David Gandy Setting The Next Evolution Of Fashion: Sustainability

When he first entered an industry dominated by skinny models, David Gandy’s muscular build caused some menswear designers to change standards. Today, he’s setting the next evolution of fashion: sustainability

- Cezar Greif

Take a Gander

The world’s first male supermodel answers the question once posed by Zoolander, “Is there more to life than being ridiculously good-looking?”

HE HAS WON MODEL OF THE YEAR NUMEROUS TIMES.

He has represented Britain at the London Olympics. And of course, he’s ridiculously good-looking. But all that didn’t exempt David Gandy from having to take time off during the lockdown. Thankfully, he was back in full work mode when he met us to do a shoot on a boat, on the Thames in London this autumn. “It’s weird, you get out of practice, not having shot for so long,” he reflects. “But I suppose then you have a bit of muscle memory kicking in, reminding yourself what you have to do. It was a little bit daunting, being on a set again, being on my game. We were all slightly relaxed. Photographer Charlie Gray suggested ‘What if we got a boat?’ A boat on the river, we’d never done it before!” At 41, David is entering a new phase of his career, launching his own fashion brand, Wellwear. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to discuss the many endeavors of this iconic supermodel.

Can you tell us what was it like growing up?

I read a good description of the ’80s: “one big bad hair day!” It made me laugh. I was a kid, growing up and playing sports. But I look back at it fondly. The ’90s were a great time in music and fashion, especially in the UK. We were ahead of the game, it was an exciting time to be around. But I always wonder about the “zeros,” [the first decade of the new century], what are the zeros going to stand for? What are going to be the iconic pieces from that time? We almost always regurgitate fashion, it’s always coming back.