David Gandy discusses modeling, influencers, and obesity in the UK: ‘I did not naturally have this physique.’

I’m picturing David Gandy, arguably the world’s first and only male supermodel, with plaits and bows in his hair. Sitting across from him as he casually sips an English breakfast tea, I thought I’d be picturing him in his famous tiny white trunks – the ones he wore in the Dolce and Gabbana campaign that turned him from a model into a household name back in 2006. But no – it’s ribbons in pretty, pastel shades that will stay with me as the takeaway image.

This is because he informed me that his daughter, Matilda, who just turned five years old, is currently interested in hairstyles. As a responsible father, he patiently sits on the bed while she works on his hair. He humorously mentions, “She always asks, ‘Daddy, can I do your hair?’ And I definitely need all the assistance I can get in the mornings.”

Gandy’s evolution from a tanned, attractive symbol of sexiness in the Mediterranean to a paternal figure is not surprising, considering his current position as a respected veteran in the fashion world. Despite being 43 years old and having 22 years of experience in the industry, he still manages to catch attention. Even when dressed casually in jeans, a black t-shirt, and a camel jacket, his 6ft 2in stature and recognizable face cannot go unnoticed. It’s almost like talking to a living advertisement, although one who can eloquently discuss topics such as revolutionizing the fashion industry and the pressure of body image.

After seventeen years from the Dolce campaign, Gandy continues to combat the stereotype of models being unintelligent. He now serves as the creative director of his own clothing brand, Wellwear. This is why he is currently meeting with me at a Mayfair members’ club, to discuss the brand’s new lounge and sleepwear collection in collaboration with the quintessentially British label, Hackett. However, despite his success, many still associate him with his iconic white trunks, which he still keeps at home. Does he feel that he has been labeled as a “Himbo” or a “Just Ken” after the Barbie movie, someone who is only good for the beach and lacks intelligence?

“I have definitely encountered that,” he affirms. “I have had to combat the stereotype of being a model. Many people’s only exposure to that industry was through Zoolander. They would say, ‘We have a meeting with David Gandy,’ and someone else would respond, ‘The guy in the white swim shorts? Why is he being involved in creative aspects and coming up with ideas?’

“You must push past those limitations. You must demonstrate everything through hands-on experience and tangible outcomes.”

The issue is that the Gandy brand carries such influence that his appearance continues to be a selling point. “I’m attempting to stay behind the camera rather than in front of it. However, others keep pushing me back in front,” he explains nonchalantly. “I don’t engage in the traditional idea of modelling as much anymore.”

His daily routine involves a dynamic combination of working on set in dual roles as creative director and model, recording voiceovers, managing the sales and marketing for his clothing brand, and even volunteering for his daughter’s school outing to Battersea the day after our meeting. He expresses frustration with society’s tendency to label individuals, stating that he doesn’t limit himself to any specific category and can be a model one day and a businessman the next.

He occasionally reflects fondly on the times when he only had to show up and appear attractive. “I sometimes think, ‘Wow, that was so effortless.’ Someone chooses your outfit, styles your hair and puts on your makeup, tells you what to do – and then you can just leave without any worries.”

Wellwear, according to Gandy, is described as “intense” and he personally enjoys it. This new collaboration with Hackett marks the first time he has fully partnered with another clothing brand. Gandy carefully considered which brand would be the best fit. He believes that the term “collaboration” is overused nowadays. Many brands will simply send him clothing and ask him to post pictures on social media, but he does not see this as a true collaboration. In contrast, Gandy has a longstanding relationship with Hackett as he did one of his first look-books for them 22 years ago. He values the longevity and quality that Hackett offers.

You get a sense that here is a man who could be summed up by the term “hands-on”: he apologises for the paint under his fingernails, courtesy of his latest home renovation project in Richmond Park; he tells me about the time he hosted his parents’ anniversary party and ordered 400 plants for the garden, which he was “up until 2am watering like a mad person” himself as there was no one else to do it.

As mentioned before, he plays an active role as a father to both Matilda and two-year-old Tabitha. He shares responsibilities with his partner Stephanie, who is a barrister, including school runs and activities like swimming and horse-riding. Has having two daughters influenced his perspective on the fashion industry? Does he try to protect them from the pressure of seeing “perfect” women constantly promoted on various platforms?

The message I would like to impart to my daughters is this: if someone mistreats you, pressures you, or makes fun of your appearance, it is a reflection of their own insecurities, not yours. As long as you are confident in yourself, you will overcome it. Do not let these individuals affect you; stay strong and true to yourself.

He strongly denies the allegations that he promotes an unrealistic body standard, stating that he was not naturally born with his current physique. He attributes his muscular and fit body to his dedication and hard work at the gym, often sacrificing meals and rest to train. He believes that with determination, anyone can achieve a similar level of fitness and muscle mass, regardless of their initial body frame.

The person I am looking at right now, David Gandy, is a symbol of the modern British gentleman who is both rugged and suave. However, he did not become this way naturally, but rather through deliberate efforts over time to establish himself as a successful brand. Gandy grew up in Billericay, Essex with parents who were entrepreneurs and always working hard to build their businesses. Despite their busy schedules, they still made sure to have dinner together, as Gandy recalls. His journey to becoming a world-renowned model was not a straightforward one. He only entered the profession at a later age and it was not even his own idea. Gandy was studying marketing at the University of Gloucestershire when his flatmate secretly entered him into a modelling competition on ITV’s This Morning. He ended up winning a contract with Select Model Management at the age of 21 and has never looked back.

Although his career may have had a chaotic beginning, his decisions and actions over the next twenty years were carefully planned and intentional. Becoming the first male supermodel in the world is no coincidence. Gandy is the epitome of a self-made brand and also considers himself a self-made man. He did not always have the muscular physique and handsome features that made him a Dolce & Gabbana model.

Many people assume that I have always been the way I am now since I was about 10 years old. However, I experienced different body types and sizes. I had what is now referred to as “puppy fat”, but back then we talked about the importance of exercise and healthy eating. It was just a normal part of growing up and filling out. During the teenage years, it’s common to have some extra weight and then suddenly experience a growth spurt. This is what happened to me at 17 when I shot up to over 6ft. At that point, I was on the thinner side, which is why I started working out to build muscle and feel better about myself.

“I am aware of the challenges and teasing that come with having a different body size.”

Maybe as a result of this, he doesn’t quite concur with my contemplation about the increase of extremely muscular physiques among “average” individuals, rather than those we typically associate with having them – such as models, actors, and athletes – on platforms like social media and reality TV shows like Love Island, placing excessive stress on the modern man.

“We are the country with the highest rate of obesity in Europe, so perhaps not. The common belief is that there is significant pressure placed on men. However, when we look at the statistics, there is actually a concerning increase in childhood obesity. Therefore, one may argue that there is indeed pressure present.”

“I believe that it is important for individuals to prioritize their health. Is there harm in promoting physical activity and commitment to a gym routine? We do not judge athletes for doing so. However, moderation is key, as there are individuals who may become fixated on it.”

He is open to his daughters pursuing careers in modeling, but acknowledges that the industry has changed significantly since he first started. Brands now approach campaigns and marketing differently due to the influence of social media. The traditional path of being discovered and quickly becoming a successful model has been replaced by the importance of social media presence, engagement, and branding.

However, in some aspects, it has always revolved around one thing: a name. To reach the status of a top supermodel in the 80s and 90s, all it took was one recognizable name without the need for a surname. Gandy observed and emulated the actions of the leading women in the industry, taking after their example. “I studied, conversed with, and collaborated with these supermodels… Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, their full names are not even necessary – simply Naomi, Kate, Cindy, Christy – and you know exactly who I am referring to. It’s a brand. And it was created as a business. That’s exactly what I did; I followed their platform.”

Due to his reputation as a “disrupter” – challenging the pay gap for men in the industry, questioning why they couldn’t also achieve supermodel status, and breaking through the modeling “glass ceiling” – Gandy refuses to comment on the rising trend of influencer-models, despite them being his main competitors now.

“I will not pass judgement on the actions of influencers because I admire those who challenge the norm,” he states. “Many individuals hopped on that trend, but there are also many who have shown great intelligence and sharpness.”

This latest bundle consists of individuals who have put in hard work to establish a presence online – similar to how model scouts would have discovered talent 20 years ago – and those who were born into fame rather than earning it through effort, such as the Kardashians and Hadids. While Gandy refrains from passing judgement, it is evident that he has a nostalgic fondness for the past.

He explains that there is now a phenomenon of “disposable creativity”. We quickly scroll through 50 different creative posts on social media, whereas in the past we would have patiently waited for a magazine or billboard to showcase the same content.

Regarding social media, Gandy believes it is a significant concern for today’s youth, though he may not fully believe it is causing excessive pressure to attain a flawless appearance. It will likely be a while before his daughters begin sharing content on Instagram and TikTok.

“I will make an effort to prevent them from accessing it for as long as I can,” he states confidently. At what age will they be permitted to use it? “Twenty-eight is an acceptable age!”

Gandy considers the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance to be a major issue, even more so than concerns about body image. He believes that people will go to extreme lengths to avoid looking old. While he personally has not succumbed to Botox, he acknowledges that it may be a possibility in the future. In his opinion, men should prioritize skincare in the same manner as women in order to combat the aging process.

Gandy considers the idea of creating his own line of grooming products for men. On the other hand, he also envisions opening a florist shop with a cozy coffee shop inside, or perhaps even a boutique hotel. He admits to having many “silly” ideas in his mind.

However, soon the discussion shifts back to his primary responsibility. “I am now a father. My previous lifestyle, which I truly loved, could be considered selfish – it revolved around achieving my personal goals. But now, my priority is my daughters. At this stage in my life, I aim to use my experiences to guide and travel with my daughters, seeing the world through their perspective.”

After that, he is going to juggle his responsibilities once again: attending more meetings for Wellwear, working on a new secret project that he cannot reveal yet, and planning a grand birthday party for Matilda at their house. In comparison, it’s understandable that the days of just showing up and wearing white trunks seem easy in comparison – almost like a leisurely walk in the park or a swim in the Mediterranean.

David is sporting the Hackett London x David Gandy Wellwear line, which starts at £50. The collection can be purchased online at hackettlondon.com and davidgandywellwear.com, or in select Hackett London stores throughout the UK and Europe.

Source: independent.co.uk