The style magazine GQ Gentlemen’s Quarterly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the GQ Men of the Year Awards this evening at the Komische Oper in Berlin. Ten categories were presented at the glamourous gala, awarding both national and international stars from show business, the music and fashion industries, as well as from sport and culture.

The approximately 850 invited guests were entertained by presenter Barbara Schöneberger. Her trademark humor and wit entertained the audience throughout the award show, which was filled with high emotion. The musical entertainment was kickstarted by actress Severija Janušauskaitė, who sang her mystical hit “Zu Asche, zu Staub», acclaimed theme song of the series «Babylon Berlin”.

Football world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger, accompanied by his wife Ana Schweinsteiger-Ivanović, was there to receive the «Sports Icon» award for his outstanding sporting achievements. The actors of «Das Boot» were honored in the category «National TV». Franz Dinda, Stefan Konarske, August Wittgenstein and Tom Wlaschiha came to accept their award.

GQ also brought a glittering shower of Hollywood glamour to Berlin: Patrick Dempsey received the award for the category «International TV», Orlando Bloom («Style») was honored as an actor and style icon, US music star Jason Derulo snapped up the GQ Award for «International Music», and actor Henry Cavill will now be able to refer to himself not only as Superman, but also as GQ Man of the Year («International Movies»).

The live premiere for Herbert Grönemeyer’s new album / Fashion Awards for Donatella Versace and Dries van Noten After a moving premier live rendition of his new song «Bist Du Da», Herbert Grönemeyer was awarded the title «Legend» by GQ editor-in-chief Tom Junkersdorf, with the audience honoring him for his exceptional career and social commitment.

The fashion category also featured prominent awardees. The style magazine GQ named Dries van Noten «Designer of the Year». The appearance of exceptional designer Donatella Versace was another highlight of the star-studded evening. Russian supermodel Irina Shayk paid tribute to her in a laudatory speech, honoring her as a «Fashion Icon» for her many accomplishments in the international world of fashion over the years.

Another reason for Donatella Versace’s special role during this event is the Versace creative team’s design of GQ’s 20th anniversary-trophy, showing off the characteristic GQ letters in a distinctive Versace design. The winners of the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018: Category/Award-winners Presenter Song of the Year Severija Janušauskaitė The live act «Zu Asche, zu Staub» No laudatory speech Designer of the Year Dries van Noten
Dirk Schönberger, Designer Sports Icon Bastian Schweinsteiger Marcel Reif, Sports Journalist/Commentator International Movie Henry Cavill
Franziska Knuppe, Model International Music Jason Derulo Mousse T., Music Producer National TV «Das Boot»: Franz Dinda, Stefan Konarske, August Wittgenstein, Tom Wlaschiha André Pollmann, GQ Publisher International TV Patrick Dempsey Palina Rojinski Style Orlando Bloom Ana Schweinsteiger-Ivanović, Tennis Star Fashion Icon Donatella Versace Irina Shayk, Model Legend Herbert Grönemeyer Live-Act «Bist Du Da» Tom Junkersdorf, GQ Editor-in-Chief The GQ Men of the Year Awards were hosted by Moritz von Laffert, President of Condé Nast Germany, the Editor-in-Chief Tom Junkersdorf and GQ Publisher André Pollmann.

Wolfgang Blau, President of Condé Nast International, visited from London to attend the GQ award show, which is hosted in twelve different countries worldwide. After the award gala, award-winners and presenters, together with numerous celebrity guests from show business, the media, and the business world, partied at the exclusive after-show party at the Komische Oper in Berlin until well after midnight.

Highlights, interviews with the awardees and presenters, as well as extensive background info and videos, can be found on http://www.menoftheyear.de, or on GQ’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram / #gqawards).

This year’s award-winners are also featured in the new December issue of GQ, showcasing portraits and exclusive interviews. To celebrate the GQ Awards, the current GQ issue will appear with five different cover motifs, representing selected awardees, by name Herbert Grönemeyer, Patrick Dempsey, Donatella Versace, Jason Derulo and Orlando Bloom.