As the year gallops toward its end—it’s hard to believe 2025 is just six weeks away—the awards season is heating up. The GQ Men of the Year 2024 Party coincided with the release of the magazine’s annual Men of the Year issue, celebrating honourees like ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Dwayne Johnson and ‘Designer of the Year’ Pharrell Williams.
Fittingly, with Pharrell being an honouree, this year’s theme was ‘American Rodeo’. Naturally, this meant plenty of fringe, leather, and cowboy hats, though the results varied from stylishly on-theme to questionably camp.
Let’s saddle up and take a closer look at the night’s most notable looks.
Rough rider
While Dwayne Johnson’s hat secured his rodeo credentials, its positioning was odd—is it backward? sideways? — I can’t figure it out, but I tried not to let it distract me from the otherwise solid waistcoat and trousers look.
Fringe frontier
Pharrell Williams, who helped make cowboy chic a trend this year alongside Beyonce, stayed true to his style roots with a fringed leather Louis Vuitton jacket. He effortlessly captured the essence of the evening while staying quintessentially Pharrell.
Throwback rodeo
Meadow Walker stole the show with a vintage Roberto Cavalli Spring 2004 dress. The geometric leather corset, chiffon details, and ostrich feather fringe made this archival find the night’s best look.
Cowgirl couture
On anyone else I would be saying “what the…?” in reference to this Moschino Fall 2024 look, but considering Dree Hemingway has been Miss Minimalism in recent times, and the hat keeps this on theme; I’m here for the leap outside her comfort-zone. There is no point going to a Rodeo-themed party, if you’re not going to have fun with it.
Angelic allure
Dove Cameron has officially left her goth glam phase behind as we close 2024. Her sensual white cowl-neck Yvon Iris gown was elegant and ethereal. The diamond necklace may have been unnecessary given the embellished shoulder strap, but her lighter aesthetic is a welcome change. She’s almost unrecognisable.
Diesel cowboy
Known for bold style statements, Damiano David opted for a custom Diesel three-piece tuxedo in coated wool, styled with leather boots featuring his signature on the sole. The look combined Hollywood Western flair with Diesel’s edgy DNA and celebrated his newly launched Diesel X Damiano David capsule collection.
Redemption For Chloé’s Fall 2024 boots
Jhené Aiko became the first celebrity to style Chloé Fall 2024 boots in season. While Zoe Saldana debuted her at the start of Spring, and Sienna Miller wore hers in June and to a summer festival, Jhené nailed the timing and paired them perfectly with her flirty Chloé dress.
Minimal misstep
Hannah Einbinder’s Ralph Lauren dress was understated to a fault. After her previous bold style choices, this felt too safe and very underwhelming.
Studded and stunning
Laura Harrier returned to form in a Ferragamo Fall 2024 halter dress adorned with lacquered studs. It was familiar territory for her – silhouette wise, but no less stunning.
Boot envy
I guess someone had to bring the cowboy boots. But you just know that Mary J Blige is mad she didn’t get her hands on Coco Jones’ Sonora Melrose leather over-the-knee red and black boots first.
Utility in style
Kaytranada embraced the utilitarian trend in a Ferragamo Sahariana jacket from the Resort 2024 collection. The clean, functional lines added a modern edge to the rodeo themed event.
Like a Rhinestone Cowboy
Evan Mock channelled his inner rhinestone cowboy in Gucci studded suit from Alessandro Michele Fall 2022 collection, with more flair imbued by this leather lace up vest.
Like a Rhinestone Cowgirl
GQ’s Best Dressed Honouree, Naomi Osaka donned an AMIRI ensemble complete with a cowboy hat, cementing her title with a playful yet polished look.
Suede swagger
Anderson .Paak fully embraced the theme in a suede suit, snakeskin boots, and a bolo tie. It was quirky and quintessentially him—proof that no one commits to a theme quite like Anderson.
Tiny but thematic
I didn’t instantly get the theme from Rachel Sennott’s Versace Fall 2024 look until I got the cowboy boots from Paris Texas’, mostly because I was distracted by how micro her look is.
Low-key lasso
Kiernan Shipka, who loves a holiday theme, played it safe in a black lace bustier, jeans, and a lion-head belt. It nodded to the theme without taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Western details
John David Washington’s AMIRI outfit impressed with subtle details like a contrasting Mandarin collar and a gold brooch, proving minimalism can still fit the theme…kinda.
Winter rodeo
Malcolm Washington brought a practical yet stylish touch with a Louis Vuitton bouclé wool peacoat, reminding us all that winter fashion doesn’t have to sacrifice flair.
Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for GQ / John Salangsang/Shutterstock / JC Olivera/Getty Images / Vogue.com
FTC Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact my reviews.
