David Gandy
David Gandy
David Gandy has one of the most recognised faces - and bodies - in the world, thanks mainly to an advert in 2006 for Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue fragrance, which received 11 million online hits and saw a 50ft poster of him grace Times Square. An Essex native, but now settled in London, he spends much of the year travelling and working on campaigns for the likes of D&G and Banana Republic. He is also a motoring correspondent for GQ and Vogue.
What was your most memorable evening in London?
There are many. I think the best ones, though, are those I can’t actually remember.
Where in London do you go shopping for clothes?
Again, many places, but Liberty’s and Selfridges are my favourite department stores. It’s not uncommon to see me walking up and down Saville Row and through Burlington Arcade. For suits, we’re spoilt for choice in London, but I go to Thom Sweeney.
What’s your favourite independent shop in London?
There’s Peckham Rye, just off Carnaby Street. It’s a bit of old-school London and it’s where I buy my ties, great for tailoring and accessories, too. They have a 200-year family tradition. And there’s Burlington Arcade, of course, and all of the many independent shops located in there.
David Gandy for Codigo Unico. Photo by Hunter & Gatti / Styling by Jesus Cicero / Hair & Makeup by Scott Ade at Larry King / Creative Direction by Beatriz Tarrega
Who is your favourite British designer?
Vivienne Westwood and the tailor Richard James.
Do you have a favourite Londoner?
I’ll have to think a bit here. Okay - Boris Johnson. I love his eccentricity, but I have also seen improvement under him: on the underground and public transport, on the roads as well. Getting rid of that stupid idea of the M4 bus lane and congestion charge expansion.
David Gandy for Codigo Unico. Photo by Hunter & Gatti / Styling by Jesus Cicero / Hair & Makeup by Scott Ade at Larry King / Creative Direction by Beatriz Tarrega
Tell us something we don’t know about the capital.
The best place to watch the sunset is from Putney Bridge looking down the Thames.
What’s your favourite area of the capital?
Hhhmmm… Lillie Road in Fulham, I think. It’s great for antiques and vintage shops.
If you could have a giant billboard of you in London where would it be?
I’ve already had one! It was on the side of the IMAX, close to the South Bank. If I had another, then that’s still a pretty good place to appear.
This interview first appeared in Pomp magazine, July 2012