David Gandy has come full circle
The British model and entrepreneur on fatherhood, his return to M&S, and who his money is on for the Formula 1
David Gandy reckons he’s slowed down. The last couple of months have only seen the Essex-born model-turned entrepreneur announced as the first-ever face of Jaeger menswear – “a brand with a remarkable heritage,” he says – front Hackett’s SS26 The Journey of a Man collection – “the best creative campaign I have seen from any brand for a while” – and, biggest news of all, launch his personal line of elevated essentials, David Gandy Wellwear, on Marks & Spencer’s website. “We’ve just recorded three consecutive record-breaking months of sales, which is extraordinary in the current retail climate.”
Then again, before the kids (two girls, aged four and seven, with his partner of 10 years, barrister Stephanie Mendoros), it was up to 90 flights a year. “I was used to having different things happening every day.” So you get the impression that David Gandy might define ‘slowing down’ a little differently to most.
Having acted as the face of M&S menswear for six years, Gandy launched David Gandy Wellwear as a 20-piece anthology of accessibly-priced sweats, tops, loungewear and pyjamas in 2021. “From day one I envisioned M&S as our key wholesale partner,” he says. “So this is a big milestone, a full circle moment. It was during my time at M&S that I first learned my craft – developing an understanding of fabric, fit, and what men really want to wear.” Which, according to the 46-year-old, is textured polo shirts, figure-enhancing T-shirts, flattering underwear and posh pyjamas in soft, breathable, anti-odour, anti-inflammatory cotton. Sounds about right.
We’re all very well, thank you; the family are growing up fast. We are in the middle of teaching the kids how to ride their bikes, which will hopefully make dog walks a bit faster! We live on the edge of Richmond Park, so that’s fortunate.
I absolutely adore restoration and building projects, especially historic houses and cars. Our most recent project was big – 6,000 square feet – so the largest property renovation I have undertaken to date. It’s a wonderful place to live. I’m slightly obsessed with my lawn and have a growing collection of lawnmowers.
Before children I was on up to 90 flights a year, but since having the girls I want to be around. All my business interests and offices are now in London, and I have much more of a regular routine than I did previously. My life revolves around my girls and they come first. I do every drop-off and pick-up I can. For 20 years there was no balance. It was completely orientated towards work, work, work.
For everyday driving I have my modern Jaguars, the F-Pace SVR and electric I-PACE, which I love and are the perfect family cars. However, I have been working with Callum Designs on a Restomod classic Mini, which will eventually be my daily runaround for London.
If I’m heading into central London these days, there won’t be anything on my wrist. For the first time in 25 years of living in this city I don’t feel it is safe enough, which is a pretty sad place to be. The two watches I do wear when I can are my Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso and my classic Omega De Ville.
I’ve just commissioned a special ring to be made by Bear Brooksbank for my partner Stephanie’s 40th birthday.
The ring! There may also be another automotive restoration project with JLR Classics on the cards in the near future.
I’ve always believed that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, but I see myself as a realist more than anything.
Usually my children.
Usually my children!
Probably watching a film on a plane. For some reason I get very emotional when watching films on planes.
When I’m alone.
Around five to six hours. I don’t need any more than that and can live on three to four if I need to.
F1 is really down to the car. And Mercedes looks like it has the best car this year.
Landman.
I would ban social media for anyone under the age of 17. I have been really vocal about the hugely negative impact it has on mental health, as well as modern society and culture as a whole. It has a lot to answer for and needs more regulation.
I would love to visit New Zealand or Antarctica – I haven’t made it to either of those places yet.
Our spring holiday to the Middle East and the Maldives was cancelled, for obvious reasons. We were planning on staying at .Here Baa Atoll [the hotel uses a stop before its name], one of the smallest boutique resorts in the Maldives. But my partner is half Greek, so we spend a lot of time on the island of Syros during the summer.
David Gandy Wellwear is now available online at marksandspencer.com
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