More than a decade after he burst into our collective consciousness in that Dolce & Gabbana commercial, David Gandy is still arguably the world’s only international male supermodel.
DAVID GANDY HAS a good life. I don’t mean when fronting fragrance ads in the Mediterranean or flying around the world to red carpet events. I mean when he’s home in West London, with his girlfriend and their rescue dog Dora.
The morning I meet him, he tells me with a grin about being woken up at 6am by Dora to go for a walk in the park. He reminds me — and bear with me here, because it’s going to sound so Freudian — of my dad. When drafting questions for the interview, all I had to do was hold an imaginary conversation with my old man (minus the multi-million dollar underwear campaign, granted).
I suppose what I’m saying is, David Gandy is an old-school English gent. He loves dogs, the countryside, classic cars, boats, Winston Churchill and James Herriot novels. In fact, he grew up wanting to be a vet thanks to those books set in a rural veterinary practice in North Yorkshire. The only thing that stopped him was a frank self-awareness of his academic abilities. “I think you have to know your limitations in life,” he says. “It would have been a real struggle for me to get the grades.”
So yes, modelling was never Gandy’s dream career. By now, we’re all familiar with his origin story: The televised modelling competition that his friend entered him for without asking. Needless to say, Gandy won and the rest is fashion history. When Dolce & Gabbana cast him as the face (OK, body) of their Light Blue fragrance in 2006, the male modelling industry was a pale and skinny production line of androgynous waifs. Gandy changed all that.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Prestige Singapore.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Prestige Singapore.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.