Michael Schmelling
Michael Schmelling is a writer for GQ.
The Outlaw Tales of Peso Pluma
He grew up listening to Ice Cube and Travis Scott, unless he was singing along to the corridos that immortalized larger-than-life Mexican legends. Now, the mullet-rocking superstar is becoming as famous as his rap idols—and as compelling as the legends he used to sing about.
Can This $85,000 Watch Revive America's Great Watchmaking Tradition?
The J.N. Shapiro Resurgence is billed as the first watch made in the USA in over 50 years. GQ goes inside the independent LA maker's bid to write a new chapter in the country's surprisingly storied horological history.
Inside Blue Ribbon Studio, Nike’s Madcap Design Workshop
It’s like the Wonka Factory, but for hot sneakers.
The 50 Greatest Sneaker Collaborations in Nike History
LeBron James, Serena Williams, Michael J. Fox, Tinker Hatfield, and more tell the untold stories behind the Swoosh’s most seminal kicks.
LaKeith Stanfield on Atlanta Season 3, Getting Sober, and Mastering Hollywood
The Atlanta star fashioned himself into one of Hollywood’s most exciting young talents by dodging convention at nearly every turn. And then he realized that surpassing expectations is even more fun than subverting them.
The Last Glimpses of California's Vanishing Hippie Utopias
Half a century ago, a legion of idealists dropped out of society and went back to the land. Here's a glimpse of their otherworldly residences—and the tail end of a grand social experiment.
The Untold Stories of Wes Studi
When Wes Studi broke through in Dances With Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans, he was cast as a terrifying villain. But for many in the Native community, he was a hero channeling decades of righteous anger. Tommy Orange tells the story of an overlooked icon who forever changed the way Indigenous people are depicted onscreen.
Jason Isbell’s Redemption Songs
Zach Baron goes to Isbell's Tennessee family home and finds there's no question the compulsively honest songwriter won't answer.
How Entireworld's Scott Sternberg Plans to Get His Clothing Line Through the Coronavirus Crisis
Step one: be transparent. Step two: sell a ton of sweatsuits.
What Can Possibly Be Next for Lil Nas X?
From the highs of “Old Town Road” to the relentless demands of sudden fame, Lil Nas X has had a big 2019. And there's more to come.
A Calabasas Encounter With Steve Lacy
We met up with the space-funk guitarist from Compton at the Calabasas Erehwon—and that's when things got strange.
Mike Tyson Smokes the Toad
What do you do when you hear that Mike Tyson is opening a weed resort in the middle of the California desert? You go investigate.
Important Things Are Happening to Jason Dill
He created a new way for skaters to look, act, and party—until it sent him into a tailspin.
Music
Will Oldham (aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy) Talks Surviving the Hawaiian Missile Crisis and Planning His Mysterious Next Record
We flew down to Louisville for a fashion shoot (!!) and a long talk with the elusive songwriter.
Art
Portrait Mode: Artist Henry Taylor Finally Gets His Due
“I just kept doing what I was doing, but wasn’t ever desperate or thirsty about it.”
Entertainment
Rae Sremmurd Wants You to Appreciate Them for Who They Are
Oh, and the rap duo will take a Nobel Peace Prize while you’re at it, thanks.
Style
Scott Sternberg Wants to Make Clothes for the Entire World
The designer talks about his new line, the state of the industry, and his last days at Band of Outsiders.
Art
Inside Friedrich Kunath’s Amazing World of Sublime Art, Classic Cars and Obscure Scents
Born in East Berlin but at home in East L.A., painter Friedrich Kunath makes airbrushed canvases layered with strange cartoon figures, blazing sunsets, and deep thoughts. If that sounds a bit lightweight, be careful: His work packs an emotional wallop that will knock you on your ass.
Q+A
Tony Hawk and His Son Riley Talk Skateboarding Nepotism and What It’s Like to See Each Other Slam (Exclusive)
Tony Hawk has invented countless tricks, built skate parks around the world, and created a billion-dollar video-game franchise. But his legacy is greater than all that: Meet his son Riley.
Music
How Perfume Genius Lives When He's Not Perfume Genius
Mike Hadreas discusses politics, his separate onstage and offstage personas, and what an artist's priorities should be in the age of Trump.
Chefs
The Chef and the Surreal Fine-Dining Spaceship
Chef Jordan Kahn wants to bring you aboard his new intergalactic restaurant.
Breakouts
How 6LACK Went From Sleeping in a Recording Studio to Touring with The Weeknd
On battle rapping, the violent car accident that changed his life, and living out of a ripped backpack.
Style In The Wild
Daft Punk's Pop-Up Party In L.A. Brings Out The Weeknd, Skrillex, Insanely Stylish Robots
Plus, we spoke with Maxfield's Peter Utz about working with Hedi Slimane, collaborating with the robots, and curating the perfect pop-up.
Everyday Suits on the Streets of Los Angeles With Photographer Michael Schmelling
The suit is the great equalizer in men's style. Nothing is more ubiquitous than a jacket and pants. But how are men really wearing their suits in 2015? We sent three photographers, one each in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, to find out the current state of the suit on the city street. In L.A., here's what Michael Schmelling saw when he hit the town with his camera:
In L.A., whenever you see people in a suit they’re security or they're valet. So I went Downtown, which is the only place there’s tall buildings. I went to Beverly Hills, too. I knew there’d be great suits there, but you’re not sure who’s a tourist. Strangely, I saw a lot of bowties. A lot of mix and matching with a suit jacket and different color pants. A lot of no ties. Coming from New York, it’s hard not to compare. I’ve always looked down on guys' style in LA. My theory with style in L.A. is that people aren’t looking at each other in the streets. People aren’t taking cues from each other. So you just end up outside one day in this weird outfit. But there are some nice suits out there.