself in the nightlife, so there's not much I remember."
Clipse's Electrifying Performance: A Highlight of the Evening
Around 10:00 p.m., Clipse invigorated the crowd with a dynamic performance of three singles from their Grammy-nominated album, Let God Sort Em Out, with "F.I.C.O." resonating particularly powerfully. Even Pusha T, at the height of his career, found himself starstruck. "I met SZA's mom and dad, and I did not know SZA's dad is from Richmond, Virginia!" he shared, "That was cool."
A Playful End to a Memorable Evening
Eventually, guests spilled into the garden, where Gen-Z "River Phoenixes" congregated near the bar. John C. Reilly, observing the scene with a black bowler cap perched on his head, quipped, "Man, I thought the theme was 1890s!"