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David Gandy is one of the most recognisable faces in fashion, starring in hundreds of campaigns for brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Hugo Boss and many more. He was the first man nominated for model of the year by the British Fashion Council.
From 2014 to 2019 he designed a bestselling range for Marks & Spencer featuring underwear, sleepwear and more, and in 2021, he launched his own fashion and lifestyle brand, David Gandy Wellwear. A committed philanthropist, he has worked with several charities, from Save the Children to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, and backed the Centre for Social Justice’s Lost Boys report on the crisis facing boys and young men in the UK today. The David Gandy Wellwear summer collection is available now.
What was the last treat you bought yourself?
A very fancy electric Cobra Fortis lawnmower last summer. I now have three lawnmowers as I am slightly obsessed with my garden, especially the lawn.
Cobra Fortis 25FTE cordless fine turf cylinder mower 63cm
Where do you buy your food from?
I mix M&S food with daily shopping at Waitrose, as the staff at my East Sheen store are amazing. Next door is Valentina Deli, which I love as I am obsessed with anything Italian when it comes to food, probably a hangover from the many campaigns I have shot in Italy over the years.
What’s the best present you’ve given?
You would have to ask the people I gave them to. There’s a brilliant artist I have worked with called Daisy Simpson who has hand-drawn pencil portraits of my children and pets, and my family love them. I prefer giving gifts that are well thought through and highly personal. I love giving presents, whereas I feel very awkward receiving anything.
… and the best present you’ve received?
A pedal go-kart when I was six years old.
What’s your favourite online store?
I love interiors and am a big fan of anything Andrew Martin does, so I spend a lot of time on his website sourcing things for the house. The wallpaper in our daughters’ playroom is his ark animal motif, and we have a lot of his chairs too.
Andrew Martin ark wallpaper
What’s your favourite bricks-and-mortar shop?
Thom Sweeney on Old Burlington Street in London. It’s more than a menswear store; it’s a townhouse (which recently expanded into the art gallery next door) designed as somewhere its clients can hang out, play pool and have a coffee – rather than just shop. It gets into the male psyche, which is something I love about brands – when they become more than the product itself.
What’s the gadget you use most often?
The SmartLife app on my phone, which allows me to control most things in my home while out and about.
SmartLife app
What’s the purchase you regret the most?
Probably the Fortis lawnmower … I should have gone for one of Allett’s petrol mowers.
What’s the thing(s) you get delivered?
Since we finished renovating our home in London, my attention has turned to the garden, which is my new obsession. So at the moment, flowers, plants and topsoil are the most frequent deliveries to our front door.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Incrediball’ (Strong Annabelle)
Where do you buy your underwear?
Obviously I wear my own brand’s pants, but I also like Sunspel.
What would you buy with £20 – and £200?
For £20, I would buy my rescue dog Dora some of her favourite fresh lamb chews. With £200, I’d probably treat myself to a plate of spaghetti alle vongole in Italy, and spend some of my British Airways air miles to help get me there.
Perrito lamb dog chews, 100g
What’s your ‘saved search’ on eBay/Vinted?
I don’t have an account for either. But on the Collecting Cars app, there’s a Jaguar XKR-S that’s saved, and I’m following it closely …
What item do you buy on repeat?
Nespresso coffee pods.
Nespresso original coffee pods
How do you make your coffee at home?
With a Nespresso coffee maker.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
What’s your biggest splurge?
Classic cars. I have bought and restored quite a few now – my favourite being my Jaguar XK120, which I have since raced in the Mille Miglia [a 1,000-mile endurance race through Italy] several times. My career has enabled me to splurge on this particular hobby.
And what everyday item do you scrimp on?
Posh bottles of hand soap that I then refill with cheaper alternatives.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, 500ml
What’s your greatest vintage find?
When I was living in New York about 20 years ago, I loved shopping in vintage stores. One of the best pieces I ever bought was a shearling Burberry aviator jacket – I still have it today.
For more, read How I Shop with Kim Cattrall and Banjo Beale
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