David Gandy is quite literally at the top of his game, in an industry renown for its female bias and one of the few businesses where the men’s pay packets are small fry in comparison with their female counterparts, Gandy has ripped up the rule book and rewrote it according to his guideline. In fact, in the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics Games, during London’s, “How great are we” Finale and in paying homage to all things Great with Britain. David was the sole male representative of the Brit Supermodel fraternity (See image below).

In 2006 he became the muse of the International Fashion House of Dolce & Gabbana annually starring in their apparel campaigns but best known as the face of their “Light Blue” fragrance, currently one of the world’s top selling male fragrances. The iconic campaign saw David’s face and of course, his body become recognisable, literally, overnight, with a 50ft billboard in New York’s, Times Square, over 11 million internet hits to view his campaign and global recognition.

He has appeared in numerous campaigns and catwalk shows, opening for D&G in Milan in 2010, with Naomi Campbell for Fashion For Relief and has worked alongside supermodels including Giselle, Eva Herzigova and actress, Scarlett Johansson.

David has shot with some of the most sought after international photographers including Mario Testino and Steven Meisel and boasts an envious portfolio of editorial work, including countless covers for international publications (see below).

In 2010 he made male modeling history, twice. He become the first and only male model nominated for the BFC’s Model Of The Year award and the first male in his profession to appear on BBC1’s Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. David continued to promote the profile of male modeling and men’s fashion, speaking at the Oxford University Union.

His latest venture sees him, well in very little to be honest, working in exclusive collaboration with International Retailer Marks & Spencer to launch, David Gandy for Autograph, an underwear and sleepwear collection for men. In what will be  the first time M&S has globally launched a new range this way. In total this year, the range will be available in over 350 stores worldwide and online.  The range launches today and is marked by a week long string of events kicking off at their Marble Arch Flagship store in London then sees David travelling to M&S flagship stores in Ireland on the 19th September, Hong Kong on the 23rd September and France on the 25th September to personally unveil the collection. In and amongst all this Gandy-mania, Clothes Make the Man managed to catch up with Mr Gandy for a quick chin wag and to chew the cud over a cuppa.

If you had one day to live what would be your biggest regret?

I don’t really have any regrets but if I had to pick something then maybe it would be to live in the moment more.

My schedule is constantly busy, which is great, but it’s important to get the balance right.

 

What’s your favourite piece of clothing?

I have lots of favourite pieces of clothing but I’m particularly fond of my Chopard Mille Miglia watch which is beautiful but also holds a lot of memories for me.

 

Who is your style icon?

My style icons are mostly icons from the past. I’m drawn to men who have ‘old school’ gentlemanly qualities from their style to their presence so I’d probably choose Cary Grant.

 

What piece of style advice do you live by?

Maintain your individuality.

 

What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe?

Start at the bottom and work your way up – we all need a good pair of underpants which hopefully I’ve designed with the launch of my new David Gandy for Autograph range with Marks & Spencer. I think it’s important to have a good, tailored suit in your wardrobe – it doesn’t need to be expensive, you can buy off the shelf but if you then get it tailored by someone locally, it will fit so much better. A good pair of shoes are important – and often overlooked and some good jeans and T shirts.

 

If you could only wear one brand for the rest if your life what would it be & why?

I like variation so I don’t think I could choose.

 

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing and regretted it? If so what & why?

Not really. If I don’t like something immediately then it tends to work down the line somewhere.

 

Who would do you ideal diner guests and why?

Winston Churchill, Paul Newman, Michael Caine, Sean Connery – a mixture of good conversation, good fun and the ability to share that with people I think would like a drink as much as me! 

 

If you could have invented anything what would it be?

The combustion engine

 

How do spent your free time?

I don’t have a lot of free time but when I do have it, I tend to indulge in the things I love the most – my family, friends, cars, food and being home.

 

Favourite hotel in the world?

Dunston Hot Springs in The Rockies is up there for me.

 

Tell us something no one else knows ?

I found out today that there are 4 prison cells (allegedly) at the top of Big Ben…

 

 

 The Many Faces & Covers of David Gandy