DAVID GANDY: HOW EMBRACING IMPOSTER SYNDROME CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Summary

Podcast Summary: Great Company with Jamie Laing – Episode Featuring David Gandy

Episode Title: DAVID GANDY: HOW EMBRACING IMPOSTER SYNDROME CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Jamie Laing
Guest: David Gandy
Production: Jampot Productions

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing, host Jamie Laing sits down with the internationally acclaimed male model, David Gandy, to explore the intricacies of embracing imposter syndrome and its transformative potential. Beyond the surface of modeling, their conversation delves deep into personal growth, mental health, business ventures, and the evolving landscape of masculinity.

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Early Beginnings and Modeling Career

David Gandy recounts his unexpected entry into the modeling world, highlighting his initial hesitations and the pivotal moments that shaped his illustrious career.

• Unexpected Opportunity: David shares how a university friend enrolled him in a modeling competition on ITV's Richard and Judy, a move that would alter his life's trajectory.

  "I have nothing to lose. I'm gonna go and do it. Why not?" [10:34]

• Winning Against Odds: Despite his shyness and lack of prior experience, David won the competition, securing a contract with Select Model Agency. This victory marked the beginning of his journey in the fashion industry.

• Building a Personal Brand: Unlike many male models who remain relatively unknown by name, David emphasizes the importance of branding. He meticulously crafted a personal brand that resonated globally, setting him apart in an industry often dominated by iconic female supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.

  "It's about branding. That's all it was. And when he spoke to Chris, turning 10, and I read about Cindy Crawford, that was the platform I followed." [14:11]

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Embracing Imposter Syndrome

A significant portion of the discussion centers around imposter syndrome—its challenges and how embracing it can lead to personal and professional growth.

• Redefining Imposter Syndrome: David challenges the conventional negative perception of imposter syndrome, viewing it instead as a driving force that propels individuals to step out of their comfort zones.

  "It's not a bad thing. It's not a terrible thing at all. Most successful people have imposter syndrome." [11:00]

• Continuous Growth: He underscores that without feelings of inadequacy, one might not push themselves enough, leading to stagnation.

  "Feeling uncomfortable. If you're not feeling uncomfortable, you're feeling safe. And if you're feeling safe, you're not driving forwards." [11:45]

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Mental Health and Masculinity

David and Jamie delve into the pressing issues of men's mental health and the societal constructs of masculinity.

• Challenges in Communication: David highlights the difficulties men face in expressing their mental health struggles, noting societal pressure and the stigmatization of vulnerability.

  "Men will not admit it to this day... It's a thing that men need to talk, and not even that sometimes. People spend their whole life trying to hide it." [20:32]

• Impact of Societal Expectations: They discuss how the shifting definitions of success and masculinity contribute to the "Lost Boys" phenomenon—young men feeling directionless and unsupported.

  "Success is about having a purpose, being close to family and friends, being loving, caring, and loyal. We've shifted the idea of what success is to something toxic." [25:02]

• Community and Support Systems: The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, authentic connections, and supportive networks in combating mental health challenges among men.

  "Community. You're talking, and that is being lost." [23:10]

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Business Ventures: Launching Wellware

Transitioning from modeling, David discusses his entrepreneurial journey with Wellware, a brand that integrates style with well-being.

• Balancing Personal Brand and Business: David explains the challenges of juggling his established personal brand with building a new business venture, emphasizing the strategic leveraging of his fame to support Wellware's growth.

  "With Wellware, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. I knew it was going to be the hardest thing. So bloody hard." [36:40]

• Innovation and Sustainability: Wellware focuses on sustainable materials and technology-enhanced clothing that promotes well-being. Features include infrared technology in hoodies for heat absorption and UV protectant fabrics in summer wear.

  "Our swimwear is made from biodegradable fabric that breaks down in three years instead of 50 years." [42:41]

• Overcoming Challenges: David candidly shares the hurdles faced in establishing Wellware, from financial constraints to market positioning, underscoring the resilience required in entrepreneurial ventures.

  "If the business doesn't work, it falls on me. I'm responsible for people's livelihoods and wages." [44:42]

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Personal Insights and Reflections

Throughout the episode, David offers profound personal insights, revealing a multifaceted personality beyond his modeling persona.

• Confidence and Self-Worth: Despite his public image, David discusses his internal journey towards self-confidence and understanding his worth, especially in an industry where male recognition is sparse.

  "I can never talk about other people in it, but I never want people to think I'm an unkind person." [32:31]

• Love for History and Tradition: David's passion for history and traditional tailoring stems from his upbringing, influencing his business philosophy with Wellware and his advocacy for sustainable fashion.

  "Tailoring needs to come back. We have to preserve the artistry that goes on in Savile Row." [56:22]

• Fatherhood and Personal Life: Balancing career and family, David shares glimpses into his role as a father, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and grounding amidst professional demands.

  "I think I'm a good dad. It's something I feel naturally good at." [64:27]

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Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

As the conversation winds down, David and Jamie engage in a light-hearted segment of rapid-fire questions, revealing David's personal quirks and preferences. David expresses no fear of failure, viewing challenges as integral to growth and innovation.

• Determination and Resilience: David cites his determination as both a strength and a source of internal pressure.

  "My determination scares me most about myself." [63:03]

• Passion Projects: From racing vintage cars to meticulous lawn care, David shares his diverse interests that keep him grounded and fulfilled.

  "My lawn is my new love... Once you're a dad, get a lawn." [63:29]

• Future Aspirations: Looking ahead, David plans to continue advocating for men's mental health and expanding Wellware's impact in the fashion industry.

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Notable Quotes

• "It's not a bad thing. It's not a terrible thing at all. Most successful people have imposter syndrome." – David Gandy [11:00]

• "Feeling uncomfortable. If you're not feeling uncomfortable, you're feeling safe. And if you're feeling safe, you're not driving forwards." – David Gandy [11:45]

• "I think I'm a good dad. It's something I feel naturally good at." – David Gandy [64:27]

• "Success is about having a purpose, being close to family and friends, being loving, caring, and loyal." – Jamie Laing [25:15]

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Conclusion

This insightful episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing offers listeners an intimate look into David Gandy's journey through the modeling industry, his battles and triumphs with imposter syndrome, and his ventures into business and personal growth. David's honesty and depth provide valuable lessons on resilience, the importance of mental health, and the transformative power of embracing one's vulnerabilities. Whether you're an aspiring professional, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating personal challenges, this conversation serves as a beacon of inspiration and understanding.

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Transcript

[Adam Grant]

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[David Gandy]

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[Jamie Laing]

Hello everyone, my name is Jamie Laing and this is Great Company. Well, hello everyone. Welcome back to Great Company podcast.

[Jemima]

Welcome back.

[Jamie Laing]

Welcome back. That's Jemima who's always here with me. Not always, but I'd love to be always. You can always. She's always with me. She's always there in my mind.

[Jemima]

When you say welcome back, it sounds like they've just gone to the toilet.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah. Welcome back everyone from the toilet. Where have you been? This is me, I'm your host. Welcome to the show. A really exciting guest that we have today. Just want to caveat with this. So we've recorded the episode obviously and Jemima, you. We have David Gandhi on today.

[Adam Grant]

Yes.

[Jamie Laing]

Very good looking international male model.

[Jemima]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

What did you say?

[Jemima]

So before, before he came in, everyone's like, oh yeah, obviously a very attractive man. And everyone was like, yeah, I can appreciate he's like a really beautiful man but like kind of not really my type. Like maybe a little bit too good looking. Nah, not like I wouldn't, not for me. And then he came in, he came.

[Jamie Laing]

In and then Jemima wasn't with me, but I was standing in the kitchen, I said hi to him, he went downstairs, Jemima runs up the stairs, runs in and went, good God.

[Jemima]

All I can say is he really is.

[Jamie Laing]

He's a good looking guy.

[Jemima]

Good looking.

[Jamie Laing]

He's a good looking guy.

[Jemima]

Good looking. Aura, smell good. Oh, and the other thing, highly, highly embarrassing. I that morning I have normal perfumes I wear and I happened to stay at my mum and dad's house the night before. And that in that house is light blue, which is the perfume that he very famously advertised. Yeah. And I love that perfume. So whenever I'm there, I'm always like, lather it on because I don't know the next time I'm going to be here. And pop light blue on. So I smothered myself in light blue. Then he comes into the office and I was like, I stink of light blue. I'm like fangirling through smell, and you can't cover smell. So he would have met me and been like, she reeks of light blue. Because she's. No, she's meeting me today and she's done it as an homage. And I was like, it's. I just. I realized it halfway through the recording and was like, I stink be. I smell nice.

[Jamie Laing]

I think he would have loved it.

[Jemima]

David Gandhi.

[Jamie Laing]

David Gandhi. What an amazing chat. What an amazing interview. He is obviously renowned throughout the world for being one of the top male models. We speak about modeling, we speak about fatherhood, we speak about business. He has his new loungewear, sort of activewear business. And we talk about so many different things. We talk about anxiety, talk about life in general.

[Jemima]

Yeah. And how he got found as well. Because he's quite unique in. You know, when you think of the supermodels, you think of Kate, Naomi, Cindy. You kind of know them by their first names. There's not many men who you would know just by their male models that you'd know by just their name. It's quite unique. It's fascinating.

[Jamie Laing]

And also feeling. It's a great insight into building a personal brand. That's what David has done. He's built a international personal brand. Today's episode has ups and downs and lefts and rights. It's amazing in every single way. So we hope you enjoy it. Remember also, if you haven't subscribed to the show already, just click that button. It does us wonders. It means we can keep getting the guests that you like, and it means we keep making the show. Let us know in the comments what you like, what you dislike, maybe what guests you want on next. And as always, get in touch on email, Great Company podcast on instagram or great companyproductions.co.uk.

[Jemima]

Also, as he's so good looking, might be a good opportunity. If you've never done it before, hop onto our YouTube.

[Jamie Laing]

Have a watch going from Jemima. Go and have a look at that.

[Jemima]

Have a watch.

[Jamie Laing]

Go and have a watch on YouTube. You ready for this? I'm ready. Enjoy this episode of Great Company with David Gandhi.

[David Gandy]

Hi, I'm David Gandhi and I'm in Great Company.

[Jamie Laing]

I had sort of. I had sort of the worst day of my life and best ever life almost in sync. I. I have Google alerts on. Right, okay. Which basically mean that you get an alert if you. If you're on Google. Right. You probably don't have it, but I do. And I got alert. Jiku, best dressed. I was like, I fucking knew it. I knew this day was coming. It's like, here we go. And I click on it. And I'm just trying to be, like, nonchalant, just being casual. Click on it. Top 10, number one. It's like you were probably up there. It's probably Gandhi, Beckham, Styles. It was going through and I was like, I can't see my name anywhere. Flicked across top 10, worst dressed. I was number three. I couldn't believe it. My emotions going from here to here was just wild. You're at university and your friend, your friend signed you up to a modeling competition on ITV with Richard and Judy.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, yeah. The original this morning. Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

Tell me everything, tell me everything. Because I've, by the way, I've got all the time in the world, so I'm locking the doors and keeping you in, just to let you know.

[David Gandy]

I didn't. I didn't really. I didn't know this happened. And I got a call from guy called Devon, who was a booker at select, and now I have to do the impression of him because imagine if you were on the phone. You're a guy from Essex, he went to university. It was like, hi, Brad, how are you? Oh, no, you've got a cupboard for the. Gotta come in for like the last 15 of the modeling competition. And I was like, okay, nutcase. And they're lovely to see you, but, like, literally put the phone down, sat there that evening, said, you won't believe what happened today. The guy called from Select Model Agency and said about competition. And Abby went, no, no, no, I put you in for this, I put you in for this. And showed me what she putting. And then I said, oh, I better call them back. So I called them back and I had to go on into London. They chose the last, last 10 of us. And I said to Ravi, they want you on. They want you on tv. And she went, I'm not going on tv. I went, you put me up for this. You're coming on television. She went, not coming on. I didn't know what else to do. So it was in London. So my mum, dad, we were living Essex at the time, and I just thought, I've got to take Mum. But Mum won't come on. Like, she'll be too nervous. So I sort of went home and went, oh, by the way, I'm. I'm on the tv. Like in a couple of days time, the film crew are coming and they need to interview you. And my mom went, no, no. Like, no. And I was like, you haven't really got a choice, Mom. I'm so sorry to have to put you into this. Mum had no idea about the competition. No idea. And she was like, fine, okay, like, we'll. We'll do it. And bless her, she did. And she was there when I won on the day as well.

[Jamie Laing]

What did you win? Well, apart from massive. Massive kudos.

[David Gandy]

Yeah. You didn't. What do you win? You won a contract with select to go onto their books.

[Jamie Laing]

I need a. Because I think you were a shy person. Right.

[David Gandy]

Still am I.

[Jamie Laing]

So that for me, someone puts you up for something, you're shy, but you still go and do it.

[David Gandy]

Didn't have anything to lose. Hated university. Wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do. It was an adventure. And I thought, yeah, why not? Let's. Curious person, let's see what this is all about.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, but what I really like about that is there are so many people probably here who, you know, and people who are listening, right, who. Who don't step out of that comfort zone. That, for you, I imagine, was a massive step outside of the comfort zone. But you did it because you were like, I have nothing to lose. I'm gonna go and do it. Why not?

[David Gandy]

I think that's the thing with. If something scares me, I have to step forward and I have to confront it. And that's. People talk about imposter syndrome as a bad thing. And I always say to people, it's not a bad. It's not a terrible thing at all. And if you speak to most successful people, all had imposter syndrome. And it's this idea that I. I've always thought if I haven't. If I walk into a room and I haven't got that imposter syndrome, if I'm not nervous, if I don't think I should be there, I'm never. I'm not pushing myself because I'm. I've just. I've. I've gone comfortably numb in just a situation. Sit around and gone. We've done this, haven't we? We've. We've succeeded here. So what's the next one? And that's why I probably am always pushing and I walk into same thing. Well, your drive. That's probably my drive. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

Feeling uncomfortable. If you're not feeling uncomfortable, you're feeling safe. And if you're feeling safe, you're not driving forwards.

[David Gandy]

Sounds kind of strange, isn't it?

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, but it sounds Good as well, at the same time, because. Did you ever consider saying no when you were called.

[David Gandy]

Can't Remember? No, I don't think I probably ever did. I can't remember as long. It's a while ago, but. But there's things I have said no to that I was nervous about that didn't do. And that's the only things I regret.

[Jamie Laing]

Like what?

[David Gandy]

There were a couple of probably films and I never wanted to be an actor. This is the other thing. But there were a couple of films that I looked at and I just thought, I'm not an actor. I can't learn lines.

[Jamie Laing]

What? Tell me, like, what you're going to say, Fight Club or something like that.

[David Gandy]

No, no, no. There's been a few. There's been. There's been quite. There's been quite a few.

[Jamie Laing]

Just give me one. Just tease it out. Come on, give me one.

[David Gandy]

Um, well, everyone. This is the famous one that everyone says that I said no to, but I never actually said no to it. It was. I was sent the script because the author met me and said, can I send you script? And it was to 50 shades of gray. And I read it and went, what? No, but I. But I actually. Yeah, that's why I've only said. That's what I said. The only. The only one I received.

[Jamie Laing]

David, your agents are eating their fist. When you said no, they were like, sorry, this is gonna be wow. But growing up for me, right, you know, it felt like the modeling industry was the only place that women were being paid more than men.

[David Gandy]

And so they should.

[Jamie Laing]

So they should 100%. And it felt like this was where these amazing supermodels, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, you know, these incredible women were sort of dominating this industry. Did that ever shift, or was it always that it felt like it was dominated by these incredible women?

[David Gandy]

Well, no, it was dominated. And, you know, I said before I. I worked with Chrissy Turnington, and I asked her, and I literally said, how do you. And there was no man I. Where I wanted to be. There wasn't a man on that level that I could ask and say, how'd you get there? It was about branding. It was. That's all it was. And when he spoke to Chris, turning 10 and I read about Cindy Crawford, that was the platform I followed. And it was. It was a business. It would. That was it. You needed to. To your name. Needed to be a name. You know, when we say become a.

[Jamie Laing]

Name, that's so interesting.

[David Gandy]

Well, because we say Chrissy, Naomi, Cindy, you don't need to ask who they are. I'm saying you say David, you know, you know, But. But it was like, the name needs to be, oh, you know, David Gandhi. He's the guy from this. He's the guy. And light blue gave me that platform. But I didn't want to be. I couldn't be the guy in the white pants for too long. I needed to then leverage that. And that's when we did. And everyone told me, not possible. And then I would say, I want an exclusive contract. I don't want to work for many brands. I want to work exclusively for certain brands. And they were amending exclusive contracts. And that's when we did that.

[Jamie Laing]

There's a couple of things here which I think is so good. Firstly, I'm always a big believer in never following logic. I say this a lot. Never follow logic because it gets you back in the same place as everybody else.

[David Gandy]

You. You.

[Jamie Laing]

You never follow logic. There's a great story of when you used. I had used to get a fax out with all the places that you would go to castings, and everyone went one way, top to bottom. You turned it around, went from bottom to top. So it was different.

[David Gandy]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

Which is. So. It's so good. And whether that was.

[David Gandy]

You say that's. That's not logical. To me, it seems logical. It means it seems a logical thing to do.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, but maybe it was out of shyness or whatever. It's still. It's still a really good tactic.

[David Gandy]

You know, that's about people following. You know, they follow each other.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, but don't follow the crowd. Why fit in when we're born to stand out? It's the most important thing. And. And I also really like the way that you. You knew your worth and. And I feel like you did you say, I only. I'm gonna be loyal, but I want to work for you, and I want this to be that you kind of knew your worth. And I think a lot of the time, we forget what our worth is.

[David Gandy]

Well, the. The worth was. I wasn't worth anything at the start.

[Jamie Laing]

Agreed.

[David Gandy]

And that was. That was the difference when they. What you just said there was. The women were paid so much more, and they were, you know, the global superstars of the fashion world. And we both said, rightly so. And if someone said, well, yeah, but you should really be, you know, there should be equality on a set. Like if you're both in the same campaign. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. If I'm doing a campaign with Kate Moss and I'm nobody of Course, Kate Moss. Kate Moss is going to be the one that everyone is looking at. Kate Moss is engaging with everyone. Kate Moss is bringing in the sales and you have to level that up. There's no complaining about it. You level that up until your point where you are at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games and you're standing next to Kate Moss because you're part of that group.

[Jamie Laing]

Did that happen?

[David Gandy]

That happened.

[Jamie Laing]

There we go.

[David Gandy]

Yeah. And then there you go. And you go, right, I'm now leveled up and now I, I know my worth and we're. You know, I'm never going to be on the same level as Kate Moss. But.

[Jamie Laing]

But David. But it's true. But there are, it's that there are all the women that you mentioned, which is amazing. There is very few men that I can name. I mean, someone says to me, Gandhi. I know who Gandhi is. Not. There's two.

[David Gandy]

We go back to history.

[Jamie Laing]

That's two. It's always supposed to be David Gandhi. I know exactly who David Gandhi is. And I think a lot of people, you know, whether they, whether they, they know you or not, they've heard the name and it's, it's a. I just find it fascinating that you, you built yourself up in an industry that was dominated by women to, to come to make yourself into a name.

[David Gandy]

My whole team was women.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah. Amazing as well.

[David Gandy]

That, that, that was the whole thing. And I've always kind of.

[Jamie Laing]

Isn't that amazing?

[David Gandy]

Preferred working with women than guys, so. And Tanya, Anson and Heidi, still the owner of select, still my book it today. Yeah. I work predominantly with women all the time.

[Jamie Laing]

Talking about being shy. Right. Did you grow up always being, would you say, shy or an introvert? What would you say?

[David Gandy]

Yeah. Yes, yes and yes. Shy at nursery, remember? Holding onto my mum, not wanting to go school. Never really fitted in. Hating school, university, same. Wasn't really tired until I sort of got out and working on my own in the fashion. And you're. You're basically on your own and you're traveling and you're around the fashion capitals trying to make something happen and you're doing it all yourself. It's you, yourself. Right. And that's all I needed. That's all I was relying on.

[Jamie Laing]

Because that's only trusted yourself.

[David Gandy]

No, I trusted certain people. I trusted. I don't. I don't sort of trust that many people that's learned the hard way.

[Jamie Laing]

But you, you, you mentioned that you had to learn the hard way. What do you mean by that?

[David Gandy]

What with people never trust People, especially with money. Money does funny things to people. And yeah, never, never trust people with money, unfortunately. I know, I know that sounds absolutely horrid. It really, really does. But not anyone be very, very careful really, with everything businesses, even if it's contracted, percentages, everything else. Money does the funny things to the best people sometimes if they care. That's what they, you know, think they care about. So, yeah, you, you, you learn, you learn and you learn about loyalty as well. Yeah, There was a great thing recently I read about, especially men who. You men generally have this, this group and I know about you all the same as a bit like sort of WhatsApp. Like I have WhatsApp groups. My friends from back home, since I've been like, you know, five or six friends in, in sort of like the fashion industry and other groups, and we generally just rip the absolute shreds out of each other. And if my other half ever sees and she's like, I can't believe you guys talk to her. I said, but that's, that's loyalty. Like, that's, it's, it's a, it's a weird thing that, you know, if we're all in a group and someone, we can rip the shreds out of each other. If there's a new person there, that starts as well. Whoa, whoa, hang on. Hold the phone a second. You haven't, you haven't been around long enough to be able to say that. But the rest of us will keep on doing it. And there's this really interesting thing about how supportive those people are, that how loyal, you know, those friends are within that group. When you can confidently rip the. Out of each other and you're still mates, because it's quite rare these days.

[Jamie Laing]

And if you were to send a message to that group saying, I don't feel good or I'm having a hard time, what would the response be?

[David Gandy]

I'd get a call from Larry king within about 30 seconds and probably a few others as well, but we never do. So you have to. This, this is a thing I do a lot. I try and do a lot with men's mental health. You'll never say it. I think it was. I think you have to.

[Jamie Laing]

What do you mean you'll never say it?

[David Gandy]

I don't think anyone would say I'm not feeling good. Maybe some people would do, but I think generally men will not say. I think you have to find the clues to it to. Because the bet. You know what? I think the people who do suffer from, from mental health Issues and depression, they are. They spend their whole life trying to hide it, not trying to actually, you know, that that's what your aim is, to try and hide it from people. So I always think you're, you're. If I ever say to a friend or say to someone, how you doing? He goes, yeah, I'm all right. Yeah, I'm okay. And I'm always sort of like, you're not. Because okay is not. It's, you know, that's, that's the alert word kind of thing. I'm like, okay, you don't have to say anything. It's, you know, you, I don't think you have to delve too deep. But that's, it's always, you know, when you have someone go, yeah, I'm great, actually. Like, that's, yeah, things are good at the moment. Okay, that's kind of like the truth. But I don't think men really open up to go. Open up to go, yeah, mate, I'm not not doing it. Not doing that well at the moment. I think it's, yeah, I'm doing okay. And okay is not good.

[Jamie Laing]

Why are those words so hard to say sometimes when you're not. And, and because we're two guys that speak from a men's point of view. Why is that so hard? Why is it so hard to literally say, you know, I'm not feeling good? Because I've definitely been there, right? And it took me. And I, I, I, I, I spoke about a lot recently, but there was a moment after seven years, I finally said to a mate, I'm not feeling good. Took me seven years to say something.

[David Gandy]

I still think men won't admit it to this day. And there's this whole thing about men need to talk, and not even that sometimes. And we're, we're in a, In a world as well, where we're not face to face, like me and you are now, or we're not going to the, you know, things like going to the pub or going to the office. These are all things that I, you know, when working from home came in, I dreaded it from working with men's mental health. And, you know, we'd be on Zoom meetings and there would be two people sitting in the corner upstairs in the, in, in, in, in their office or, or their house and didn't say anything during the call. And then the call goes off and I go, where do those two people go? They didn't say anything. Are they in an office? You adversely see how you, first thing, you come into the office, everyone starts talking. Let's get a coffee. How are you doing?

[Jamie Laing]

It's community as well.

[David Gandy]

Community. You're talking and, and, and that is being lost.

[Jamie Laing]

But then, David, if I was going to ask you, because you're being open, if I was going to say, how, how are you? Are you okay? How are you feeling? What would you say?

[David Gandy]

I would say I'm good at the moment. Yeah, Yeah, I am, I am good. Not always, you know, it hasn't always been the way, but I, but I am at the moment. That's. Yeah, I'm in a good place at the moment and I'm fortunate to be there.

[Jamie Laing]

It's because, again, I don't want to make you feel embarrassed. Right. But you sort of depict that if someone was going to draw a man, they would draw something close similar to you. Right? That's what they would draw on the walls or somewhere. They would draw that. So. And that also depicts, you know, masculinity and alpha and strength and that's what it's meant to depict. But actually what you're saying is you haven't always felt that way. You've, you've.

[David Gandy]

Well, we're about to. This is a. You can't get into the depth of this at the moment. But, but what is changing at the moment is that masculinity, sadly, has been turned into this now toxic masculinity. And it's the new byword, the new word that everyone says. And unfortunately there's a small minority of horrible men. I mean, you know, we know them, they know them, but we know of them that are spawning it for the rest of us. And there's a big problem at the moment which we're going to talk about and I'm going into, going to the House of Parliament to talk about it, which called the Lost Boys. Men don't quite. Young boys between the ages, I think 15, 25 are a little bit lost at the moment.

[Jamie Laing]

Yes, but why, why do you think so?

[David Gandy]

For the reasons we were just talking, I think a second ago to everything. No one, no one is communicating. Everyone's communicating on their phones or. I don't think the opportunities are there and people much anymore.

[Jamie Laing]

And people think success. I say this, people think success is be able to bench 150 kilos doing an ice bath and having money in your crypto wallet. And then that's what they feel like success has gotta be. And actually success is not that success is, I think, and maybe I'm wrong here, but I think success is truly about having a purpose, about being close to family and friends, about being loving, caring and loyal. And that's what true success is. And we've somehow shifted this idea of what success is to being this sort of toxic idea. And when you're not achieving that, you're then lost. So as young men, if you're not getting there, then it's a problem.

[David Gandy]

But I do think young guys have turned to that because no one else is listening. This is my other problem.

[Jamie Laing]

Tell me. I want to hear this.

[David Gandy]

It is. It's my. Not a theory, but it's what I've said that when. So remember, there was a big thing about men's mental health. You know, it was probably three, probably three, four years ago, maybe a bit longer. And it was the thing that men need to talk. That was something I didn't really agree with as well, but. And I said, that's great. Who's gonna listen? Who's listening? Because no one's listening anymore. It's a polarized. If you hear something that you don't like an argument, there's a polarized opinion instantly. There's no conversation anymore. There's no Jagger. It is. You don't like what I've said, I'm not going to listen to you anymore. You either like what I say or we can't. We can't have a discussion. And I think that's a sort of. I think we are so polarized in everything now. These conversations can't really. You can't have a discussion because it turns. I think we're seeing this around the world, everywhere.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah.

[David Gandy]

And people like Trump and people now grown up in this era of celebrities and people bickering on Twitter and bickering on Instagram and having a go at each other. And what do you think this is going to do to children? They're. They're almost not reenacting it, but they've grown up to think this is okay. We have to be so careful about what we say, unless it's taken the wrong way, because people turn things very easily to sensationalize everything, because that's what sells news.

[Jamie Laing]

It's funny. We made a joke. I do a podcast. My wife and I made a joke about the fact that it wasn't really. It definitely was a joke, but now looking at it doesn't feel like a joke. I made a joke that because she's pregnant. Right. And her hormones are slightly all over the place, I said, oh, that I was going to leave her because of her hormones. It's not a Funny joke. It hasn't turned out that funny, but it was sort of funny at the time. We said it on the podcast as a joke together.

[David Gandy]

But.

[Jamie Laing]

But then the headlines come out today saying, seen for the first time since Jamie threatened to leave over hormones, which is not a great looking title.

[David Gandy]

That's not the one you want on your Google alerts, is it?

[Jamie Laing]

Rather the GQ one. Back to talk about that. Men's mental health and modeling. Right. Modeling, I find a fascinating industry because it is pretty much on the way that you look.

[David Gandy]

Absolutely, yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

And that must come with deep insecurities because when I started doing the TV stuff, the only thing I cared about at the beginning was what I looked like. I didn't care what I was saying, didn't care if it was funny or interesting or inform. I didn't care. I just cared what I looked like and that. And every single time, every single week, another episode came out. I just looked. Do I look okay? Oh, my God, what do I look like there? And with modeling, I can't even imagine the sort of body dysmorphia that hits.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, it's a funny thing. You read that.

[Jamie Laing]

It's how honest can you be?

[David Gandy]

I could be how honest how I felt. I, I can't ever talk about other people in it. And it's something I get asked about a lot is about, are you about this image that we are putting on portraying that is this unachievable image to other people and it's making them, you know, this kind of element to it which I've always sort of said, you know, they said, well, you know, of course, David, you know, you, you have the body you have and you know, it, it's unachievable. And I always say, hey, hang on a second. Like I, when I was, you know, 15, 16, and I was. Had quite a bit of puppy fat and I was a little bit overweight, I didn't have the body I have now. This body is how I wanted to, you know, it's the body because of the sport I played and because I played, I wanted to work out. I didn't. I don't train for the modeling industry. I trained because it's been part of my life since I was 18, 19, and it's the, it's my, again, it's my sort of 40 minutes a day of this freedom of being in the gym. And it's how I feel better. It's got nothing to do with anyone else. It's how I feel the best. And I fit that into My day, because it makes me feel better. And that's basically it. So it's. Everything is achievable in that sense. I can understand the other argument behind it, but that is why I sort of say to people and say to any man that it is achievable.

[Jamie Laing]

But did. But did. Because you, like you said you were a shy kid. I've heard you mention before that you experienced some bullying growing up that would, you know, for anyone who's experienced that it makes you feel insecure. And then going into an industry like modeling, like any sort of place where you're put in the public sphere, did it make you more insecure or did it make you more secure?

[David Gandy]

I'm not sure I've ever been insecure.

[Jamie Laing]

Have you not?

[David Gandy]

No, no, no, no. I never have really. And I think, mindset, if you saw me drop the kids off in the morning at school when I, I do the kids around and if you saw what I look like at that time in the morning, you'll realize I'm quite secure in my.

[Jamie Laing]

Trust me, it's what I'm wearing.

[David Gandy]

And.

[Jamie Laing]

I can't go anyway. My breath is. Honestly.

[David Gandy]

But I generally, I don't. Yeah, I generally don't care what people.

[Jamie Laing]

You've never been insecure?

[David Gandy]

I don't think I have.

[Jamie Laing]

Get out of here.

[David Gandy]

No, honestly, like, it's just, there's insecurities, you know, there's, there's. I don't look in the room. You're, you're, you're perfect. You know, I mean, I've always just gone, you know, look at, look at that, look at the nose. Look at the, you know, I've probably never seen what other people maybe have seen because of the self critical side. But, but there's a difference between like that insecurity. I'm confident in myself that I'm not like, I just not worried about being part of a tribe or a group that I have to fit in because I haven't got the right direction. Trainers, watch, car, mobile phone. I just.

[Jamie Laing]

So you don't care what people think?

[David Gandy]

I'd rather be the opposite.

[Jamie Laing]

You don't care what people think?

[David Gandy]

Not particularly, no.

[Jamie Laing]

Wow.

[David Gandy]

I care what they think if. About my personality.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah.

[David Gandy]

I wouldn't want someone, it would devastate me and say, he's an unkind person. Yeah, but I don't care if someone goes, you know, what are you wearing? What? I.

[Jamie Laing]

It doesn't matter. Who gives a.

[David Gandy]

No, no, I, I prefer it.

[Jamie Laing]

Are you insecure? Would you say you have insecurities within your own personality.

[David Gandy]

I always want to work on my personality. I've always. I think I'm always worried about. I mean I. I always have a guilt fact about how I've treated people. I always think about it in the office. I always think about them. Have I. You know, sometimes, you know, business is tough and you have to make decisions. And I am sometimes don't explain myself as thoroughly as I should. And. And you know, tempers can. Can. Can get high. That's business. And you have to make decisions sometimes they're not nice decisions. But I never want people to. I will always go back to say someone that evening and not be, you know, sort of to up my own ass not to go. I have. Let me explain why this happened. I am sorry for maybe, you know, we went a bit far and we said things or I was wrong. Never be scared to say you're wrong ever. That's what people are scared. If the people are scared these days to get things wrong.

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[Jamie Laing]

With Wellware, your business that you're building, you're juggling your personal brand, which is David Gandhi, which is a, I would say a sort of worldwide known brand. And then you're building Wellware, which is a separate brand but you are the founder of it. How do you juggle both?

[David Gandy]

Try and leverage it. Generally leverage the both.

[Jamie Laing]

Explain that to me.

[David Gandy]

So the fact is with, with Wellware is it's certainly the hardest thing I've ever done. I knew it was going to be the hardest thing. So bloody hard.

[Jamie Laing]

So hard. And, and just a quick one doesn't get easier.

[David Gandy]

No, no, I can't see it. And I knew it was going to be this hard. It's why I didn't do it because I had, I had the David Gandhi autograph at, with, with Ms. And you know we did over 80 million in sales in five years.

[Jamie Laing]

80.

[David Gandy]

80 million. Yeah. So, and then we, we came out that out of M S and I've never ever planned I knew how hard it was going to be. But there was something that was, it was the last sort of tick in the box I had to do and I just had guys coming up to me and saying in the supermarket on the street and park just going to, we can't get your T shirts. Where can we get your T shirts? As if I was selling them out of my boot or something of the car. I was like, guys, we just don't make them anymore. I'm so sorry. And it just carried on. And then one of my best friends started a creative agency and the branding agency and said, look, I think we could do this again. And that's where, well, we're started. But of course you haven't got the M and S funds, MNS money, the M and S marketing, advertising. You're starting off with not very much money and a small team. And that was three years ago. But it's difficult. It's difficult. But leveraging the brand is. Yes, I'm two separate entities but in the end you have to look at where. And there's always a plan, there's always a five year plan in the end. Well, where needs to be a separate entity, but I need to have built it up and I can help like I've done with other brands to be the ambassador, to be the face, to be the driving force and I am going to use that advantage hopefully 100%.

[Jamie Laing]

And that's, and that's what I've had to learn with my businesses is that that's where I'm most useful and focusing on that is really important.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, opens doors to a lot of people if you know where you're going. But it's tough.

[Jamie Laing]

But with wellware, it's about integrating style with well being. So how does style and wellbeing work together?

[David Gandy]

Well, the well being element to it is I've always had this idea that you should have confidence from your clothing. Clothing should give you confidence. I was talking about me going out in trend driven stuff and walking out. I, you know, and just never me walking out. And instantly I've lost that confidence in me. I'm not me anymore. I'm something else. Why I always love tailoring, tailoring to me to a point with like a suit of armor. I put it on, I knew I was ready to go, I knew I was ready to go into battle and you know, face the day and. But that would go with, you know, a great fitting T shirt and a pair of jeans and I still felt as good. And clothing, you know, as much as looking good should make you feel good and it's about the tactical element of the, or the tangible element of that clothing, what it's made from, how it feels. We all have that. Our favorite, we have our favorite of everything. We have probably our favorite pair of underwear, our favorite T shirts, our favorite jumpers or. And half the time you'll probably see they're probably the most comfortable. You know, they are the things that. Not that look good, but the comfort level of those things. And it's, it's a, it's in. There are studies that proof if you're, if you're comfortable. They did it with students in this study that, that when they were more comfortable in items they were allowed to be in confidence. They did better in exams. They were more open to people. Maybe they were talking colors. Weird thing is like if someone's wearing blue, people are more open with you and it's very strange and they have more confidence. It's, it's. It's that idea that we sort of came up with. So I just put a number. I said to guys, if we're doing this it has to be stolen. Super comfortable, as sustainable as possible or responsible as possible. And you know, what else can we, what else can we put into this brand? And wellness is such a big thing at the moment. And the guys went off and they came back and they said look, we can put treatments within the clothing so we can put infrared. Infrared basic treatment technology within a hoodie so it absorbs the, the fabrics absorb your, your heat from your body and then put it back into your body.

[Adam Grant]

Wow.

[David Gandy]

Oxygenation and. And we've done the same with all our summer stuff is UV protectant. And then we have sort of well wear Breathe and well wear Care. So all our pajamas have aloe vera in them which moisturizes your skin. And then we have in most of our T shirts I think in wear T shirts actually we have some antibacterial anti odor technology in it. Many reasons for that. You don't have to wash your clothes clothes as long. Sorry as much so you're. I mean I had a meeting today with talking about microplastics which is one of the scariest conversations I think I've had.

[Jamie Laing]

Everything.

[David Gandy]

It's. Well you, you. Not to say this in a. In a very weird way but you know it's just found it in men's.

[Jamie Laing]

Testicles because of the water that we're.

[David Gandy]

Drinking everything breathing thing else. And they're actually thinking of the declining birth rates and people not being able to conceive is to do with this. So we even, even to this idea of where we came to build our swimwear and I said you know guys, we're making swimwear out of. You have to make them out of a polymer resin. What's the. You know, that's great but it's you know polymer resins. If it goes on Landfill is here for 50 to 100 years. So they went to Italy and found a fabric that's biodegradably enhanced, which if it ends up on landfill, which unfortunately a lot of clothing does that, it breaks down in three years instead of 50 years. So we're just trying to prove to other people what could be done to sort of break this cycle in the fashion game as well.

[Jamie Laing]

I love it. You very kindly. I don't know if you know that, but you sent me some of your clothes. And whenever I take a flight, I'm always in at the airport. It looks great and it's so comfortable and it feels amazing. Yeah, it's, it's, it's. And you're so right. And it's. It's weird. You go back to tailoring or a suit or your clothes with. Well, where. When you wear something that makes you feel good and you feel comfortable in. Makes you. Makes you mentally feel better.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Jamie Laing]

What is the. What is the jeopardy with something like starting a business?

[David Gandy]

The jeopardy. I think it's more jeopardy if you're. If you're scared of failing.

[Jamie Laing]

Are you scared of failing?

[David Gandy]

No. No. This would, this would. If I had never started a brand, that I would have gone life going. I should have started a brand. What if now this has been so hard. You know how hard it is and you can never really explain how sometimes hard it is. And yeah, I think you have this lovely idea that will be in the gorgeous office and we'll be coming up with creative ideas and our budgets will be huge and we'll have billboards. I mean. No, no, no, no, not at all. I literally, like. It's like. That looks great. Looks fantastic. Let me try that. Great. I'm off to go and get some more money and finance and. And yeah, I can't afford to pay everyone this week. Yeah, that's it. That's basically your. Your, you know, and then it just takes on. I literally said to Charlie, you know, he's my md, and I went the last time. Any good news? Literally, because it's been.

[Jamie Laing]

I'm 14 years into candy games. I don't think I've had good news since making the logo back at the beginning. I don't think it is. It's so hard. But you, but you keep building and you keep going and you never give up. But it comes with a. I think the jeopardy. Right. Because you are David Gandhi. If the business doesn't work, it falls on you.

[David Gandy]

Of course it falls on me. And I'm also responsible now for like you are, Jim. People's livelihoods and people being paid and wages. And before it was just me, you know, it was me. I in many ways didn't have anything to lose in the morning game when I took chances and how we transitioned from very sort of commercial catalog model. I had to give up everything and to. To then go after what we wanted to. What I wanted to achieve. But I didn't have anything to lose. People say it was a gutsy move and I don't really think it was. It was just.

[Jamie Laing]

Is it gutsy?

[David Gandy]

I wanted to really was.

[Jamie Laing]

It is. I find that. So that story is so amazing that you were in the mornings, you were sort of the catalogs, you were doing those things and you just said no. You stopped everything. You did nothing. You said no to all the jobs and you just waited.

[David Gandy]

What we did, we did a shoot with Tandy Anson, the owner of Select. I did a shoot with Lawrence Thomas, her now husband. And now everyone says of it is that light blue image, which it was that. That was in the stratosphere when it came out. You know, that would. That was mental. But it was two or three images that Lawrence took that totally changed everything.

[Jamie Laing]

What were the images?

[David Gandy]

The images were just very different to what I'd done before. And people, because I had come out, I didn't. All the images I had were commercial images. I wasn't doing editorials. I didn't have any, you know, major campaign shoots. So it was cheesy catalog, so you couldn't really use any of them. So we just did a test and we did this very, very different. And by that stage, you know, within that five years, I had changed a lot. And you went from being a 21 year old, not a man at all, to, you know, a man really, because you mid-20s, you are. You've sort of grown into yourself a bit. And. And it had changed. And that from those pictures were sent out and then I started getting a bit of work and yeah, it was. We then got booked. No, we, we can, we can try to. We. Tanley Anderson said, I'm going tonight to. I'm going to a dinner with Dolce and Gabbana. It's their birthday. You have to be there. How can we get you there? And she came up with this idea and she said, right, it's Mariano Vivenko who I literally spoke to this morning. He took my first ever headshots. He. He was at the party and he said, so I'm going to tell Mariana that we have airline tickets that you've got to come pick up because you're going away on a flight tomorrow. So. Coming. Make sure you go and say hello to Mendico and Stefano, Dolce and Gabbana. And I went in and I went, I mean, hi guys, so sorry to interrupt your party and I've got to pick up. And they said, David, no, no, stay, stay, stay, please. And I said, oh, thank you so much. And I stayed and I missed my train home and it was back to. I think I was living in Essex at the time because I had to. And. Yeah. And that's where the week after I got put on option for the campaign and then from the campaign led to doing light blue.

[Jamie Laing]

Explain light blue quickly for anyone who doesn't know what light blue is.

[David Gandy]

Light blue is the Dolce and Gabbana light blue fragrance, which I'm not doing anymore. I did it for 18 years. So it was a fragrance that was a women's fragrance. And then the men's Fragrance starts in 2006. And I was cast as the, the very sort of Italian looking guy to. To be the face of it.

[Jamie Laing]

You. The picture is iconic. It's you in very small. It's very small, Very, very small white Speedos looking incredibly tanned, ripped. I reckon they use some sort of oil on your body.

[David Gandy]

There was oil, definitely oil on that body.

[Jamie Laing]

And you're lying on a boat.

[David Gandy]

You know, you know the, the funny story behind. And I always tell this story. So that was in 2005, 2006. So we probably started. Me, I met them at that meeting I told you about in probably 2005. And it was in 2001. I just started. I went to go and do my first show season in Milan, which is hell. It's.

[Jamie Laing]

What's it like? I don't know what it's.

[David Gandy]

It's all for you. You literally have. You're either requested for these shows or it's a general casting. There are thousands of guys all going for the same job. They're trying to put a T shirt on you that the last 300 sweaty guys have tried on, which is soaking wet. It's. It's a, it's a farm. Just. It's awful. I did it once and went never again. And. But anyway, I got to watching Gabbana and I did the show and then the second time I didn't really go bad, but I went back for Dolce because Dolce said directly kind of booked me and I went for the casting. I went, I got it and I. But what Dolce do they Start they have the first show and what they do with every guy is almost give you a haircut where it's so Dolce because they like buzz. It's hard to explain. They buzz the side of your hair so that you're kind of Dolce for the rest of it. It's quite clever.

[Jamie Laing]

Oh, they do that, say, make you look Dolce so you can't go anywhere else.

[David Gandy]

Well, you do, but you're then Dolce. And that was. That was the theory behind why they used to do it, whether it was true or not.

[Jamie Laing]

But basically brand you like cattle.

[David Gandy]

They used to send you down to the barbershop down below the fitting. So I went for the fitting and at the time I was an option for a big Armani campaign and I had longer hair, slight longer hair. And they said, no, we like David's long hair. Make sure he keeps it. So I went down, I went, oh, no, you can't cut my hair because I'm. So they went, I'm going to speak to Domenico and Stefano. So I went upstairs again and went, domenico, Stefano. I went, I. I'm on option for something. I can't cut my hair. And you know that if I think about it now they're in the middle of like trying to fit 400 guys and, you know, they've got this major show and I'm sort of tapping on the shoulder going, so sorry, they're in a car. And they were like, David, yeah, either either cut your hair or you don't do the show. And I didn't cut it and I didn't do the show.

[Adam Grant]

No.

[David Gandy]

And I left and I didn't get the Giorgio Armani campaign as well. So that was. See, that was a. That was a decision made then.

[Jamie Laing]

Is that stubbornness or opportunity that you just Stupidity. Stupidity.

[David Gandy]

No. But maybe it wasn't. Maybe. Yeah. You know, listen, you take. You take the chance. But at that point it was, you know, he was a mani. Why you take the chance?

[Jamie Laing]

What is the. I have a couple of friends that you made. Is Sam Webb amazing? Sam Webb just. Yeah, just the best. And Cheshire and those guys. And I've heard stories about how amazing it was. Whether. Was it a pretty wild time as well back then?

[David Gandy]

There were some great times. Many I can talk about. There's a great time. I wasn't as wild, as loaded. They were.

[Jamie Laing]

They were wild.

[David Gandy]

You. You had, you know, at all. Well, I mean, before. Before there was a group of guys. Robert Konjic, Bill. Bill Gentle. Now you probably won't know any names These were the superstars from select and they were doing everything. And they were like the Rat Pack of the modeling industry. But again, you didn't. And I wasn't part of them. There was. And, you know, it was. I saw what they achieved, but I wanted more than that because I thought, actually I saw what they do. I said, why? Why is there a glass ceiling that you're not breaking through to be this? What? You're still not a name. And when I know those names in the industry, everyone will know them. That's why I thought about it slightly differently. But Webb. Yeah, Webby and Cheshire and everyone, they were. They were the youngest sort of Rat Pack.

[Jamie Laing]

And was there a lot of drinking?

[David Gandy]

Yeah, still is. Yeah, there was a lot of drinking. Ask Webby about the Victoria's Secret after party once. That's always a good story.

[Jamie Laing]

I've never experienced, like, so mad in my life. When I went out with friend of ours called Sam Webb and other people, and it was me and a group of models, and I was like, why is everyone just looking at us in this nightclub? I was like, what is going on? And then I suddenly realized it was mad the. Cause it feels like it was that sort of. Maybe still now, but that sort of time just felt like it would. There was a different. There was an energy and putting a lot of beautiful people into a space with alcohol and whatever. That feels like a wild party.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, I was. I wasn't. I was never one of the party line. I honestly probably never was. I had some incredible moments. I remember.

[Jamie Laing]

Did you ever find yourself in a situation where you're like, this is mad that I'm here with this person and that person?

[David Gandy]

I set their adult and Gabbana party with Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Lopez. Who else? Just everyone. I mean, you're sitting there going, what am I doing here? This is just absolute madness. And then I remember the, like, a song coming on and I was like, Diana Ross. I was like, love this song. Literally, like, going over to, like, met him. I can love this song. Might go for a dance and everyone's rushing out. It was fucking Diana Ross. She was actually there singing the song. They brought Diana Ross in to sing the song.

[Jamie Laing]

Where did the love of tailoring come from?

[David Gandy]

I don't know. You would think in. In many ways that my love of tailoring. Design. Design, I include, like, architecture, cars, the whole thing would come from family history, anything like that, but it wasn't. My. My dad and grandfather came from very impoverished backgrounds. They. They didn't. They didn't have much at all until dad built his businesses up and went from there. But he didn't, you know, sort of fashion or style was not something majorly in our house. And neither was cars and neither was. And. But it was always just something ingrained into me. Like my mom would say, you just used to, you used to choose what you wanted to wear when you were a kid. And tailoring came about. But my dad had. I've still got the suit. He had a suit made in East London. Pinstripe wall suit. I've kept it because it was my first suit and I knew I loved that. And I couldn't wait to the day I kind of, you know, could wear that. And my grandfather and my father were always people who would show, you know, they shine their shoes. I still shine my shoes. I have a shine kit. And there's this thing ingrained into me that you don't keep buying shoes, your shoes will last forever. And you shine your shoes. And now my daughters, I, you know, sort of get my shine. They're like, we're going to shine shoes. It sounds really strange, but with them, they're kind of shining shoes together and it's kind of like an art. And, and you, you look after pieces and I've always been taught and. But my father, you know, if you looked at my, my grandfather, my father, they obviously didn't have much, but what they had and what they didn't like, you know, they would, they would always have a half Windsor tie. It wasn't really, you know, it was always impeccably, impeccably, you know, sort of created, it looked good, everything was fitting well. And even though there was pride in appearance. There was pride, I suppose, in appearance. Yeah. And in the traditions of tailoring, I suppose that kind of got instilled into me. And yeah, you know, it's. Tailoring is when no one was wearing tailoring. And I, when I started, I sort of remembered when I was watching as ambassador for Men's Fashion Week, and I just went, I'm going, I'm going full tailoring. Because no one's in it, no one's wearing tailoring. I feel like tailoring needs to come back.

[Jamie Laing]

But explain that to me. Someone who doesn't understand that, what do you mean, tailoring isn't in tailoring needs to come back. What does that mean, tailoring?

[David Gandy]

Because we were in a very sort of dressed down element of. So we're talking 15 years ago, and I just decided. And, you know, in my head, it was like this is the British fashion boards. I'm, you know, ambassador for it. I'm on the British Fashion Council. I need to be in a suit tie tailoring. And I worked with Tom Sweeney and, and, and, you know, lots of different brands to just for this day. And that's where kind of then tailoring started to build. And then, you know, Tom Sweeney had their real moment. I mean, they still are, but of the horseshoe waistcoat that kind of everyone was in. And that was their moment. Tom Sweeney, that, that launched them. But I've, you know, worked with, you know, sort of so Henry Paul Savile Row. You know, when people talk about. They'll talk about a tuxedo or a dinner suit. And Henry Paul invented the tin suit. It needs to be in midnight blue. Should never be black. A black is a tuxedo. So if someone shows me like a dinner suit, I'll be like, well, that's a tuxedo. And I'll say, no, no, it's a dinner. I said, no, no, that's. That's a tuxedo. You need to be in midnight blue. The British dancer is in midnight blue or the dinner jacket. And I have one of their original, you know, not original. They, they made it for me. And so I got to this love of tailoring and seeing and the love of Savile Row and this, this artistry that goes on in this incredible street in London. And I seem to then become unofficial ambassador for sort of Savile Row. But it's just. That is a true flex tradition of, you know, UK and everywhere in the world, every man. Where'd you want to. Where'd you want a suit made with several row anywhere in the world. And that's why I was, you know, several row has changed a lot. Thank goodness now because we got a lot of new brands and a lot of new names in there and tailors and female tailors and everything else. So it was, it was exciting. Sort of be part of that transition along and working with the brands.

[Jamie Laing]

So it's the traditional thing that you also love. Because I think, and I don't know you, but I'm. It feels like you're a lover of history. I was listening to an interview that you did and you said one of the only roles that you would love to play was Churchill's Bodyguard. It's so interesting that. Right. And so you obviously, maybe consciously or subconsciously, you're a huge lover of British history. Because if you. The traditional. The suit and Savile Row and shining your shoes, shining your shoes by the way, is one of the fundamental things I think people, that's why in the army, the reason why they shine the shoes is because if you do the small things right, the bigger things fall into place. It's a really good attitude to have in life and you feel like you have this sort of love of history and tradition.

[David Gandy]

Yeah, I do love history, John, and that's probably why I've always stuck to living in London. I've had my stints in America and New York, which I love as well, but I always loved coming back to London. I love walking around London. I've lived in London for 20 odd years and still I can walk past street, walk down the street I've never been to before. And there's a history behind it. There's. I live near Richmond park and I was talking to one of the rangers and there's this big gate in Richmond park if you walk up to the west northwest side that says the way because the way in the railings. And the ranger said to me, you know what that is? I said no. He said, well, you know, you have to see some Paul's Cathedral from there. It was, it was built to commemorate the 300 or 400 year.

[Jamie Laing]

Wow.

[David Gandy]

And I said from Richmond Park? And he said yeah. And I was like no, you can't see some boards cathedral. So of course that afternoon I've got to go and walk up there now. So I walked up there with the dog and it was. And I looked through and if you look the hedges that there's seven viewpoints I believe around London where you have to view St. Paul's Cathedral. So from Richmond park nothing can be built from your view there. I think it's seven miles all the way to St. Paul and those parts of history. I was like, I absolutely sort of adore things like that.

[Jamie Laing]

What era do you think you would like to be born in?

[David Gandy]

Probably the 50s.

[Jamie Laing]

Why?

[David Gandy]

They made some really good race cars in the 50s, Jamie.

[Jamie Laing]

Like what? Get them to be.

[David Gandy]

I'm a Jaguar man and we race in the, I think called the Mille Mle, which is a thousand mile historic race. You have to have a pre 1957 car and you race a thousand miles in three days and it's like going back to, you know, the, the year, I suppose. And it's when I'm happiest. Really. Really? Yeah, yeah. Racing. Why?

[Jamie Laing]

Give it to me. Explain why is that when you're the happiest?

[David Gandy]

I suppose it's the freedom of the driving. You're not concentrating on Anything else at that point. Like, cars are very different nowadays. This is a car with, you know, disc brakes. It's. It's from, you know, it could be 65 years of age. And you are racing this car on public road. Not racing. I should never call it a race. It's a rally, okay? We're partying down in Italian roads. There's nothing else to think about at that moment apart from you and that machine and driving and getting the most out of that machine. Nothing is taken out of your focus. There's, you know, there's no time. There's not your phone or any. You can't hear anything. You know, there's no one talking to you. There was tied the first ever race I did, I did with Yasmin Le Bon. And there was a time we were driving through, hurting through, through Tuscany in a 57 XK120.

[Jamie Laing]

That's a good image.

[David Gandy]

And Yasmine, Yasmine Le Bon was feeding me, hand feeding me, Haribo into my mouth. And at that point I thought, it doesn't really get better than this, does it? Like, how. How do you top this? Like, if it ended now, like, you'd be. You'd probably be quite a happy man.

[Jamie Laing]

This is all right.

[David Gandy]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

David, this is everything and more that I wanted, man. I really appreciate it, like, honestly, from being an absolute pleasure and. Yeah, it's been amazing to just, like, I think there's something so mysterious about the world that you lived and what you're doing now, and to sort of be open about it is just amazing. We end our conversation with eight quick fire questions. Okay, Are you ready for this?

[David Gandy]

Yeah. Go.

[Jamie Laing]

A saying, a phrase that makes you smile or cheers you up.

[David Gandy]

Never argue with stupid people. They will. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

[Jamie Laing]

Unbelievable. That's right.

[David Gandy]

That.

[Jamie Laing]

That's unbelievable. Best compliment anyone's ever given you.

[David Gandy]

You're a good dad.

[Jamie Laing]

Last time you cried.

[David Gandy]

And why every time Rachel Reeves open his mouth.

[Jamie Laing]

What scares you most about yourself?

[David Gandy]

My determination.

[Jamie Laing]

What's something you can't let go of?

[David Gandy]

Chris Norman once T boned me in a carting race when I was about 18. Just so I came from the back of the field when I was in first and see me just so I didn't win. Can't let go. That one go. I'm afraid he even says to me, you can't let that go, can you? I bring up every time I'm like that, can't. I want to go. Sorry.

[Jamie Laing]

Guilty pleasure. What is it?

[David Gandy]

My lawn. It's my new. It's my new love Jamie. My lawn and my. And my lawnmower.

[Jamie Laing]

Are you serious?

[David Gandy]

Yeah. Once you're a dad, get a lawn.

[Jamie Laing]

The smell of cut grass. Oh man.

[David Gandy]

You'll get into it, you understand it in about six years time.

[Jamie Laing]

I can't wait. What turns you off?

[David Gandy]

Turns me off? Oh goodness me. There's quite a few things. God. Supposed to be quick fire. I can't stand noisy eating like literally I have that I think what it's called when you've got. There's actually there's like a syndrome or something yet I can't stand it.

[Jamie Laing]

What turns you on?

[David Gandy]

Death. My partner.

[Jamie Laing]

Great answer, great answer. Well done.

[David Gandy]

I better get laid for.

[Jamie Laing]

There you go. Yeah, well done. What do you like most about yourself?

[David Gandy]

Oh God, I don't think you could.

[Jamie Laing]

Come on, it can be anything. Personality can be anything. Anything at all.

[David Gandy]

I think I'm a good dad. I think I've. I've fallen into something that I actually feel like I'm naturally good at. And I hope that's true and I will turns out but I actually feel like I'm quite proud of that.

[Jamie Laing]

And bonus one for me. Best person you ever done a shoot with.

[David Gandy]

Model. It was Chrissy. It was Chrissy turning to him.

[Jamie Laing]

Really?

[David Gandy]

You've never seen anything like I've never seen. I've never. I'm not really starstruck but I. But I couldn't stop staring at her. You understand why Supermodels, supermodels, they are almost superhuman really. And she was just the loveliest person and yeah she was still to the station and that's, that's. Although I probably when it wasn't the shoot I saw Michelle Pfeiffer in the street in, in New York once and that was just. I, I, I think I was just there for five minutes and when she was like we were at the lights and we were crossing a road and she turned literally looked at me and I just looked at her. I was like my God, it's Michelle Pfeiffer. And she carried on and I was just still looking and so I just wandered Haven. I went oh my God, it was Michelle Piper. Oh Michelle 5.

[Jamie Laing]

What happened to that Victoria secret body? We'll leave it there. Thank you so much.

[David Gandy]

Thank you.

[Jamie Laing]

Matt. What? Just a good looking guy.

[Jemima]

Very good looking man.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you feel intimidated at the beginning? I was intimidated.

[Jemima]

Nice guy.

[Jamie Laing]

Nice guy. Interesting guy. Great guy. Great stories, great kind of insight into just everything and quite deep in lots of ways. I really, really enjoyed it.

[Jemima]

I enjoy that too.

[Jamie Laing]

We hope you liked it as well. Remember, please get in touch at Great Company podcast on Instagram. You can slide down dms or you can send us an email greatcompanyproductions.co.uk and of course we'll be back. See you next week for another episode of Great Company.

[David Gandy]

From real world inspiration to the Industrial Metaverse to total immersion Innovate at the speed of software within the Industrial Metaverse. Transform the everyday With Siemens, there's nothing.

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