Seize the David!

David's been everywhere lately...except on my blog. I do take my responsibility seriously and realize I've been slack lately. Plus it was my New Year's resolution... More David!

He's been busy - advancing British men's fashion, acting as an ambassador for Battersea Dog and Cats Home, remodeling a new home, traveling the world and looking good with a glass of amber and wearing a suit better than any man on the planet. It's all in a day's work and all womankind appreciates his devotion to making us happy.

But let's face it - we all love David the model. And there are certain campaigns that are the best of the best.

Here are some of my favorites.

Massimo Dutti Equestrian:

M/D's Equestrian Collection was a F/W 2013 shoot, by Hunter and Gatti. I think I like the outdoorsy look best especially when it includes animals. Okay, it comes in second to the suits! Always the suits...





Here's the link to HG advertising:
http://hunterandgatti.com/photo/advertising/


Man of the World:

I don't think David has looked more rugged and unmodel-like than in this campaign. The pics show maturity and seriousness, not just a pretty boy. It reflects a man of accomplishment but also a man ready to conquer the rest of the world. And he will...



Here's the link to the MOtW article:
http://www.manoftheworld.com/article/new-frontier

Here's the link to photographer John Balsom and additional pictures of the MOtW shoot: http://johnbalsom.com/indexhibit/index.php?/man-of-the-world--david-gandy/


DV Man's A Fistful of Dollars:

Way back in 2009, David did a shoot for DV Man, photographed by Tobias Lundkvist. The campaign features more of down and dirty David, embracing the life of a cowboy. The first shot is probably one of my ALL time favorites of David.



Here's the link to the DV Man campaign:
http://models.com/Work/dv-man-a-fistful-of-dollars

Dolce and Gabanna Light Blue:

This is a three-for-one. All of these campaigns are excellent, but I agree with David, this campaign needs to tell the next part of the story. You know, where the couple is walking along the shoreline, pushing a pram...

Dolce and Gabanna 2008 Pre-fall.

There is nothing soft about David in this campaign. He is all man - serious, determined and mysterious. Gah, he is so hot here! I think this might be why his name has been brought up when James Bond was recasting.

Glamour Spain:

I asked my friend Shika Brown, also a huge DJG fan, which campaigns were her favorites and she suggested this next campaign: David in the kitchen.



Other photographs by Sergi Pons for this campaign:
http://sergiponsphoto.com/project?c=men&p=5

Tomorrow, I'll have some new favorites. Seriously, has he ever done anything that isn't perfection? So what are your favorites? Follow along for more David commentary from time to time!

Beau Brummell of the 21st Century: David Gandy

The year 1795 – the first year of the Regency period in England was also the year George ‘Beau’ Brummell held the position of Lieutenant in the Prince of Wales' personal regiment. While in the regiment, he was called “the first gentleman of England.” Theirs was to be a unique friendship that lasted many years until an unfortunate incident - a single question doomed their relationship.

The Regency was a wonderful time and Beau Brummell was instrumental in transforming men’s fashions from the fussy, feminine time of the Georgian era. Wigs, heeled shoes, rouge and lace were set aside for a new look, one attributed to Beau’s sense of the impeccable. He modernized men’s suits and ties. He took great pride in his clothing, his dressing room often full of ton elites, including the Prince himself. These sessions often lasted up to five hours.

He was also noted for his particular rituals, including daily bathing, shaving and teeth cleaning.

But it was attention to dress that drew the most praise and admiration.

“Brummell put into practice the principles of harmony of shape and contrast of colors with such a pleasing result that men of superior rank sought his professional opinion on their dress.”

Brummell is number two on Esquire’s All Time Best Dressed List.

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/best-dressed-men-list#slide-1

So has anyone else noticed we have a modern day Beau Brummell amongst us?

His name is David Gandy, possibly the world’s best-paid male model, certainly the best looking, most well dressed man in the world. He is routinely identified as one of the best dressed by Vogue and GQ. His fans rally around him, trouncing other famous faces and celebrities when it comes to voting for him in any number of popularity contests.
                                                                  ©John Ryder

The comparisons are easy to make.

While David is best known for his intense blue gaze, his dark, chiseled features and perfectly portioned body, it is his contribution to fashion that, I think, will be his lasting legacy.

David entered the fashion world in a time when male models were “skinny and androgynous,” such were the Dior and other models of the 90’s. Dare I say it, feminine? Sounds like the pre-Brummell Georgian era, doesn't it? David entered that world with more muscle than was popular with design fashion houses. He has continued to flex those muscles in any number of endeavors.

He is a tireless promoter of British fashion and has developed in his own fashion app to help the average man outfit himself with tasteful dress and accessories and without breaking a budget. Such an app nearly allows one to step into Gandy’s bedroom to watch his particular harmony of dress, though I would accept a personal invitation should it be extended.

http://davidgandystyleguide.com/about.html

 

The suit was Brummell’s trademark, such as it is with Gandy. David wears a suit as if it were a second skin. He espouses tailoring, preferring the bespoke over the mass produced.
 

©Lucky Brand shoot
 

And like Brummell, Gandy is versatile, his style sense appealing to mechanics with his Lucky Brand jeans and t-shirts and to businessmen with his Thom Sweeney suits. And just as Brummell wore a gold buckle on his cravat while at Eton, Gandy is all about accessories to add the final touches to complement the perfect outfit.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/david-gandy/2012/11/my-favourite-winter-pieces

 

But as with every road, eventually there is divergence. While Brummell died penniless and insane, Gandy seems to have a much better head on his shoulders. He is certainly popular with women but he has the added drive and focus to keep Gandy, Inc. prospering for years to come.

Finally, David has made fashion relatable – he has cred and steeze. One can believe what David says. For years, fashion has been about artsy pretension. David makes one want to peer inside, to be part of the world reserved for the elite. And he does this to Brummell perfection. Gandy is the "First Gentleman of the 21st Century."