GQ Heroes is a festival of ideas attended by a diverse group of creatives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. In a world facing turbulent times—with a shift towards extremist politics in Europe, ongoing wars, and a rise in hate—focusing on creativity, action, and hope has never been more crucial.

Anya Taylor Joy on Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga

The morning sessions opened with a live presentation of one of GQ’s loved online series, “Action Replay.” Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Menu, Dune: Part Two), bright-eyed and fresh-faced, walked us through a scene from her new film, Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga. Hosted by GQ associate editor Olivia Ovenden, who looked stunning in a fit-and-flare metallic puff-sleeve dress, Anya joined her in a dramatic sculptural black blazer and knee-high black boots. They discussed Anya’s fight for feminine rage, emphasising her deep care for her characters, many of whom are mistreated and react with a single tear. For her latest role, Anya insisted her character should express anger with a glass-shattering scream, a decision initially resisted by director George Miller (Mad Max Saga, Happy Feet). Anya expressed gratitude for working with Miller, stating, “…there is no universe in which I would be okay with passing on this opportunity.”

Innovation with Dr Stella Clark & Suhair Khan

Next was “Is Design the New Code?” featuring Dr. Stella Clark (Engineer at BMW Group) and Suhair Khan (Culture and tech entrepreneur). The talk centred on the idea that innovation should spark delight, noting that “innovation” is a term often overused and difficult to truly achieve.

Mike Christensen & Jenson Button on F1

The highlight for me was “How F1 Became TV’s Hottest Sport,” with 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button (currently FIA World Endurance driver and F1 Sky Sports commentator). Hosted by Mike Christensen, Lifestyle Director for GQ. They discussed the sport’s rise to fame and the importance of drivers developing their personal brands. With the British Grand Prix approaching, the timing was perfect. Button also announced his return to his original F1 car on Sky Sports F1 as part of the race buildup.

Emma Corrin on Deadpool & Wolverine

After a stroll through the picturesque Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire for a coffee break, Emma Corrin (The Crown, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, A Murder at the End of the World) spoke about “The Making of a Very Modern Star” with Olivia Ovenden. Despite the windy tent, Emma captivated the audience with their quiet yet compelling presence. They discussed the drive to avoid typecasting post their role as Princess Diana in The Crown. Emma also discussed  their new role as a villain in Deadpool & Wolverine, describing it as a “baptism of fire into the world of comedy.” Corrin cited Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds (2009) as an inspiration, sharing, “that was the first thing that really hooked me into that role of toying with people’s expectations of what a villain should be like… That’s even more insidious.”

Angelo Mitakos on skincare with Sunday Riley

The next session featured GQ’s Angelo Mitakos in conversation with skincare icon Sunday Riley. It was an honour to hear about Sunday’s mission to create a cruelty-free, B Corp Certified brand, which is currently the top female-founded skincare brand in the US. Outside, a sunset-pink Sunday Riley branded van served coffees and drinks inspired by the brand’s best-selling lines, from “C.E.O Glow” to “Good Genes” in addition to a wide selection of skincare samples.

Networking & Cocktails at GQ Heroes 2024

For a change of pace, the GQ Heroes Cocktail Masterclass with Casamigos taught us how to make amazing cocktails, and Sophie, a fellow BA student, even won a bottle of Casamigos tequila! Lunchtime provided a perfect opportunity to network and explore the community that had come together at GQ Heroes.

“Sex, Love and Other Modern Problems,” featuring Dolly Alderton (author of “Everything I Know About Love”), comedian and writer Jack Rook, and Paul Carrick Brunson (professional matchmaker and certified life coach), was a funny, entertaining, and heartfelt discussion on how modern life has impacted dating, especially in cities. Dolly Alderton drew on her experiences interviewing broken-hearted men for her new book, “Good Material”.

Entrepreneurship and well-being in the workplace

Next was, “The Radical New Rules of Entrepreneurship” with Simon Beckman (Founder of Depop and Delli) and Olivia Ferdi (Co-founder of Trip drinks), hosted by GQ Features Editor Oliver Franklin-Wallace. Ferdi shared her journey of co-founding Trip with her husband after leaving their careers in law and finance, while Beckman spoke candidly about burnout and the importance of well-being in a busy work life. A key takeaway was to ask questions rather than give opinions, especially when solving problems.

Dr. Jalani on Gaza

An unforgettable moment came during Dr. Seema Jalani’s talk about her experience as a paediatric doctor in Gaza. Despite immense challenges, Dr. Jalani expressed deep gratitude for the local doctors in Gaza and shared her juxtaposed experiences between Al-Aqsa Hospital and speaking in Washington for the International Rescue Committee. Her humility and the dire situation she described in Gaza left a profound impact.

Women in Sport

After an emotional break, the penultimate talk, “Levelling the Playing Field,” featured Angela Ruggiero, Eniola Aluko, and Steph Houghton, hosted by Alex Scott (broadcaster and footballer). The discussion highlighted the challenges and triumphs of women in traditionally male-dominated sports and the need for better support from sportswear brands.

A Legacy for Brianna

The final, deeply moving talk, “A Legacy for Brianna,” delved into the tragic story of Brianna Ghey, featuring her mother, Esther Ghey and hosted by Miranda Sawyer. Esther’s strength and determination were inspiring, as she discussed creating a charity in her daughter’s honour and the importance of mental health and well-being support for pupils. Most poignantly, Esther spoke about forgiving her daughter’s murderers and their parents, showing extraordinary resilience.

GQ Heroes was an incredible experience, full of hope, spirit, and important stories that need to be told and retold. Thank you very much to the GQ team for inviting us to attend this fantastic day.

By Charlotte Coates, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice student