BEST-DRESSED READER 2022

Ruvesh Pillay tells us how he won, what the experience was like and how it's changed his life.

-  Jason Alexander Basson

IT TAKES EFFORT, DETERMINATION AND a watertight strategy to become a Best-dressed Reader. Not only do you require oodles of style, but you also need to be a whizz with image and copy and familiar with ideal posting times across social media to help garner the support of friends, strangers and fellow GQ readers. It's a fine balance between looking slick and being entertaining without coming across as desperate or conceited while you try to garner support and stack up votes in favour of your style.

This year, 26-year-old Ruvesh Pillay sailed into first place. He's an ultra-stylish individual, but meeting him at the GQ Best-dressed awards, it became clear to us that he's more than good looks and a sense of style. He's charismatic, kind, sincere and charming all characteristics of a real man. We get why GQ's audience voted him to the top.

Hailing from the south of Joburg, Pillay is a part-time baker, and full-time student at the University of Witwatersrand majoring in Biochemistry and Cancer Cell Biology - which sort of makes us like him more.

GQ: What drew you to GQ's Best-dressed Reader Search?

Ruvesh Pillay: I've always dreamed of winning the GQ Best-dressed Reader award, strutting my stuff on stage, looking my best. I've been following the awards since I was a teen, but somehow, I always thought it was beyond my reach. This year, I felt different. I remember waking up one day and saying to my best friend, "This is the year I win the award!'

GQ: You love fashion.

RP: Yes, I've always had a keen interest in fashion and style.

GQ: It's a confident move to put yourself out there to be judged by the masses.

RP: Definitely. It's very audacious, perhaps a little insane, but I also had my loved ones' constant support and encouragement, which made it easier.