David Gandy is 35 years old: why we love him

David Gandy is one of the most popular male models in the world, having won millions of women's hearts. His responsible attitude to work captivates many designers, and his professionalism allows him to take the best photos. This is why photographers, the most popular publications and fashion houses love to collaborate with David.

For many years now, the model has been the face of the famous Dolce&Gabbana brand, as well as Karl Logerfeld’s favorite model.

It’s hard to imagine, but the handsome guy’s relationships are not as good as his work, and all because of his modest character. However, most of the fans are only happy about this, because each one hopes that she will be the one who will save David from his bachelor status.

early years

David James Gandy was born on February 19, 1980 in Essex, England. His parents were ordinary workers and did not have large earnings or aristocratic connections. As a child, the young man never even thought about building a modeling career.

According to David himself, he was often laughed at and bullied at school, all because of his ridiculous obesity and problems with diction.

By the way, the model put her body in order, as evidenced by gorgeous photos in magazines, but problems with diction remained.

As a schoolboy, the guy dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but the very high number of points that he had to score upon admission scared him off a little.

Therefore, the young man entered the marketing department, where he met a friend, thanks to whom David’s life radically changed. In 2002, that same friend suggested that he try his hand at a modeling competition.

David thought this idea was funny and ridiculous.

Then his friend sent the photo to the representatives of the competition, and after a while a notification came that Gandhi had won first place. After the victory, the young man signed a contract with Select Model Management. His first work was photography for various clothing catalogs. Not the brightest start to a career.

Interview with David Gandy

I associate your surname with India and the famous philosopher Gandhi. People often ask you if you are his relative?

Yes, it happens sometimes. Just not the British - I have a typically British surname, translated it means “earth”. But when my parents went on vacation to India, they were given the best rooms and luxurious service everywhere in hotels, because just like you, Indians have great respect for that same Gandhi.

Let's move on to the topic that worries us more. You have a very brutal, truly courageous appearance. What do you think about the fashion for models who look like girls: for example, Andrej Pejic paints his lips and nails, tries on dresses.

The fashion industry is always trying to push the boundaries of what is acceptable. In everything related to the cut of clothes, size range, appearance, she strives to provoke and surprise. Let's not forget that trends come and go: now the 70s are relevant again, at some point the fashion for manly guys, which was already in the 80s, has returned. So models like Andrey and the images they convey have nothing to do with masculinity or femininity. This is something that should surprise the audience. And something that gives people a choice.

If tomorrow your agent says: you need to lose twice the weight - it’s fashionable - will you agree?

No, he will never ask me for this, because I will not do it. By the way, I am a large man, and some brands of clothing are simply too small for me. But this suits me - I don’t have to fit into the things of all brands, I don’t have to please everyone in the world.

What do you like most about yourself?

Oh, I'm wildly self-critical. I am my own worst enemy! But if we have to choose, then, perhaps, blue eyes are our family heirloom: I recognize my grandfather, uncle, and nephews in them.

Let's imagine a situation: you are walking down the street, and then bam - a giant billboard on which you are wearing only shorts. How do you react?

No way - this is my job. I am a model and I am a person - two different personalities. Please note: in all advertising images I do not smile, I look serious. And in life he’s very cheerful.

Answer without hesitation: actress or model?

I can like a girl of absolutely any profession!

And it doesn’t even matter if you have common friends and interests?

No. Of course, it’s convenient when you have a similar rhythm of life - most girls may simply not understand all these endless flights and filming. But I fall in love with someone, regardless of their type of activity or type. One of my girls was a brunette 180 cm tall. And right after her I dated a blonde who was only 165 cm tall. So I have no requirements.

With such a handsome man, a girl should be stunning!

Beauty can catch your attention at the first moment of meeting, but then something else comes to the fore. It is important for me that I feel comfortable sitting with a person over a cup of tea and laughing. I generally like earthly girls. I shoot with the most beautiful models on the planet, and most of them are simply unbearable: they are rude, self-centered and think they are better than others. Therefore, at the end of filming, I am glad that we are parting (laughs).

So what should a girl do to please you?

Just come up to me and talk. This may be hard to believe, but I am naturally very shy, and I myself am often afraid to take the first step. But the most important thing that captivates me at once is the girl’s sense of humor and the ability to make me laugh!

And finally, share your plans - what can we expect from you in ten years?

I have no idea. If you had told me ten years ago that I would become the face of Dolce&Gabbana, a judge at the global casting of models for Martini advertising, I would not have believed it. But this happened to me. So who knows what will happen next. However, by that time I would already like to start a family. I like children very much. And dogs! So don't be surprised if you see me on the playground with a bunch of brats and puppies!

Modeling career

Options:

Height - 188 cm;
Chest volume - 87 cm;
Waist size - 84 cm;

Already in 2006, David Gandy was one of the most sought-after male models in the world, and all thanks to the designers of the Dolce & Gabbana brand. It was they who then presented the young man on the world podium.

David became the face of the Light Blue perfume, and a huge poster with his advertising photo was placed in Times Square. As Gandhi himself claims, almost every day his friends and acquaintances sent him a picture of the poster photographed on his phone, but he never saw it in person.

David still works with the D&G brand to this day. During all this time, he managed to shoot with Gemma Ward for an advertisement for this brand, take photos for the brand’s calendar (by the way, pictures from this photo shoot were presented in the book “David Gandy by Dolce & Gabbana”), and also walked down the catwalk many times presenting one collection after another.

In addition to collaborating with D&G, Gandhi simultaneously starred and walked for other equally influential brands. In 2007, the guy became the face of the Aqua perfume from Carolina Herrera, and also managed to appear in an advertisement for one of the collections of the youth brand Zara. In the same year, the model took several photos together with Gisele Bundchen for an advertisement for the Ermenegildo Zegna and Stefanel brands.

According to David himself, it was not easy for male models to succeed in those days, and all because of their androgynous appearance. But it was he who managed to bring a real masculine touch to the modeling business and inspire most designers to create just such stylish and slightly brutal collections.

David Gandy in 2009 received the status of the most successful male model after Matt Gordon and Sean Opry, according to Forbes. He was asked to star with the famous Karl Logerfeld for the issue of "VMan", and could also be seen on the cover page of the magazine "Twist.VMan". At the same time, Gandhi is filming with Coco Rocha for Banana Republic. After which he takes a photo for the Lucky Brand catalog. In 2012, David graced 12 covers of the most fashionable and influential publications.

In 2014, Gandy first tried himself as a designer and developed, together with Marks & Spencer, the David Gandy for Autograph underwear line. One of the latest works is an exhibition by Rich Hardcastle called “Mr. Detective”, of course, David became that “Mr.” He personally speaks very flatteringly about these photographs, calling Rich one of the most talented photographers with an amazing imagination.

Gallery is clickable

Other aspirations[edit | edit code]

Fashion projects[edit | edit code]

2012 Olympics - British Models
In May 2010, David spoke at the University of Oxford Union as part of a panel that included photographer Tony McGee, Victoria & Albert Museum, senior curator Claire Wilcox, fashion consultant Frances Card and Dolly Jones, editor of British Vogue.[ 9] Before him, celebrities such as Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth and Mother Teresa spoke at the Oxford Union. In 2010, David released the David Gandy Men's Style Guide mobile phone app, which includes style and clothing tips for men. This application eventually entered the Top 3 in the sales market.[20]

In September 2011, Gandhi became the spokesperson for Martini's “Luck Is An Attitude”, launching a search for models at the Spanish Steps in Rome, which was opened especially for the event.[21] He was appointed to the British Fashion Council's Committee for the launch of London Collections: Men, as part of London Fashion Week 2012.[22]

During the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics, David was the only man to walk the Union Jack runway, along with models such as Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Jourdan Dunn, Lily Donaldson, Georgia May Jagger, Karen Elson and Stella Tennant. he wore a custom gold suit by British designer Paul Smith.[23] On November 19, 2012, David was again invited to the Oxford Union along with Alex Bilmes, editor of Esquire, to discuss "The importance of men's fashion."[24]

On April 28th, 2013, David took part in the discussion "Too Fat, Too Thin, Will We Ever Be Satisfied?" (“Too Fat, Too Thin, Will We Ever Be Content?”) at the Vogue Festival as part of a panel chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Fiona Golfar, as well as models Daisy Lowe, Patsy Kensit and Vogue contributing editor Christa D'Souza.[25 ]

Journalism and other activities[edit | edit code]

David Gandy and Yasmin Le Bon - 2013 Mille Miglia
Since February 2011, Gandy has been blogging for British Vogue, where he talks about his career, fashion/style, cars, antiques and life in London.[26] He is also the official car columnist for British GQ.[27] In October 2011, London's Evening Standard invited David to be the guest editor of its men's issues issue.[28] His appearance inspired an interview with David in the fitness industry, as well as exercise videos and his own fitness app, which was released in December 2012.[29][30]

After receiving his racing license in 2012, Gandy was invited to compete as one of the drivers at the 2013 Mille Miglia (1000 Miles) in Italy. Each year, the three-day event travels through nearly 200 Italian cities from Brescia to Rome and back, recreating the original races that took place in Italy between 1927 and 1957. He and his co-driver, Yasmin Le Bon, were part of “Team Jaguar”, driving a 1950 Jaguar XK120. At the beginning of the race, another race participant collided into the car of Gandhi and Le Bon, throwing them off the track into a ditch, which caused damage to the wing and side of the rare car. They re-entered the race, eventually finishing 158th out of 415 cars.[31] On September 12, 2013, The Daily Telegraph launched a new men's lifestyle column, Telegraph Men. They announced that David would be writing a column.[32]

Awards[edit | edit code]

Gandhi has been nominated and won several awards in the modeling industry. In 2008, the Spanish magazine Glamor

named him "Most Beautiful International Male Face" at an event in Madrid, Spain.[33]
On June 26, 2009, Forbes
named him the third most successful male model in the world, behind Matt Gordon and Sean O'Pry.[34]
In 2010, Gandhi was the first man ever to be nominated for "Model of the Year" by the British Fashion Council (BFC)[35] and ShortList. In 2011, it was named "Face of Today".[36] David Gandy in Milan Dolce & Gabbana
The Evening Standard

included Gandhi in their list of "London's 1,000 Most Influential People" for 2011[37] and again in 2012.[38]
For the second time, the BFC nominated him for "Model of the Year" in 2012.[39] Glamor
readers voted David one of the "100 Sexiest Men of 2012",[40] and he was also ranked 17th of the magazine's "50 Best Dressed in Britain" in 2012.[41 ] In late 2012, Models.com ranked David number 4 on their "Money Guys" list and number 5 on their "Top Icons" list.[42]

Cosmopolitan

named Gandhi one of "The Sexiest Men of 2013"[43] and Britain included him in its 2013 list of the "100 Most Influential Men in Britain" ").[44]

Charitable activities[edit | edit code]

On February 19, 2010, David participated in the Fashion for Relief fashion show. The event was organized by Naomi Campbell to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti.[45] On 17 April 2011, Gandhi was part of the Oxglam team that ran the London Marathon to raise funds for the Oxfam store. The Oxglam group also included model Agyness Dean and fashion designer Henry Holland.[46] In May 2011, David became a model for a T-shirt designed by fashion designer Katherine Hamnett. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts went to the Environmental Justice Foundation's "Save The Sea" Fund.[47]

On 23 March 2012, David, along with Kate Moss and McCartney model Stella, made a guest appearance in a special episode of the comedy Absolutely Fabulous to benefit Sport Relief 2012.[48] Three days later, in the UK, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home announced Gandhi as its first celebrity ambassador.[49] In January 2013, Gandhi launched the Blue Steel Appeal. His charity was created to raise money for Laughter Release Red Nose Day, a fund that takes its name from the fashion-themed comedy Zoolander. There will be a number of fundraising events.[50] The first auction took place on Ebay in March 2013, which included collectibles and fashion adventures. Victoria Beckham, Molly King, Dolce & Gabbana, Lucky Brand Jeans, One Direction and many others contributed to the donation.[51]

Personal life

Not much is known about the young man’s personal life. At 35, Gandhi really wants to have a strong family and loving children, but due to his modest nature, as the model himself claims, it is difficult for him to even meet girls. Only a few of his relationships are known for sure.

1The first serious romance in his life was a relationship with a model named Chloe. This union did not last long. A couple of years after they met, they broke up.

2The longest and most famous relationship was with the singer Mollie King. The couple got together and broke up, but in the end, this relationship also ended.

3From the beginning of 2013 to October of the same year, David dated Samantha Barks.

4The most mysterious can be called an affair with top model Bianca Balti. In an interview, the couple refused to give any comments on this matter, but fans still consider them one of the most beautiful couples in the modeling business.

Biography

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was a world-famous Indian public figure, politician, and fighter for Indian independence. He developed the tactics of nonviolent struggle - satyagraha. In India he is called the "father of the nation."

Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Porbandar on October 2, 1869. My father was engaged in commerce, was active in politics, and even for some time was the chief minister of the state of Gujarat, the capital of which was Porbandar. The boy's mother is a model of virtue. Thanks to her efforts, the family strictly observed fasts and rituals.

Mahatma Gandhi at work

The whole family regularly attended services in churches and studied religious literature. My parents were vegetarians; they believed that people have no right to kill animals. Mohandas subsequently held the same views.

Interesting Facts

Since February 2011, David has been actively blogging on the portal vogue.co.uk, in which he shares knowledge about fashion, style, London and much more;
In 2012, he performed at the closing of the XXX Summer Olympic Games in the British capital, then he was the only man who, in addition to seven female models, represented his country;
In 2013, the model was chosen as a representative of Jaguar cars;
In the same year, David Gandy received his first acting experience by starring in a short film dedicated to Christmas called “Believe in Magic & Sparkle”;

Fashion preferences

Such a famous figure cannot but arouse interest in his wardrobe. Many men look up to David Gandy, and rightfully so. He is always elegant, stylish and neat. What kind of wardrobe does the gorgeous David Gandy prefer?

Well-fitting suits. They can have either a fitted silhouette or a looser cut. The specific choice depends on the situation.
Double-breasted jackets. Gandhi loves to incorporate forgotten classics into modern fashion trends.
A variety of accessories are the ideal tool to elegantly complement any look. Gandhi especially loves scarves, hats and glasses.

The main principle that David encourages you to follow is not to chase expensive branded items that may not suit you, but rather to give preference to affordable brands, paying attention to the fit.

Photo source: showtopmodel.ru