In Memoriam: Glenn O'Brien
When I was 17, I began checking out back editions of GQ from my local library after pillaging my cousin’s stash during a yearly visit to my aunt’s house. Now a shell of its former self, the GQ of ten years ago was witty, sizable and featured writing that informed and entertained. Even amid the trend features and spreads of beautiful models, no column stuck with me quite like “The Style Guy,” written by Glenn O’Brien, who passed away last Friday at the age of 70.
Back then, I hadn’t known about the Downtown New York world O’Brien not only inhabited, but created. I merely thought of him as an honest, humorous voice that helped men become the best-dressed versions of themselves through his column. Further research led me to discover that O’Brien was the ultimate renaissance man: He wrote articles, books, plays and films, knew how to create catchy advertising better than the Mad Men ad-men, worked as the Creative Director for Barney’s and Island Records, did stand-up comedy and was a TV show host, first for his legendary public access show TV Party from 1978-1982, and more recently on his show on M2M, Tea at the Beatrice with Glenn O’Brien. Up until the end, he was culturally omniscient and pursued his passions with unrepentant ardor. He didn’t pander to trends in music, art or fashion because they were “cool" for a minute, yet he had his finger on the pulse of whatever the next big thing was.
What stood out about O’Brien was his interest in and willingness to explore all aspects of culture. Unlike many writers, he wasn’t an outsider peering in at culture, but an insider sharing his enthusiasms with the rest of the world. He claimed he went out every night in the 1970s and early ‘80s, which helped develop his extensive, diverse social circle of artists, musicians and intellectuals that he collaborated with. Glenn was one of the preeminent art collectors in New York, but his collection wasn’t relegated to blue-chip acquisitions. In fact, most of what he owned were works gifted to him by dear friends, like Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Nares, Sarah Charlesworth, Richard Prince and Christopher Wool. He collected oddities, too, and he showed off his favorite Mati Klarwein painting or Larry Clark skateboard deck with pride. O’Brien was also a voracious reader who once quipped that “having a lot of books is like insurance...you have to live long enough to read all the books.” His love of literature, poetry and philosophy seeped into in his work, and he was as likely to make reference to Baudelaire and Greek mythology as he was to gossip columnists and journalists from news’ golden age.
O'Brien with Andy Warhol, his mentor and boss at Interview.
Moreover, O'Brien knew how to dress. He was the Style Guy (and after his acrimonious departure from GQ, "Ask Maximus" in Maxim) for a good reason. O'Brien wore suits with ease, and looked good in both bespoke and off-the-rack tailoring, not exalting one or discriminating against the other. Unlike many men who dress formally, O'Brien was willing to play with color, pattern and fabric, and his wardrobe has served as inspiration for fashion houses and artisans alike. English maker Drake's carried a reversible Tartan overcoat last winter which takes it cues from O'Brien's tartan raincoat made by London tailor John Pearse (the item he was photographed wearing most), and Ermenegildo Zegna's subtle denim suit pays homage to the tasteful Canadian tuxedo O'Brien donned, often with a bowtie (done by Pearse as well). No one owned a better collection of Belgian shoes than O'Brien, and he made the case for wearing them with a suit. O'Brien did casual with equal aplomb, favoring Breton-striped sailor shirts and selvedge denim thrown in the wash. When Glenn got dressed, he approached each outfit as a new work of art.
At risk of sounding like a fanboy, I’ve read O’Brien’s 2011 book How To Be a Man at least three times, and I’m revisiting it for a fourth to soak up his wisdom with a more mature set of eyes. Like many New Yorkers, O’Brien was Midwest bred - out of Cleveland, Ohio. He made the city his own and taught the lessons he learned along the way to those following his lead. His self-made creative success has inspired many people - myself included - who all hope our creative output will be half as fruitful as his.
In his final Instagram post on February 22, O’Brien paid tribute to Andy Warhol on the 30th anniversary of his death. O’Brien wrote, “Andy Warhol died 30 years ago today. I remember thinking “[whose] opinion will I care about now?” and I still don’t know.” Now that O’Brien is gone, the same question must be asked again. And no matter how many people follow in O’Brien footsteps, who care about the advancement of culture and are excited enough about it to share with people through print, photography or video, there won’t be anyone else quite like him. He was one of a kind.
Rest in peace, Glenn. Thank you for all that you did, and for the world you created.