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Ohhh Life must be sooooooooooooo difficult being David Gandy

Ohhh Life must be sooooooooooooo hard being David Gandy

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

We’ve all been there, had a great time on holiday, gutted to be back to cold weather, stood at the baggage re-claim carousel and that cold, stark feeling dawns upon you of, where’s my luggage ? A couple of years ago, my luggage went missing so regularly, it became a running joke with friends and work colleagues, “Ohhh wonder where it’ll end up this time ? Haha”. This was normally greeted with a withering, “ha, yeah” or similar words to that effect, kinda, use your imagination.

So as holiday season rapidly approaches we thought we’d give you some inspiration for weekend bags, ideally luggage you can keep as hand luggage to prevent that nightmare scenario, of having to describe your missing bag to a person who really doesn’t care and looks at you unsympathetically, when you inform them, “It’s a black bag”.

You’ll never suffer the misfortune of picking up the wrong luggage again if you invest in this great piece from PRADA.

Whether it be a highland jaunt or more exotic climbs, this bag with see you fine season after season in this timeless collaboration by Harris Tweed & Marks & Spencer

Buisness or or pleasure this is a great all rounder of a weekend bag by Tumi

Now this is a design classic, the Clipper from Mulberry will never go out of fashion and for experience, these just get better with age.
La Portegna might not be a brand that automatically leaping into your mind when you think of luggage but they are definitely worth hunting out this brand from Madrid.

Lastly, but by no means least is the King of Designer luggage, the brand who invented the rule book of luggage and ripped it up, Louis Vuitton Neo Eole, New light weight Damier Graphite Rolling duffle luggage continues Louis Vuitton heritage of innovating travel. Is it for everyday, of course not, it’s an investment piece which you will cherish for the rest of your life and like an old friend will remind you of past trips and adventures.

With the FIFA 2014 World Cup little more then a month after, it’s fair to say anticipation is starting to reach fever pitch. The national treasure that is Marks & Spencer have been entrusted again to supply the official suit for the England Football Team to be worn in Brasil this Summer. Created in house by the M&S design team, Marks & Spencer has worked with The FA to develop this exclusive suit. Sourcing the finest British fabrics as well as tailor-making each suit to perfectly fit every player, the suit is designed to be lightweight and comfortable to wear in the hot temperatures in Brazil.

The grey Autograph suit is cut from light and breathable English wool and mohair fabric and features special details; an embroidered World Cup Winners star on the inside envelope pocket, the England crest on the Autograph label and a patriotic red, white and blue sleeve and pocket lining.

Celebrating six years as Official Tailor to the England Team, M&S has been supplying their formalwear wardrobe since 2007. Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington says, “With qualification secured to the World Cup, one of the most exciting parts of planning for the tournament is always the team suit and this has been no exception. We are delighted with what has been created for the team and staff to wear.”

The Winter of 2013/14 will be pretty much remembered for its weather, not only did we see the town of Hell Freeze over in Michigan, USA , but it will also go down in history as the wettest season we’ve ever seen, since records began. At some point over the last few weeks/months, you must have got soaked to the skin and so it got us to thinking about ways we can help you beloved reader keeping that dapper exterior and keep the drowned rat look totally at bay. So here are a couple of the better water resistant apparel money can buy.

SWIMS, the Norwegian waterproof specialists, have introduced the Luca Sneaker, a comfortable shoe, featuring a myriad of fabric technology to tackle any weather condition including waterfriendly materials and breathable nylon all with an unmistakeable SWIMS edge.

This brilliant British Woodland Camouflage City Gent Umbrella with Malacca Wood handle and Beech Wood shaft by London Undercover, not only will keep you dry in the event of a downpour but will ensure your stylish stakes are maintained in the urban jungle.

The story of K-Way began in Paris, 1965. Leon-Claude Duhamel observed, one rainy day, attentively as people rush about in soaking wet clothing. It was this this very day that K-Way was born: a lightweight, completely waterproof jacket that can be folded away into a small hip bag.

This great compact Gents Umbrella from Marks & Spencer is ideal for throwing into your bag and forgetting about it right until you really it. Plus at the price it is, if like me, during the recent London Collections:Men where I managed to lose three, yes three, umbrellas over three days, it isn’t the end of the world.

There is nothing worse then having important stuff in your bag, you know vital documents, your mobile ohhh and maybe your lunch and you get caught out in a deluge ! No one like wet documents but even more nobody likes soggy sandwiches. Well Watershed have the answer for you, used by the likes of the US Military, their bags are completely watertight, so ensuring soggy sandwiches are a thing of the past. Ohhh and your documents stay safe and dry.

We couldn’t cover wet weather gear, without mentioning the next brand as Mackintosh and their ever essential raincoats are to rainy day what fish is to chips. The traditional Mackintosh or Mac as it’s commonly worked its way into our language as, celebrates it’s 190th anniversary this year. Wonder how many people can thank Mackintosh for keeping them dry over the years ?

As I sit here watching the rain lash against the window and see people’s umbrellas blowing inside out, a shudder runs down my spine with the thought of the dirty miserable and generally crap old weather we’ve had, for what seems to have been an eternity. As a result of this and as somewhat of an escape from, I thought, right, the shops are full of Spring product and trends. So let’s cheer ourselves up by having a look at what some of our favourite brands on the high Street have on offer for us and what we can wear once the weather, finally, takes a turn for the better.

Not particularly known for their use of colour, look who’s got a Spring in their step this season, none other then Marks & Spencer, no less.

A brand who seem to be putting more and more emphasis of their menswear season after season, and it’s really showing, is Next. Showing how to put off the Floral trend for the more reserved male out there.

Spring can be unpredictable, weather wise, at the best of time, but Banana Republic cater for those layering moments which you need to prepare for every eventuality.

Next up a brand and an image who are HOT right now, River Island, if this floral ensemble doesn’t put you in the Spring mood and warm you up then nothing will. I maybe would wear from head to toe Floral but this image just shows what a big trend this flowery delight will be this season.

A man who’s well and truly making his mark at Debenhams is Patrick Grant with his Hammond & Co range for the brand. He’s totally bringing his design flavour to Debenhams and not diluting it at all. Offering excellent quality and cut at great prices, keep it up sir !

Errr a brand that we totally need to keep an eye on is New Look, their suiting range for Spring is sublime, mature, contemporary and sharp. Next time your lady asks you to come shopping with you where to go.

Adding a little seasonal colour to our life’s is TOPMAN, always highly directional ditch those pinstripes and shades of grey and embrace coloured suiting for Spring.

Showing us that the Floral trend needn’t be restricted to casual attire, H&M once again show us how it can be done in a more formal setting.

The Talented Mr Gandy, David Gandy – Textual Conversation

6 of the best weekend bags

Suitably turned out for the World Cup – Marks & Spencer launch the new England Football Team suit

I wish it would Rain – Ideal wet weather attire

Preview of the best of the best from the High Street for Spring 2014

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