Will Welch

👞 Church’s “Shannon” Derby Shoes, 🎵 Ekkstacy, 📽️ Aguirre, the Wrath of God, and more.

February 27, 2024

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Will Welch is the New York City-based Global Editorial Director of GQ, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of GQ U.S.A. Originally Atlanta born, Welch began his work in magazines as an intern at The Fader where he notably penned Kanye West’s first ever cover story before his eventual move to deputy editor. After taking over at GQ in 2018, he kicked of an era of “New Masculinity” for the iconic publication with a cover featuring Pharell dressed in flowing bright yellow Moncler gown/jacket hybrid and interviews with Frank Ocean and Ezra Koenig. The magazine has been on a tear ever since with cover stars like Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, and Future, and continues to excite with each new issue. Lucky for us, Will is here to tell us what he’s been into.

🎵

Ekkstacy

My favorite young musician. The photographer Jason Nocito took me to see an Ekkstacy show in Brooklyn last year and it blew my mind: punk rock that incorporates all the best parts of Soundcloud rap (which itself borrows heavily from emo and punk… the circle is complete). Stacy has insane charisma, songs that are built like battleships, and miserable lyrics like “I walk this earth all by myself / I’m doing drugs but they don’t help.” And “sometimes I wish I was dead.” Perfect.

👞

RE-REC'D BY @marianoleonczik

As a young-ish dad, the Church's Shannon does hit. A more affordable / funkier option is the Michael from Paraboot. I also don't think anyone is too good for a pair of Solovair derby's too; affordable and sleeker than their step-brother over at Dr Martens.

Church’s “Shannon” derby shoes

This morning my friend Camilla texted a photo of me wearing sneakers to dinner last night and I was just like aw man ugh. I looked like a dork. I think it’s because, now that I’m in my 40’s, wearing “dad sneakers” isn’t a style move. They’re just sneakers. Please delete that photo, Camilla. I will wear my real shoes next time.

@will-welch

Feb 27, 2024

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Church’s “Shannon” derby shoes

📽️

Aguirre, the Wrath of God

I’ll watch anything by Werner Herzog and his documentaries are especially great. But this feature starring Klaus Kinski is my favorite thing he’s ever made, and one of my favorite movies period. Like most Herzog the whole project is seriously demented and there’s an *Apocalypse-Now-*like doubling thing going on, where the making of the film was almost as insane as the story he was dramatizing. I just saw Herzog has a new memoir out called Every Man for Himself and God Against All. I mean come on, I can’t wait to read that.

🧠

The Wisdom of Isaac Mizrahi

Many years ago my friend Nico and I used to watch these videos Isaac Mizrahi made where he'd answer fans’ questions. A lady in the Midwest was like, “I live in a small town where nothing stylish ever happens, and I need a new look.” Isaac was like, “Here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna find the most expensive hairdresser in your town, you’re gonna give him all your money, and you’re gonna let him do whatever he wants to you.” I think that is the best advice I’ve ever heard. It has really stuck with me even though I’m not a lady, I’m not from the Midwest, and I don’t need a new look.

👖

Artemas Quibble belts

The world is full of so many brilliant people who are compelled to make very specific, very special things with their hands, and if you are the type of person who can sense that certain objects have souls, I think it’s rewarding to seek out the small-scale visionaries among us. Jason Ross is one of them. His thing is belts. He makes the most weird and wonderful belts, with thick straps and hand-forged buckles. I first saw his work on set at a Keanu Reeves shoot for GQ in 2019 that George Cortina was styling. Find Artemas Quibble on IG and DM Jason and beg him to make you something. It’ll probably take a second. (And do as Isaac says: pay him whatever he asks.)

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Will Welch

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