David Gandy

David James Gandy (born 19 February 1980) is an English model and creative director who began his career after winning a televised model-search competition. Recognized as one of the most successful male models in the fashion industry, Gandy served as the lead male model for Dolce & Gabbana for over a decade before becoming the creative director of his own eponymous brand. In an industry largely dominated by thinner builds, his muscular physique prompted several menswear designers to shift their fashion standards.

Born in Billericay, Essex, Gandy initially planned to pursue a career as a veterinary surgeon, but his grades did not meet the entry requirements. While studying multimedia computing, he worked for Auto Express delivering sports cars to tracks for testing. In 2001, while studying marketing at the University of Gloucestershire, his flatmate entered him without his knowledge into a modeling competition on ITV's This Morning. Gandy won the contest, securing a contract with Select Model Management in London, and left university the following year to pursue modeling full time.

Early in his career, Gandy modeled for various brands, including Zara, H&M, Hugo Boss, and Marks & Spencer. In 2006, he became the face of Dolce & Gabbana, starring in their annual apparel campaigns and fashion shows through 2011. He gained international prominence with the 2007 campaign for Dolce & Gabbana's "Light Blue" fragrance, photographed by Mario Testino, which accumulated 11 million online views and featured a 50-foot billboard in Times Square. He went on to star in subsequent "Light Blue" campaigns in 2010 and 2013, appeared in the brand's 2008 calendar, and was featured in the 2011 book David Gandy by Dolce & Gabbana.

Gandy expanded his portfolio with campaigns for Banana Republic, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label. He appeared in promotional short films, including "Away We Stay" for W Hotels, "Escapism" for Jaguar, and Marks & Spencer's 2013 holiday campaign. Outside of modeling, Gandy released the "David Gandy Men's Style Guide" mobile app in 2010 and a fitness app in 2012. He has also authored a blog for British Vogue, written car reviews for British GQ, served as a guest editor for the Evening Standard, and contributed columns to Telegraph Men.

Throughout his career, Gandy has participated in various industry initiatives, serving on the British Fashion Council's committee to launch London Collections: Men and speaking on panels at the Oxford Union and the Vogue Festival. During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, he was the only male model to walk the catwalk celebrating British fashion. He has received numerous industry accolades, including Spanish Glamour's "Most Beautiful International Male Face" award in 2008 and nominations for Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2010 and 2012. Forbes ranked him among the world's top-earning male models in both 2009 and 2013.

In 2012, Gandy obtained his racing licence and competed in the 2013 Mille Miglia race in Italy driving a 1950 Jaguar XK120 alongside co-driver Yasmin Le Bon. He lives in Richmond Park with his long-term partner, family-law barrister Stephanie Mendoros, and their two daughters.