“A controversial cover is essentially a good cover,” Winter said in an email. “You need a cover for people to get up and get their attention and talk. Otherwise what’s the point of a cover? Of course Will knows that better than anyone.”
Mr. Welch’s office on the 25th floor of One World Trade is windowless, fitting for a top Masthead editor at a time when the magazine industry is not so expensive. On his desk is a framed picture of Malcolm X. Visible from Mr. Welch’s workstation is a portrait of Ramdas, spiritual leader and author of “Be Here Now,” near a red sofa.
“I like to keep an eye on him,” he said in an interview in his office on a quiet summer day.
Welch grew up in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. His mother was a clerk of the Supreme Court of Georgia and his father was an attorney. During his teenage years, he was often on the basketball and tennis courts, playing drums in “various rock and roll bands”. After majoring in English at Columbia University, he began his career as a music journalist on the staff of The His Fader, writing profiles for Kanye His West, The White Stripes, Big Boy and Jerry Garcia.
He joined GQ in 2007 as an Associate Editor and in 2015 became Top Editor of the spin-off GQ Style. her website As a “Psychiatrist, Herbalist and Flower Essence Practitioner”. She lives in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn with her two cats.
According to Condé Nast, GQ’s ad revenue skyrocketed shortly after Welch took up his current job. In 2020, Mr. Welch has a bright new title. He’s GQ’s Global He’s Editorial Director. GQ has 19 editions worldwide, 11 of which are owned and operated by Condé Nast (others are licensed).