Last night, an A-list roll call of some of Australia’s biggest international stars attended the annual GQ Men of the Year Awards in association with Chivas, including cover stars, GQ International Sensation Cody Simpson (who won over the crowd with a performance of Jeff Buckley’s “Lilac Wine”), GQ International Style Icon David Gandy, GQ Sports Legend Michael Clarke, GQ Actor of the Year Jai Courtney and GQ Woman of the Year Ruby Rose.
From actors and athletes to media personalities and musicians, artists, models and hospitality heavyweights the 2015 GQ Men of the Year Awards were one of the biggest in the nine-year history of the event.
The function was held at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom, coincidentally a venue run by the winner of Entrepreneur of the Year, Justin Hemmes. After host Daniel Macpherson had been sweating it out onstage, Hemmes revealed when he accepted his award his trick was to turn up the air conditioning so people will drink more! “But I forgot that it is all on the house tonight!” The favoured beverage of the evening was Chivas which sponsors the event and gets naming rights.
Jai Courtney and Michael Clarke covers for the GQ Men of the Year edition
Some some of the country’s best actors, including Ryan Corr, Luke Bracey and Sophie Lowe joined models Jordan Barrett, Jai Stevens, Zac and Jordan Stenmark, along with media people Waleed Aly, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons.
Former Olympian and 2014 Man of Inspiration Ian Thorpe joined sporting legends Michael Clarke, David Pocock and Mick Fanning, and celebrity chefs Matt Moran, Guillaume Brahimi, designers Kym Ellery, Dion Lee and Patrick Johnson, and international judge and singer Joel Madden who were all in attendance at the exclusive black tie dinner and awards ceremony for 250 guests.
The main table at the front of the crowded ballroom include incoming News Corp Australia CEO Peter Tonagh, NewsLifeMedia CEO Nicole Sheffield, Actor of the Year Jai Courtney and his parents, and busy News.com.au editor-at-large Melissa Hoyer. NewsLifeMedia editors were out in force including Vogue Living’s editor-in-chief Neale Whitaker, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann and delicious. editor-in-chief Kerrie McCallum who launches her new website this morning.
GQ Australia editor-in-chief Nicholas Smith, in a detailed opening speech, noted that the decision to feature five collectable covers reflected the incredible talent of so many contenders this year. “The GQ Men of the Year Awards celebrate extraordinary individuals who continually raise the bar in their fields. Achieving greatness all while remaining true gentlemen is what makes all of our winners truly extraordinary and worthy of their GQ trophies.”
Making his first official appearance for GQ last night was incoming editor Matthew Drummond who has been on gardening leave as he moves across from The Australian Financial Review. Drummond looked a little daunted by the scale of the event. He will be in charge of organising the tenth year of the GQ Men of the Year in 2016.
The special GQ Men of the Year edition goes on sale Thursday with five special covers featuring some of the winners.
David Gandy and Cody Simpson covers for the GQ Men of the Year edition
Complete list of the 2015 GQ Men and Woman of the Year:
International Man of Style, David Gandy
International Sensation, Cody Simpson
Woman of the Year, Ruby Rose
Sporting Legend, Michael Clarke
Actor of the Year, Jai Courtney
Man of Chivalry, David Pocock
Man of Style, Jordan Barrett
Breakthrough Actor, Ryan Corr
Musician of the Year, Daniel Johns
Breakthrough Solo Artist, Troye Sivan
Sportsman of the Year, Mick Fanning
Duo of the Year, The Madden Brothers
Chef of the Year, Guillaume Brahimi
Entrepreneur of the Year, Justin Hemmes
Media Personality of the Year, Waleed Aly
Artist of the Year, Myuran Sukumaran
Menswear Designer of the Year, Patrick Johnson