The Summer 2016 issue of GQ Style (USA) marked the launch of the quarterly fashion magazine as a standalone publication. Released as "Volume 1, Issue 1," this inaugural edition combined high-fashion editorial content with cultural features and in-depth profiles, establishing the publication's identity as distinct from the monthly GQ magazine.
The debut issue featured actor Robert Downey Jr. on the cover, photographed by Pari Dukovic. The magazine presented itself as a guide to "All the Freshest Summer Fashion Gear" and included feature stories on LeBron James's Nike deal, the Marley family, and various style topics.
"What does luxury even mean in 2016? At this point, the term is an empty shell—a talking point for marketers up-selling their wares. Do you know anyone who wakes up and aspires to general luxuriousness? I do not." — Will Welch, Editor-in-Chief, in his inaugural letter
Table of Contents
- Letter from the Editor: "A New Blueprint for Thriving" (by Will Welch)
- What to Wear Now: 10 Essential Summer Trends
- 3 Labels on Fire (Ring Jacket, Our Legacy, Common Projects)
- Quick Reads
- Buying for Value: Low-Key Summer Status Symbols
- Five Art Books That Expanded My Mind
- Fashion's New Experience Economy
- Bulletproof Business Advice from Maverick Carter
- There's Nothing Hard About the #Menswear Pose
- Features
- Cover Story: Robert Downey Jr. (by Zach Baron)
- Are You a Minimalist or a Maximalist?
- Summer Suits with Attitude
- Sid Mashburn's Impeccably Tailored Universe
- Cars & Watches
- The Jamaican Vibration
- The Regal Style of Bob Marley
- A Marley Family Reunion
- Escape to Port Antonio
- 10 Essential LPs from the Golden Era of Reggae
Cover and Featured Content
The cover featured Downey photographed by Pari Dukovic at "the Downey world headquarters on the Westside of L.A." The in-depth interview explored Downey's career, personal style, and business ventures, including his production company and upcoming projects.
"When a black man—yes, a rock star, but still a black rock star from the so-called Third World—struts onstage in a way that makes a peacock seem bashful, in a brown leather vest and pants, tripping on ballsy, risking ridiculous but still coming off regal, prophetic, almost like the Lion of Judah he sang about, you gotta wonder, where did all that come from?" — Marlon James on Bob Marley's unique style
The issue devoted significant space to fashion features, including "Summer Suits with Attitude," which showcased celebrities and style icons including Christian Slater, Odell Beckham Jr., and members of the band The 1975.
Editorial Team and Contributors
The issue was created by the following editorial team:
- Editor-in-Chief: Will Welch
- Design Director: Fred Woodward
- Creative Director: Jim Moore
- Managing Editor: Catherine Gundersen
- Fashion Director: Mobolaji Dawodu
- Director of Photography: Krista Prestek
- Senior Editors: Noah Johnson, Nick Marino
Key contributors to this issue included:
- Zach Baron (Robert Downey Jr. cover story writer)
- Marlon James (writer of "The Regal Style of Bob Marley")
- Elvis Mitchell (writer of "Sid Mashburn's Impeccably Tailored Universe")
- Ryan McGinley (contributor of "Five Art Books That Expanded My Mind")
- Edwin "Stats" Houghton (writer of "A Marley Family Reunion" and "10 Essential LPs")
Sections and Regular Features
What to Wear Now: 10 Essential Summer Trends
This section highlighted key fashion trends for Summer 2016:
- The complete luggage wardrobe (featuring brands like Rimowa, Louis Vuitton, and Goyard)
- Designer-approved sunglasses from labels such as Thom Browne, Tom Ford, and Dior Homme
- Groovy swim trunks from brands like Missoni and Salvatore Ferragamo
- Loose summer pants
- Decadent silky shirts
- The seven-fold tie
- Asian body art in fashion
- The barbershop fade haircut
- Showstopping loafers
3 Labels on Fire
This feature profiled three ascending fashion brands:
- Ring Jacket : Japanese suiting brand founded in 1954 by Jhoichi Fukushima, gaining popularity in America through stores like The Armoury and Supply & Advise.
- Our Legacy : Swedish brand founded by Jockum Hallin and Cristopher Nying offering punk-influenced fashion for grown-ups.
- Common Projects : Minimalist luxury sneaker brand founded by Flavio Girolami and Peter Poopat, known for their iconic Achilles model.
Quick Reads
- Buying for Value: An essay by Michael Williams on making thoughtful purchasing decisions based on quality over marketing.
- Five Art Books That Expanded My Mind: The photographer Ryan McGinley's selection of influential art books that shaped his vision.
- Fashion's New Experience Economy: An exploration by Devin Friedman of how fashion brands were opening hotels, restaurants, and other experiential venues to extend their brand universes.
- Bulletproof Business Advice from Maverick Carter: An interview with Maverick Carter, LeBron James's business partner, discussing his management of James's career and their billion-dollar Nike deal.
- There's Nothing Hard About the #Menswear Pose: A critique by Mary H.K. Choi of the ubiquitous wrist-grabbing pose in men's fashion photography.
Special Reports and Profiles
The issue featured several notable profiles and special reports:
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Sid Mashburn's Impeccably Tailored Universe: A profile by Elvis Mitchell of designer Sid Mashburn and his approach to menswear and retail. The article explored Mashburn's philosophy of creating community through his stores and his dedication to quality and value.
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The Marley Family: A section devoted to the legacy of Bob Marley, including "The Regal Style of Bob Marley" by Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James and "A Marley Family Reunion" featuring photographs of Marley's children and grandchildren, including Ziggy Marley, Damian Marley, and Cedella Marley.
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Cars & Watches: A feature pairing luxury timepieces with corresponding automobiles, curated by Ben Clymer of Hodinkee.
Photography and Artwork
The issue showcased exceptional photography, most notably Pari Dukovic's images of Robert Downey Jr. for the cover story. Other notable visual content included:
- Fashion photography by Jason Kibbler for the "Summer Suits with Attitude" feature
- Travel photography by Aaron Feaver for the "Escape to Port Antonio" feature
- Portrait photography by Eric Ray Davidson for the Marley family reunion
- Product photography by Adrian Gaut, Josephine Schiele, and James Ryang
Editorial Approach
In his inaugural editor's letter titled "A New Blueprint for Thriving," Will Welch outlined the magazine's philosophy. He questioned what luxury means in 2016, suggesting that the publication would focus on "the charged-up feeling that comes from living a limitless, unbound life." Welch described the magazine's aim as helping readers develop taste, explore the world, dress with panache, and balance business with creativity.
Welch defined the core values of GQ Style as "hopefulness, helpfulness, and humility," emphasizing service to readers. This approach differentiated the publication from traditional luxury magazines by focusing on authentic lifestyle enhancement rather than status signaling.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Summer 2016 issue reflected several cultural currents of the time:
- A renewed appreciation for craftsmanship and authenticity in fashion, as seen in the profiles of artisanal brands like Ring Jacket
- The growing importance of experience over mere acquisition in luxury markets
- The ongoing influence of musical icons like Bob Marley on fashion and culture
- The rise of celebrities as business entrepreneurs, exemplified by the LeBron James/Maverick Carter partnership
Legacy and Influence
As the first issue of a new publication, GQ Style Summer 2016 laid the groundwork for what would become a significant fashion quarterly. The magazine positioned itself at the intersection of luxury, culture, and lifestyle, offering readers a more in-depth and thoughtful approach to style than the monthly GQ magazine.
The issue represented an evolution in men's fashion media, balancing aspirational content with practical style advice, cultural commentary, and lifestyle features. Its launch came at a time when the definition of luxury was being reimagined, and GQ Style sought to capture this shifting landscape with a fresh perspective.
Contributors and Credits
The magazine was published under the broader Condé Nast publishing house, with Jim Nelson serving as editor-in-chief of the main GQ publication and Howard S. Mittman as publisher and chief revenue officer.