GQ Crowns 'Men of the Year'!

John Varvatos, the Detroit-born-and-bred men’s wear designer known for both his clothes and creams, has just been named GQ’s “Designer of the Year.” Mr. Varvatos will join 19 other gents, politicos, dandies and jocks in the book’s December issue, marking its 12th annual “Men of the Year” rundown.

Not to keep tooting our own horn, but Observer contributor Simon Doonan not only makes eco-friendly window displays, he also writes the piece accompanying the six-page magazine spread, featuring Casey Affleck sporting Mr. Varvatos’ contemporary threads. Here’s a little taste, too delicious to ignore:

“Once John’s followers are well and truly addicted to his rich, textured duds and his slip-ons, he goes in for the kill. He plays into the greatest of all dude obsessions, rock ’n’ roll. This is the last straw. Once Varvatos injects his image with a lethal dose of Aerosmith, a whiff of Alice Cooper, a soupçon of Iggy Pop, and a whisper of Joe Strummer, men are powerless to resist.”

Herewith, 2007’s other musky champs, as chosen by GQ:

• Casey Affleck – Breakout of the Year
• Javier Bardem – Villain
• Mayor Mike Bloomberg – Maverick
• Josh Brolin – Tough Guy
• Cast of ‘Mad Men’ – Instant Classic
• David Chase, ‘The Sopranos’ – Final Act
• Simon Cowell – Mastermind
• John Cusack – Comeback
• Roger Federer – Court King
• Tom Hanks – Icon
• Emile Hirsch – Wild Man
• Hayden Panettiere – Obsession of the Year
• Alex Rodriguez – Hit Man
• Seth Rogen – Father of the Year
• Mark Ruffalo – Secret Weapon
• Julian Schnabel – Visionary
• Jason Schwartzman – Cool Kid
• Channing Tatum – Man of Next Year
• Shaun White – Reinvention

Prior to launching his self-titled label in 2000, Mr. Varvatos cut his taste-making teeth at Ralph Lauren in 1983, moved on to Calvin Klein in 1990, where he became head of men’s wear design, before going back again to his pals at Polo five years later.