 launched his own clothing business, David Gandy Wellwear. 'There's no way I could have launched my own brand before. I didn't know anything about margins or lead times.' We're in a Belgravia coffee shop and Gandy's just ordered his second Americano. When he arrived, he made a joke about being tired, only the 42-year-old model doesn't look it – which is, of course, a tiny bit unfair. I spent over an hour trying to find my best jeans and drying my hair before slapping on foundation, concealer, bronzer and highlighter because I didn't want to meet David Gandy looking like an old teabag. Meanwhile, there he sits wearing a black T-shirt paired with Frame corduroys and Chelsea boots, accessorised by his rescue dog, Dora, and he looks exactly like the David Gandy who's starred on more than 70 magazine covers: handsome, wolfish face; wide smile; no dark circles under those blue eyes. (Although I don't know why everyone goes on about his eyes without mentioning his eyelashes. They are){kind=link}
The Essex-born star has made the jump from model to wellness guru – just don’t call him the male Gwyneth Paltrow
David Gandy is talking about Marks & Spencer, his former employer. “My line was the most expensive they did. I’ve still got the jackets, but then they went in another direction…” He trails off, unwilling to slam the British giant he collaborated with for six years on items including suits, pyjamas and the fastest-selling swimming trunks in the store’s history.
“Another direction?” I ask, because I’m less diplomatic than the softly spoken but very beefy 6ft 2in supermodel sitting in front of me.
“Competing with the likes of Primark,” Gandy elaborates, as if he disapproves of Marks & Spencer’s attempts to take on the fast-fashion end of the high street. “Whereas if you look at their food, that’s premium and everybody loves it.”
On the other hand, Gandy does credit Marks & Spencer with teaching him the intricacies of how a piece of clothing is made, which is fortunate because last autumn, having parted ways with the high-street chain, the world’s most famous male model (go on, name another one) launched his own clothing business, David Gandy Wellwear. “There’s no way I could have launched my own brand before. I didn’t know anything about margins or lead times.”