David Gandy is in love with travelling. He takes 80-90 flights a year for his work. His modelling career started relatively late, he was 21, and quite by accident.

He was studying marketing at the University of Gloucestershire when his flatmate sent his photos to a modelling competition This Morning on ITV’s tv channel. With no idea about it Gandy won the competition. The prize is a contract with the Select Model Management agency in London.

“I was about to finish my studies when I started working as a model. At that time, male models were androgynous skinny boys. And I have always played rugby and football at school and was quite big (1.88cm tall) compared to them. I was made fun of a lot in the early years. The jackets at the castings didn’t fit me. I remember trying to squeeze into a pair of Dolce & Gabbana trousers, unsuccessfully! And the faces of the models around me, of course… I’ve been told I look too good to be a model.”

During the early years of her career, Gandhi modelled for brands such as Jaguar, Zara, Gant U.S.A., Hugo Boss, H&M, Carolina Herrera, and Massimo Dutti. In 2006 he became the face of Dolce & Gabbana and starred in their campaigns, fashion shows and in their fragrance advertisements until 2011, working with Scarlett Johansson, Gisele Bündchen and Naomi Campbell.

He became famous starring the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume commercial, shot by Mario Testino. In 2012, he was on the cover of 16 magazines and had 18 fashion photo shoots. He is a spokesperson for Martini’s “Luck Is An Attitude”, has a blog in British Vogue, is an ambassador for Johnnie Walker whisky and an animal charity, and writes about cars for British GQ magazine. He is a columnist for The Daily Telegraph’s lifestyle section, Telegraph Men. Over the years and as an extension of his career, David has become a style icon.

His interesting challenge was the offer from Marks & Spencer to partner in the creation of a men’s underwear collection. In autumn of 2014 a collection of 28 models – underwear and pyjamas designed by David Gandy David Gandy for Autograph collection collection appeared. Gandy, who was the advertising face of the British brand for three years before that, takes part in the whole process – from the sketches, to the choice of fabrics and patterns, to the packaging.

Mr. Gandhi, you are a style icon, advising men on how to dress on your blog on Vogue’s website. How do you decide your own outfits?

I am honoured that people call me a style icon. I’ve had the advantage of working with the best designers and tailors in the world and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve always been interested in design – whether it’s cars, art, architecture and fashion of course. When you mention the word icon, I’ll tell you a story. I was recently invited to a wedding.

I was wondering how to dress. I googled “prince Charles evening suit.” I saw how he was dressed and here’s an idea. To me, the Prince of Wales is an icon. Otherwise without a watch and perfume I feel naked. In my opinion there is no right and wrong. Fashion is all about individuality and we can enjoy the seasonal colours, cuts, fabrics and styles that suit us.

Difference makes fashion interesting. The truth is, I don’t know what the trends are. It may sound strange, but I don’t believe in trends. If something suits you or you feel comfortable with it, what does anything else matter?

Do you buy your own clothes? How do you choose them?

I buy my own clothes personally. I choose what suits my style and figure. I have a lot of suits and love the British tailoring of the Saville Row craftsmen, who I think are the best in the world. In everyday life I often wear tailored clothes. It’s always nice to have costume related items in an outfit, but I also mix and match my bespoke clothes with those bought from popular brands.

What inspired you for the lingerie line for Marks & Spencer?

I’ve worked with M&S for years on many projects and it was a natural progression to create my own collection. I wanted it to match the best luxury products on the market, but be more affordable. It was an adventure in design, but working with the experts at Marks & Spencer made the process easier.

I had a lot to learn. I was focused on how I wanted the collection and packaging to look. Maybe it helped that I was part of fashion, I’ve watched the process of creation in the designers I’ve worked with. My experience with photographers also helped when it came to shooting for the campaign. I’ve learned what works and sells, and I’ve learned it with the mistakes that have been made in the past.

What underwear do you prefer?

Tight-fitting boxers to below the waist.

Is it true you’re shy?

I’m shy by nature and don’t like to be the center of attention.

How would you react if a woman asked you out on a date? (Most of David Gandhi’s famous girlfriends are models, his last girlfriend was the English singer Molly King).

I would love it. Sometimes the best guys are the shy ones and they won’t ask you out. Sometimes you have to take the ball in your hands. If you don’t enter the game, you won’t win the prize.

Could you describe the one that would attract and inspire you?

It has to be a girl with a great sense of humor.

There’s a fan page on Facebook dedicated to the cause of getting you cast as Christian Grey in the 50 Shades of Grey movie. Would you play that role?

I was invited to audition but didn’t feel it was right for me. Jamie Dornan is a great artist and would do an amazing job.

You’re starring in Jennifer Lopez’s First Love video. How did she invite you? Did you have fun during the shoot?

Jennifer contacted me personally and asked if I would do a shoot with her. I don’t usually star in music videos, but the chance to work with Jennifer and director Anthony Mandrell was too great an opportunity to pass up.

Shooting was a serious job. We were shooting in the desert near LA and fighting very strong winds, sand was everywhere. Despite the harsh natural conditions the atmosphere on set was super and we had a lot of fun.

Is there a film role you dream of?

Wouldn’t every man want to play Bond?

How do you feel succeeding in a profession for women?

Male understanding and male interest in fashion has grown a lot in recent years and the market has expanded tremendously. I would be very happy if I helped accelerate this process. I hope to have made an impact on the way people accept male models and prove that they can worthily rival female supermodels.

Who has helped you in developing your own style?

I’ve never had a stylist. I’ve learned a lot from the great creatives I’ve worked with.

Are good manners important to you? Who taught you to be a gentleman?

I absolutely insist on good manners and I am grateful to my parents and their parents for my upbringing. (An interesting fact from Gandhi’s biography is that his grandfather worked for Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street.)

Which part of the female body do you like the most?

Mind.

The best advice you ever received?

I have never been given advice. But I might give, “Don’t be afraid of failure. You’ll learn more from it than from success.”

…………………………………………………

Favourite car / classic Jaguar XKSS

Favourite perfume / D&G Light Blue

Favourite food / sushi

Favorite watch / Chopard

Favorite drink / “Old Fashioned” Johhnie Walker

Favourite destination / Africa

Favourite feeling / speed