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Q & A on Twitter with David Gandy (Gandy For Autograph)

October 20, 2014, 7:43 am
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Q&A on Twitter: Model David Gandy answered fan questions on a live Twitter Q&A with Marks & Spencer on Septemeber 18th as a part of the launch of his debut underwear range for Marks & Spencer in London: Gandy For Autograph

 



 
1- Stef : Do you prefer vintage cars or modern cars?
David Gandy: I've just restored my first vintage car and plan to do more, if that answers your question. 

2- Rosane Maximiano:  What is your fave place to go to vacations?
David Gandy: I love travelling... Next on my list of places to go has to be somewhere in Africa!

3- ✨MBMs Bambi✨: What's the one thing you can't possibly live without? XxxX
David Gandy: If I can be cheeky I'd have to say oxygen! 

4- Great White Shirt: If you weren't a model, what would you be?
David Gandy: I have no idea, I prefer to focus on what I'm doing now and do it great!

5- Tal: What is your favorite thing about modeling?
David Gandy: The diversity of it all... Every day is completely different!  

6- Appletofu: What was your fave subject in school?
David Gandy: My favourite subject in school was geography. 

7- Franca Poli: What stage of the design was more difficult?
David Gandy: Finding the right fit for different body shapes.

8- MEG4NJ4YNE♥: I'm a dog lover too, whats your favourite breed of dog ?xx
David Gandy: Since working with @BDCH I couldn't pick just one..! What's your favourite breed?

9- N_nicoleta: Who was your role model as a child an how did that help in being a model?
David Gandy: My role models are the men of my family.

10- Artemis: Do you have a life motto? Thank you!
David Gandy: I don't believe in luck just a well prepared person who is waiting for an opportunity.

11- David Gandy Info: What is the item you love the most in your closet?
David Gandy: It's a vintage Omega Watch that I bought when I first got a big pay cheque. A great way to remember!

12- Isabella Bradley: The oddest thing that's happened to you?
David Gandy: The launch of my own underwear range is pretty surreal.

13- Isabella Bradley: Do you have any nicknames?
David Gandy: I get DG a lot.

14- Julia: Where were you born and raised? what is your heght?
David Gandy: I was born and raised in Essex and I'm 6ft 3.

15- N_nicoleta: What's your favourite designer ?
David Gandy: I'd say D&G.

16- Lisa Bolton: What do you enjoy doing in your down time?
David Gandy: It's my pleasure. I like driving and racing cars.

17- Great White Shirt: What's your no.1 grooming tip?
David Gandy: Find a good hairdresser!

18- David Gandy Russia: What helps you to make a difficult decision?
David Gandy: Time to think about it. Never rush into anything

19- From David Gandy to William Oliver: I plan to take some time off and potentially go skiing, I've not been in a while... How about you?

20- Jeanette: what's your favorite music to relax/jam to?
David Gandy: Old school classics like Tony Bennett.

21- John Williamson: Favourite car of choice at the moment...
David Gandy: I can't wait for the new Mercedes AMG GT.

22- David Gandy Russia: You said that you keep your plane tickets and one day you might plaster your bathroom with them. Have you done it already?
David Gandy: I haven't travelled enough yet... One day I'll get around to it!

23- Gina Colangelo: What's next on the design line with M&S?
David Gandy: The cashmere range is coming soon. After that there'll be a Spring/Summer 2015 range.

24- Lucy Hilton: when are you doing your next meet and greet
David Gandy: My next meet and greet is tomorrow in Dublin at M&S Grafton Street.

25- Taylor: How much has your marketing degree shaped how you go about your career?
David Gandy: To be honest I've learnt more through being in the industry.

26- Jayna Kawa: Who is your style icon?
David Gandy: Old Hollywood stars are my style icons. Carey Grant and Paul Newman

27- Adam Reilly: What did you think of Ben Kingsley's portrayal of you in the film about your life?
David Gandy: I think he prefers to be known as Sir Ben Kingsley

28- Julia: Would u like to create the womens underwear as famous couturiers did? Whos ur favourite couturier?
David Gandy: I'll leave the lingerie to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, she's doing a great job! 

29- Tasleem: David Gandy is recognised name and brand around the world, when will you consider writing your biography?
David Gandy: A autobiography... Maybe in the future, but at the moment I'm busy doing this... Watch this space!

30- Tasleem: Any future plans to do any presenting on TV or film acting?
David Gandy: I'm often asked about future projects. Underwear is keeping me extremely busy for now!

31- Lisa S: Will you be doing a 2015 calendar? I need it to help me through at work :)
David Gandy: They rib me, you know what mates are like...

32- Ishanie M: Is there anywhere in the world you have yet to, and would love to, visit?
David Gandy: I haven't been to New Zealand yet. I'd love to go

33- Tahira Iqbal: What should women know about the range?as sometimes they are making the purchase for their other half!
David Gandy: Women should know they can also wear the range. Women in men's underwear is extremely sexy!

34- Amby: What's your Biggest Inspiration xx
David Gandy: My family are my inspiration. And my grandfather, who was a true gentleman.

35- Sonia_rio: You do a great job with you charity work, do you intend to get involved with other charities in the future?
David Gandy: I do have a few charity projects in the pipeline. I'm discussing future collaborations yes.

36- Allyson Clayton: David, the people you love aside, what is the thing (or place) that moves you most in this world?
David Gandy: The thing that moves me the most is my work with Battersea Dogs Home! 

37- Jess: And... What are your 3 most important rules for a healthy lifestyle, and what's your guilty treat?
David Gandy: Stay away from saturated fat, eat organic and exercise!

38- Kima Segun-Ojo:  Boxers or briefs?
David Gandy: I'd have to say neither Kima, I prefer a hipster!

39- From David Gandy to Marisa González: My favourite piece is the houndstooth pyjama bottom

40- From David Gandy to i.am.cann: It was about 8 monthes and yes I helped design the packaging too...

41- From David Gandy to DreamySim1: Someone who is good fun, has a sense of humour and is different from the norm!

42- *Nadia*: What was your favorite part of the process and why?
David Gandy: Thanks for the question, for me it's learning the process of creating an underwear range right through to seeing it in store!

43-Jess: What's the most important part of a good outfit, and what do you change into after a long day?
David Gandy: A pair of men's shoes can make or break an oufit. I change into a pair of jogging trousers at the end of the day

44- From David Gandy to William Oliver: We're already working the next collection for spring...

Source:  M&S Twitter
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David Gandy for M&S F/W 2014 Campaign (Pictures Update)

October 23, 2014, 7:53 am
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Beyond the staples in a mans wardrobe of navy, grey and crisp white tailored shirts, arrive the signs of Fall/Winter. Garnet, mustard, and layers of fine wool and cashmere invite the earth to a settling in for a winters' nap. Wrapping up in the fine tailoring of Marks & Spencer, David Gandy brings this collection together here with classic suits and warm hues.





 

 






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David Gandy covers FHM Collections China 2014 F/W Issue

October 27, 2014, 5:41 am
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David Gandy appears on the cover story of the latest edition of FHM Collections China. The international photographer Jumbo Tsui suits up with stylist Justine Josephs to catch the intensity and poise showed by the international male model in the photo shoot wearing  a selection from the latest Burberry Prorsum Men Collection to go along with the cover story 'The Timeless Man.'

Jumbo Tsui (Photographer)
Justine Josephs (Fashion Editor/Stylist)
Oliver De Almeida (Hair Stylist)
Akgun Manisali (Makeup Artist)
Aaro Murphy (Set Designer)






Source: Models.com
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David Gandy: "My M&S Collaboration"

October 28, 2014, 1:36 pm
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"Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore, and you sleep alone!"
Anthony Burgess.
 

 By David Gandy

There was even less sleep than usual over the last few weeks and that wasn't just during the eight days of travel to four different countries for the worldwide launch of my underwear collection with Marks & Spencer - David Gandy for Autograph. To be honest, the long haul flight for the Hong Kong leg was a blessing and the most sleep I've had in quite a while! Maybe it was because of the slight feeling of relief that the London and Dublin signings had gone well - or was it because of the delicious Gavi di Gavi that BA kept topping up my glass with? Either way, everything soon got back to normal on the return flight to Paris, as everyone was tucked up fast asleep whilst I sat with my little light on catching up on the latest series of Mad Men, whilst replying to the mountains of emails that had come through during our travels.

My broken sleep started two weeks prior to the launch. Launching the collection is the beginning of many firsts for me. It's the first time that I've collaborated with a brand on a clothing line, my first foray into the designing world and the first time that I have put my name to a collection. It's one of the largest projects that I've taken on in my career and although I've been hugely excited and honoured, a project of this size naturally brings with it a little apprehension.

There was some scepticism about exactly how much input I'd had into the collection which is understandable as there are a lot of celebrity collaborations these days and each person has a different level of involvement. But those people who know me well will know I wouldn't ever put my name to something that I wasn't fully involved in, in every single part of the process. I've probably driven the designers and the brand crazy with wanting to be so involved, but thankfully they have been so wonderful to work with and very open to a full collaboration, so it's been a great relationship that we've all enjoyed. 

The design ideas behind the underwear developed from a vintage pair of hipsters that I had many years ago and loved. Even though I stopped wearing them, I kept them safe knowing that if ever the day came when I designed my own underwear line, elements of these would be at the heart of the initial inspirations - classic but sexy, comfortable with discreet branding, and made from soft premium materials. And there it began. I wanted the underwear to appeal to all ages and to all demographics, so the collection would include everything from traditional briefs and woven cotton boxer shorts, to the most popular trunks and my personal favourites - the hipsters. The fit and comfort was one of the most important factors to me… I wanted them to feel like a second skin, almost like you aren't aware that you're wearing any. Even up to a couple of weeks before the launch I was still making improvements with the team and had friends, family and virtually every man at M&S testing them until we were satisfied that they were just as we'd planned.

This was only a small part of the process. I wanted the traditional houndstooth pattern to be a subtle but distinctive element of the collection, from the linings of the pockets and flies, to the waistbands of the underwear and even down to the packaging and campaign imagery. From there we worked on the neck lines of the T shirts and cut of the lounge pants and cuffed jogging bottoms. There was even one whole morning dedicated to the colour and width of the drawstring on the lounge and sleepwear. Come to think of it, I'm surprised the design team are still talking to me.

What everyone has commented on is the coverage that the campaign received, driven by the months of scrupulous planning by the PR and marketing team. I can safely say that I wasn't the only person with sleepless nights! Four fully covered buses, 300 bus advertisements, 700 bus stop advertisements, international magazine covers, various features, product placement, television and radio appearances, and plenty of online activity too. We have had a huge amount of support, all of which I'm very grateful for.

The biggest and most welcome surprise though was the hundreds of people that so kindly came and supported me on the launch days in London, Dublin, Hong Kong and Paris. It was quite overwhelming that so many people were there and that so many had travelled vast distances to come and meet me. I would love to say thank you to everyone that has supported me during this whole process. From the people wishing me luck before the launch, to the many people who have ordered and bought some of the collection and kindly told me how much they love the items and to everyone who came and supported me on the launch days - it was so lovely to put so many faces to names that I have only known through social media. And big thanks to the team who have facilitated and worked hard to create the collection and whose input has brought the project to life.

To see the dressing gown and cuffed lounge pants sold out on the first day was a really proud moment. I always had faith in the range and I knew that we were using some of the most premium cottons available, that the fit was good, and that the campaign shot by Marianno Vivanco was some of the best work we've done together, but it wasn't until I saw the empty racks of the range on that first day at Marble Arch Marks & Spencer that I could truly believe that the day we'd all worked so hard towards was actually happening.

So, what now? Well, believe it or not I'm already working with the designers of M&S to create the spring and summer editions which I'm really enjoying. Let's hope that the designers will say the same! After that, I'm taking a holiday… my first in two years. I've incorporated a shoot into it so there will be some work involved, but I'm very much looking forward to it all the same.

By British Vogue

And future projects? Well there are various activities in the pipeline which is exciting. But I had a thought the other day - wouldn't it be nice to break a world record?

Something to do with speed would be fun, but that's as far as I've got. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks again for your ongoing support, it's much appreciated.

Source: Vogue Today

Related Content: (DjG Video) Highlights of 2014 'Gandy for Autograph' Worldwide Tour 
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Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Collars & Coats Gala Ball 2014

October 31, 2014, 4:18 am
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David Gandy attended the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Collars and Coats Gala 2014 held at Battersea Evolution in London last night (Oct 30, 2014).

The annual charity spectacular that is the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Collars & Coats Gala Ball once again wowed as a host of big-star names from the world of film, TV, music, and fashion took to the glittering red carpet to show their support to the world-famous rescue. Hosted by Battersea Ambassadors Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady MBE, supermodel David Gandy and Dame Jacqueline Wilson OBE and also in attendance such renowned names as Lady Patsy Puttnum, Jake Humphrey, Craig Revel-Horwood, Amanda Burton, Arlene Phillips, Laura Whitmore and Rosie Marcel. 

The Collars & Coats Gala Ball, now in its sixth year, has become a highlight of the autumn social calendar, and is consistently regarded as one of the most innovative and eagerly anticipated charity events. This year’s stellar star line-up saw much-loved entertainers, acting greats, and global fashion icons treading the red carpet, which boasts the world-unique Battersea ‘Doggie Guard of Honour’ comprising many of the Home’s 400 rescued canine residents.




This year’s event was particularly poignant as celebrities gathered to remember the enormous sacrifice, tenacity and loyalty of the brave service dogs during World War One. To commemorate the centenary of WW1, Battersea service dogs, former residents who have gone on to working roles with the police, Army, RAF, and Border Force took part in dramatic battlefield re-enactments showing how Battersea dogs have served their country from 1914 right up to the present day.

David Gandy with Amanda Holden

The Collars & Coats Gala Ball also gave its high profile guests and celebrities the opportunity to partake in an exclusive auction which featured an array of money can’t buy experiences. 

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Spanish GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2014

November 4, 2014, 12:45 pm
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Madrid dressed up last night for the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2014 which was at the same time the celebration of  the 20th anniversary of GQ magazine in Spain. A night dedicated to the recognition of male achievements in the worlds of sport, style and philanthropy.

The handsome model attended to receive the GQ Men of The Year Awards - Best Male Model and caught the eye as he made his way into Madrid’s Palace Hotel wearing a dapper tuxedo with a blue and black satin dinner jacket by Duchamp London, bow tie and derby shoes that fill up with glamorous 'black' carpet photocall.

Known as the international face of Dolce & Gabbana, he shares the stage with well known faces of fim, TV or sports who have shown an important work during the 2014 like Jonathan W. Anderson, Jeremy Hackett, El Greco Foundation, Elisa Sednaoui, Greenpeace, Pablo Motos, José Coronado, Emilio Martínez-Lázaro, Carles Puyol and Carlos Fernández.

Among the VIP attendees were Malena Costa, Aridne Artiles, Silvia Abascal, Alex Dellal. Ana Polvorosa, Manuela Velasco, Adrián Lastra, Ana Fernánde, Helen Svedin, Celestino García or Juan Betancourt and, the event was hosted by Manuela Velasco.





Guests were interviewed by Rodrigo Tarragona during the party 
(Video - Click on the picture to play)
Source: Vogue.es, RevistaGQ.com, Corbisimages.com, Zimbio.com, Dailymail.co.uk
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David Gandy talks with ASEDAI during the Spanish GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2014

November 5, 2014, 3:09 am
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He is one of the most wanted men of the moment and one of the most sought after international male models in the world. Brands like Zara, Gant USA, Hugo Boss, Russell & Bromley, H & M, Carolina Herrera, Massimo Dutti and, of course, Dolce & Gabbana know this and they have had the pleasure to work with him for different campaigns. Today, David Gandy has visited Spain again to receive, in this case, the GQ Best Model Award at the 20th anniversary of GQ Magazine’s party, held at the Westin Palace in Madrid where he has granted us this interview.



Question: What did you chose to wear for such a time like this?
Answer: I wanted to wear something new for these Spanish Awards so I chose a suit that fits the occasion. The most important thing is to wear a good suit. My favorites are the three-piece suits. Moreover, I always wear underwear my own brand.

Q: How do you feel most comfortable in jeans or with a suit?
A: It is a bit strange, I like the 'casual look'. When I have a day off, I usually wear jeans, a T-shirt or a sweater. But in events like this or when I am working, I prefer to wear a suit. Wear a suit is a defense against the outside world and it gives me great confidence. I wear wool suits in winter and linen suits in summer and besides, they are always bespoke suits.

Q : Do you like Spain? When did you come here for the first time?
A: About 10 or 11 years ago. My brother-in-law is Spanish, so my nephews are living in Southern Spain with my sister and I come to visit them whenever I can. I love its excellent climate. I love this country. I've been to Barcelona, ​​where I have great friends, and I love Madrid. But I prefer the climate of the south. Anyway, when I come normally it is for work, so I have little time to enjoy the country. Certainly, not as much as I would like.

Q: Which is the best prize you have won in your career?
A: I have never won any award in my own Country, they have always been internationals. Probably this would be the best.

Q: Which is your Spanish fashion designer par excellence?
A. I don’t know much about Spanish fashion to give you a specific name, but anyway now I design my own line of underwear working with 'Marks & Spencer'. So I hope to continue to do so, working with myself and not for anyone (laughs).

Q: What do you think about the Cristiano Ronaldo’s underwear range?
A: It is very different from mine. His is very vibrant and colorful and the brand stands out. Mine is much more discreet, subtle and with very high quality.

Q: Which will be your next move? Have you considered being an actor?
A: I've had many offers to act but nothing that really attracted to me to carry it out. They were roles or characters very obvious that didn´t call my attention. Moreover, I write journals, and I have developed an application for mobile fitness. I also help three or four charities and I have my own, called 'Blue Steel Appeal'.

Q: But you don’t give up your role as a model, is it true that you turned down the role of the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey' as has been said in some media?
A: I have never considered myself as a model. Moreover, in the field of interpretation, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' has a very strong script, but the idea of ​​playing the character of Christian Grey didn’t attract me.

Q: You have rejected one of the most desired roles in the world of film right now, and one that have been offered only to handsome men, what do you do to keep you so fit?
A: I go to the gym at least an hour but I can’t always because of my work ... Now I should be doing weights! (Laughs), but I try to go an hour each day. Staying fit is tricky if you are not consistent.

Q: Do you eat anything you want?
A: Absolutely.

Q: What do you think when people say that you're the most handsome man in the world?
A: There are many handsome men in the world. There isn’t any male model that I love so I can’t say anyone, but I don’t consider myself the most handsome in the world.

Q: What style do you prefer? ¿Letizia Ortiz or Kate Middleton?
A: These are two very elegant styles and I support both. Personally, I like the style of Queen Letizia.

Source: ASEDAI
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David Gandy covers Fashion London Magazine (Nov/Dec 2014)

November 9, 2014, 8:56 am
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Adorned immaculately in a checked Saville Row suit accompanied by his favoured fragrance Dolce by Dolce and Gabbana (naturally), 34-year-old model David Gandy met with Fashion London at London’s Mayfair Hotel to discuss getting his break, his now iconic Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue campaign – remember those white pants?! – and his latest foray into the fashion industry: his own line of men’s underwear. 

Gandy’s rise from would-be veterinary surgeon to the face of Dolce & Gabbana and beyond has been an astonishing one, encompassing driving Porsches and Jaguars, spending time abroad boats in Capri and racking up a net worth of reportedly £10 million. Not bad for a career spanning just eight years since he got his first big break. Now showcasing his own line of clothing with iconic British retailer Marks & Spencer, Gandy is relishing the more creative role he has garnered within the fashion industry. 

He, along with fellow model Rosie Huntington-Whitely are playing a key part in taking M&S in a new direction. “Gandy and Huntingdon-Whitely, think that has a nice ring to it” he laughed. “M&S has been fantastic to work with. It once had this old school image but everything is changing, the food, the logo, it’s nice to be a part of that. There’s a lovely buzz about M&S right now. It’s an exciting place to be. I really wanted to work with a British brand, which is actually quite hard because there aren’t that many. Especially high-street. Proper British,” he explains. 

“I thought it would be great to dip my toe first into styling, designing,” he continues. “This underwear and sleepwear line is 28 pieces so I had a very fast education! I had to learn so much. When it came to the design process, I had the final say, and it’s the first time that I’ve put my name to anything. I wanted my product to have a luxury feel, without the price tag; I had full control, from the quality to the stitching to the branding. I wanted it to be very subtle, understated, classic underwear that doesn’t say ‘Beckham’ or ‘Calvin Klein’ – I want to get away from that. I also don’t agree with paying £45 for underwear. I want that quality but I want you to pay £19, £20, for the best underwear, in the best packaging.”

Had it not been for a 21-year-old Gandy’s housemate secretly entering the then catalogue model into a competition on ITV’s This Morning, he may not have grabbed the attention of D&G. Entering the industry at a time when androgyny was all the rage, Gandy’s Adonis-like frame was striking and to a degree, risky. “If it’s all going right, then you go left. Why try and follow?” he said of this appearance. “I probably wouldn’t have got the Light Blue campaign if I looked like everyone else. They didn’t want a skinny guy, they wanted a masculine, Mediterranean-looking guy. I could say it was sheer brilliance on my part, but it wasn’t. You make your own luck.”

The Light Blue campaign, in which a hulking Gandy appears scantily clad on a yacht in Capri, was his breakout, and one that cemented his position as the face of D&G. It was a quick turnaround for the model: “There was no casting. I did the appared campaign with Steve Meisel for Dolce and then went to do the show in June. And then thy called up, and bearing in mind Dolce didn’t even know my name at this point, they wanted the guy who they think was called David, who was in the glasses for the Apparel shot, that’s who we want for Light Blue, that’s it. Cut to a week or two later and I’m on a boat with Mario Testino heading over to Crapri to go shoot it.

Despite having dated celebrities such as The Saturdays’ Mollie King, Gandy is shy, and admittedly very private in real-life. “I’m just a naturally quiet, under-the-radar person. I don’t tweet my dinner or let people know of my whereabouts. I don’t like being centre of attention and I hide how nervous I am. When I turn up to a red carpet, I still get butterflies. At the GQ Awards, I got nervous, lots of butterflies. Nine times out to ten, I want to say to the driver, “just keep going, I want to go home. “ Some people thrive on it. I think it was Cary Grant who said, “I wish I was that Cary Grant, because that’s the image you give out to other people.• But it’s not necessarily you. “Turns out, even the superhuman Gandy isn’t that different to the rest of us after all. 

So what’s next in the career of David Gandy: model, designer and luxury car aficionado? Not acting, according to the man himself. “There have been many offers. We were offered Fifty Shades of Grey, 300 2, Hercules, which a lot of people probably would have taken as actors, but I’m in the fortunate position where I like what I’m doing. I don’t feel the need to act. I know if you’re in a successful film, your status changes overnight. And I’m not saying I wouldn’t, I’ve read many parts that I’d love to play, things that I’ve chosen, not things that have been sent to me.”

“I’m always, always adapting, I’m never fully satisfied,” he insists. “You know what, sometimes I wish I would just enjoy the moment, and think, that’s great. But I’m always thinking. “Could I do another collaboration, could I work with another charity?” moving on and on and on. That’s what I thrive on personally. I’m in a business where I can do so many different things. I’m lucky. I want to break a record. I want to break the land speed record. There’s so much I want to do. My mind’s always racing…”

The international jet-setter does find time to relax occasionally. “When I’m at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, chilling out with the animals, or when I’m out driving, or when I’m with my family,” he says. “I haven’t had a holiday in a couple of years. Because stuff gets in the way, and opportunity comes that you can’t miss.“ With an enviable work ethic like that, Gandy’s meteoric rise becomes all the more explicable. 

David Gandy for Autograph is available in store and online now.

Source: Fashion London
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David Gandy talks with THE RAKE Magazine (October 2014)

November 10, 2014, 5:24 am
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The Gandyman Can

David Gandy talks with THE RAKE Magazine October issue proving that he is also a superlative role model for celebrity philanthropy by using his fame for all the right reasons.
 
Forget your serious mugs of Mr. Gandy as of late all over Asia and Europe. Take a moment to breath in the fresh wintry air of a genuine heart for dogs. David Gandy talks with The Rake about his vision for caring for animals.

While you wonder if he has cold hands with such a warm heart, read on to review his loyalty to charities, love of dogs and dedication to his London roots. 


Article by Rom Chamberlin.

In 1860, Mrs. Mary Tealby established The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs, in a disused stable yard in Holloway. The need in Victorian London for institutions such as this was absolute. Believe it or not, it wasn’t so long before this time that the admission price to London Zoo was a dog or cat to feed the animals, some of which were strays gathered up on the way there. Demand for sanctuary was such that, only 11 years after trading commenced, the whole setup had to be moved to the site that is now Battersea Dogs Home. In fact it’s been Battersea Dogs & Cats Home ever since they started admitting cats in 1883.

It quickly became an institution; Queen Victoria bestowed her Royal patronage – the first patron of any kind – on them in 1895 and Charles Dickens was an ardent supporter of the Home and publicized it repeatedly in his newspaper All the Year Round. The figures back then seem as industrial as you might expect from today’s battery farms. They got through 32 tons of biscuits and 420 gallons of milk per annum at the turn of the century, which seems incomprehensible at a time when workhouse children were rationed three bottles of beer a day as it was cleaner than water. Nevertheless, Britain’s love of domestic animals – especially man’s best friend – makes facts like these understandable, and it’s pleasing to think of gluttonous hounds waddling around on a hot day being shaded by the pillars of nearby Battersea Power Station.

The more one reads about Battersea Dogs Home, the more impressed one becomes of the scale of it in the sum of its parts, as well as its societal contributions. In 1918, dogs from Battersea were the very first batch of war dogs to ‘enlist’ in the War Dog School, an institution that trained dogs to become runners, sentries and munitions carriers over the course of the conflict. The home continues to supply dogs to the armed forces and emergency services today. Nowadays, some 300 staff and 1000 volunteers work there at any one time across three sites – 258 dog kennels at the Battersea London site, 171 at Old Windsor and 51 at Brands Hatch – who keep it ticking along on a day-to-day basis. Something such as this needs funding, and as many of you will know, coming up with new attractive ideas for the purpose of new sources of moolah is an increasingly problematic task.

It wasn’t until 2011 that the home saw the advantages in nominating ambassadors – recognizable faces who can bring attention to a larger audience through the usual means of television, social and print media. It didn’t take long for them to nominate their first ambassador, David Gandy. Rather aptly, they began work with him by doing a photoshoot (video). “Social media and everything went absolutely wild, everyone loved it,” he says. His creative juices have since flowed forth as he progressed in his new role.

Despite the fact that he has a Mark & Spencer line out now, he makes sure there is time set aside in an undoubtedly busy schedule to touch base: “There are weekly communications between us all. It’s really about coming up with new ideas at the end of the day, and bringing people in to help.” It’s a task he has proficiently succeeded in doing. “ I came up with the celebrity dog walk last year, selling myself, Mollie King, Daisy Love and Jeremy Irons,” he says. “We all offered ourselves up for auction on eBay for people to have a dog walk with me. A woman came over from the States to have a walk with me. ” She may felt the dog was third-wheeling the date, but nevertheless this idea of his was a massive success and is a testament to his genuine concern and the get-up-and-go attitude that he brings to the table.

You will have no trouble in believing that he is bona fide dog lover. “They are my love – I’ve grown up with dogs; I would have loved to have been a vet.” Alas, it was not to be and instead he’s had to settle for being the most successful male model of all time. In doing so, Gandy did what Rudolf Nureyev managed to do with ballet, which is to enter a lady-centric profession and lever that gender playing fields (on the flip side, it is what Martha Argerich did for pianists), a coup of irrefutable validity and worthy of serious congratulations.

Despite this, Mr. Gandy seems to have no interest in behaving like any good model should. With his looks, he has a God-given right to pick up a bad drug habit, feature heavily in gossip columns and lead a life of well-rounded tackiness, but not a bit of it. In fact, he has a charitable soul that was nurtured from a young age. “My mum, my dad and my grandparents were all very caring people,” he says. “I worked at a dog sanctuary when I was 15. One of my aims was always that when people got to know me a little but more, I would use it for charity. I think it’s a very important thing that if you’re in the public eye, you find charities and put your name and time towards [helping] them.”

The concept of fitting celebrity faces to charities in order to raise the profile of the cause is not entirely new. Historically, championing on lending your name to a charity was the fiefdom of the royal family. Princess Anne, currently known as the hardest working royal, is involved with over 200 charities. But the need for mysticism with the House of Windsor means that there is a gap for a more focused and available person of note to take on the task. So with the television becoming the ubiquitous household item during the 1980s, wiling ‘schlebs’ began to increase in tally, and have continued to till today. And in this world of Twitter, Instagram and, of course, the Mail Online ‘Sidebar of Shame’ things can go viral fast, especially if they’re about animals. “It’s amazing, really – you can put something on my social media, it’ll go to a quarter of a million people within half a day,” says Gandy, “but if it’s something on dogs, it’ll go to a million people within a few hours.”

Quick exposure can cause problems, though. The HBO uber-geek series Game of Thrones realised and enormous increase in the sale of Huskies to live in London (despite the fact that the ‘direwolves’ in the series are in fact Northem Inuits and not Huskies – just sayin’), and keeping Huskies in a city is extremely irresponsible. David’s opinion on the matter is straightforward. “Huskies are bred to run a hundred miles a day. They shouldn’t be in London, they shouldn’t be bred for London – they shouldn’t be in any city really.” When you have to add arrows to your quiver of reasons to remain famous, charity is a safe bet, which is when things become slightly cynical and tainted. Counter to the spirit of it all, there are people who will grin a bear it just to raise their profile. The impressive thing about Mr. Gandy, though, is the plain fact that he takes total initiative in how he deals with his charities, and doesn’t care twopence for how it makes him look – the celebrity dog walk being a clear example.

By chance, I was present at Emma Willis’ Christmas party for her Style for Soldiers charity – another noble endeavor which clothes the wounded soldiers back from the heather of war and gives them a source of dignity where there bad hitherto been none. He was only meant to drop in for 10 minutes – understandably, as it was Christmas, and he is a busy man – but he ended up staying the entire night and even helped clear up. “I almost want to invite everyone in the fashion industry,” he says. “It puts everything into perspective when you meet these guys who are double-amputees, or they have a face badly injured or one limb, but they don’t moan or want sympathy. They want opportunities.”

He seems particularly keen to help out on home soil, in that he is involved with major charitable endeavours that are linked to the fashion world in which he yields the most clout. He holds a place on the British Fashion Council, which runs the biannual London Collections: Men, a vital date in the diary for The Rake and men’s fashion. As well as that, he launched the Blue Steel Appeal, a foundation that raises money for Comic Relief through one-off events/experiences – with support from the likes of Victoria Beckham, Valentino and One Direction. The Zoolander allusion is a nod of irreverence to an industry often accused (sometimes correctly) of taking itself too seriously as well as a flexing of this entrepreneurial muscles. It raised £300.000 in its first few initiatives, and has adopted the same universal appeal that Gandy has promoted at Battersea Dogs Home.

“We don’t have these big dinners where the people who have the money buy very expensive tables and pay all their money to one-offs which they can pretty much get to anyway,” he says. “I wanted to give people an opportunity outside of the fashion industry. So that’s why we collaborated with eBay.” The problem there is, the amount raised will often not be as substantial as tapping the high-net-worth individuals, but the concept has a purity to it, which makes the deficit worthwhile. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge craze confirmed the way in which charity needs and wants to become all inclusive: “Build it and they will come,” as Kevin Costner would say.

Further to that, he was part of the ‘Oxglam’ team that ran the London Marathon in 2011 with gayness Deyn and Henry Holland. More recently, he did a campaign for the Philippine retail giant SM Prime Holdings and donated his fee to the victims of the devastating Typhoon Yolanda of last November that killed 6340 people. We can’t say exactly what the fee amounts to, but what we can say is that the money is going on to help build 11 homes and they plan to name a street after him. With a characteristic touch of humility and class, he has asked that it be named after his late grandmother instead.

David Gandy leads by example. It is hard to fault his record or commitment to what he puts his name to. It is inspirational to watch the way he puts his ingenuity into gear to come up with fresh ideas and initiatives. He is hard act to follow – and we at The Rake salute him for it – but since there are so many charities out there in need of a person to put their hand up, I think we must all try.

Order your copy of The Rake here.

Source: David Gandy's Official Facebook
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'David's Selections' Holiday Gift from London Sock Company

November 11, 2014, 10:53 am
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My Selection by David Gandy

Warm up the holidays with a wonderfully original gift idea. A winter casual sock trio along with his style tips signed by David himself.

The British Company 'London Sock', founded in 1913 and inspired by making style more accessible to the modern gentleman creating high quality socks, annouced las week the special and Limited Edition Holiday Gift 'My Selection by David Gandy'.

 David Gandy with London Socks Company during London Collections:Men S/S 2015
Pictures courtesy of MariaScard.com


 On this occasion, the British model has selected personally a set of three pairs with three styles:
  • New Limited Edition Winter Houndstooth offers a beautifully soft and comfortable, yet durable  sock for winter casual wear.
  • Our Simply Sartorial Skye Blue style provides the perfect accessory for professional style.
  • Spotted in Shoreditch completes this set, providing a classic style for any occasion.


The gift is available online at the London Sock's website

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Showbiz Ask & Tell: David Gandy (BACCARAT Hong Kong)

November 12, 2014, 9:05 am
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The reporter Kam Kwok-Leung, film producer and flamboyant man-about-town, gets cosy with visiting British supermodel David Gandy.


Kkl: When you were at school, which male celebrity did you think was the most attractive?
DG: Those from the old days who had a mind of their own, like Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Fred Astaire . . .
You are starring in Marks & Spencer campaign ads for your own men’s underwear collection. As a staunch supporter of classic styles, may I ask why you didn’t design nightwear like pyjamas as well?
I have done actually, but I don’t know if they are available in Hong Kong. I’ve designed some very elegant robes. Come to London and I’m sure you will love them.

As a model, you have worn countless fashionable clothes. Any special ones you would keep in your wardrobe?
Off the runway, I wear clothes that are practical. And they have to stand the test of time. Every piece in my wardrobe is essential.

When Lana Turner, the Hollywood sex goddess of the last century, was asked what item she would save from her home if a fire broke out she said red lipstick. As the male sex symbol of this century, what would be your answer to this question?
[Laughs] It’s very difficult to come up with a humorous answer. As a man, I’m very pragmatic so I’d head straight for my car keys.

Are there any songs, books or movies that have moved you to tears?
There are ones that can move you deep down. You lot [the press] always say I resemble Gregory Peck. I find To Kill a Mocking Bird very touching.

If you had a solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall, which song would you open with?
I like Tony Bennett’s songs very much, so I might sing Fly Me to the Moon first. I also like duets and recently he worked with . . .
. . . Lady Gaga! Have you thought of performing with her on stage?
That would be fantastic!

Your fans long to see you playing the role of James Bond.
Daniel Craig is the perfect modern James Bond. Nobody can surpass him.

If you have to pick a 007 remake to take part in now, which story would it be?
Casino Royale, it’s very romantic.

Can you remember the first Chinese food you ever had?
When I was young, my family would eat out on every Saturday night and we often went to Chinatown. So Chinese food reminds me of Saturday dinners.

What’s your favourite Chinese dish now?
I love steamed seafood. Where do you recommend I go to eat it in Hong Kong?

Come visit my home next time you are in Hong Kong. You must try my Canto-style steamed red garoupa. In the meantime, here’s a little present for you [a pair of Chinese baoding exercise balls].
That’s so kind of you. Is it an antique of some kind?

Oh, no, they are just for fun – to strengthen your wrist and hands. You can workout your fingers on your flight to Paris tonight. Bon voyage!

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The Macallan Masters of Photography: Mario Testino's Edition Launch Party

November 13, 2014, 4:09 am
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David Gandy attended The Macallan Masters of Photography: Mario Testino's UK Edition on Wednesday night at London's The Ritz hotel.

In this Edition, the international fashion photographer interprets The Six Pillars (Macallan's foundation stones) through the characterisation of six individual personalities in his distinct, inimitable and luxurious style.

Source: Whiskyintelligence.com
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Opening Of The New Thom Sweeney Store in London

November 14, 2014, 3:16 am
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David Gandy attended the opening of the new Thom Sweeney RTW & MTM Store on November 13, 2014 in London. The new 922sq ft unit at 33a Bruton Place in London's Mayfair is first ever ready-to-wear store of the London bespoke tailor company and it will offer the label’s mainline alongside a made-to-measure service.



 David Gandy with Luke Sweeney & Thom Whiddett (L) and with
Thom Whiddett, Luke Sweeney and Matt Smith (R)
 
  David Gandy with Louise Redknapp and Jamie Rednapp (L) and with Matt Smith (R)

Source: Fashionbeans.com, Getty Images
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A Look Back: San Remo Song Festival 2009

November 18, 2014, 1:00 pm
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Today we give you this look back at 2009. During one of the first amazing campaigns of Light Blue Perfume by Dolce & Gabbana, David Gandy attended the 59th annual Sanremo Music Festival as a guest presenter, held at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo (Imperia), Italy. 

Joined by Artistic Director, Paolo Bonolis, he presented singer, Luca Laurenti. Right before doing so, the gentlemen gain a lesson in favorite model expressions by David Gandy, one of the funniest moments of the show.


 



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British Fashion Awards 2014 (Picture Update)

December 1, 2014, 2:25 pm
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David Gandy attended the British Fashion Awards at the London Coliseum in London tonight. The British supermodel, looking impeccable wearing a dapper M&S tuxedo, walked the red carpet alongside big names of the fashion industry, stunning singers and actresses.

This annual ceremony is held by The British fashion Council and it recognises those who have made the most outstanding contributions to the fashion industry during this year.
 
David Gandy with Mollie King. Courtesy of Grazia Live's IG











 David Gandy with Natalie Massenet

 David Gandy with Patrick Grant & Hilary Alexander

 David Gandy with Patrick Grant, Oliver Cheshire & Robert Konjic

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Meeting David Gandy at the Launch of David Gandy for Autograph in Hong Kong

December 23, 2014, 3:30 am
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Meeting David Gandy at the Launch of David Gandy for Autograph in Hong Kong

September 24, 2014 

Mel and Naz, fan page administrators of David Gandy Fans Australia tell us all about their trip to Hong Kong for the launch of David Gandy for Autograph and meeting David for the very first time.

Like any other Gandy girl and guy out there, we had been planning (dreaming) about meeting David ever since we became fans. We were regularly chatting about where we’d see him and thought the only chance would be at an LC:M event. When the news of David’s launch of the Gandy for Autograph was released we thought this was our chance to not only see David, but also meet him and perhaps be lucky enough to have a picture taken with him. The closest destination from Australia was Hong Kong and we literally planned to go about a week before the launch date.

Arriving a couple of days before the launch we headed over to the M&S store. On arrival, we saw David gloriously displayed all over the display windows and of course the excitement of the launch started to kick in! We decided to see if David’s collection was already out on the shelves but alas, apart from his regular M&S clothes on sale, there were no Gandy for Autograph items on display. We scooted back home, tired but excited about the day that would dawn; the day we would finally be able to meet David himself.

Eager to be one of the first ones in line to see David, we got up early to get ready. We were both surprisingly calm at first but as the hour count down neared midday, calm gave way to jittery excitement. No one would have been able to wipe the smiles off our faces – that, we were sure off.

We arrived at the M&S store at opening time, wanting to be in at least with the chance of seeing David close up. We have never really been big fans of anyone like we've been of David and therefore, we hadn't been to anything like this before and didn't know how these things worked. Was there going to be a huge crowd? Do we line up? Will we get to talk to him? How long is he going to be there for? The questions we kept asking each other in circles only made us acutely aware that today we will be seeing David in flesh!


When the doors opened to the store, it seemed awfully quiet. There was a black wall with David Gandy for Autograph printed all over it and a small section of the floor space near the entrance was cleared. Where is everybody, we wondered? First though, we didn't want to miss out on getting David’s merchandises. We hurried down to the men’s section and lo and behold, all of David’s range was out on the shelves. We quickly browsed and picked our favourites, marvelling at how soft the material was and how comfy every single item looked. Suffice to say, we were very proud fans!


When we finally returned to the entrance of the store with our purchases, the life size cut-outs were out. The M&S crew were milling around getting last minute things organised and the local media were getting set up for the launch. While we were waiting, we met Adele Woods, Head of Brand Events and Regional Marketing of Marks & Spencer. When we mentioned that we run the DGFA page, she was quick to give us priority tickets. We were lucky enough to secure the 3rd and 4th positions to meet David. We were over the moon! Yes, we were finally going to meet him in person after gushing over him after such a long time! I think if you could have seen us then, you would have seen stars in our eyes. Lol!


Soon, the store was filled with many, many fans. Moments before the launch we were asked to line up in order of the number given and we eagerly made our way to the front. We were constantly checking the entrance to see when David was going to appear so we could start recording and take pictures.

Mel
I was completely nervcited (combination of being nervous and excited!), which is probably why Naz asked if I was OK! I think I was nervous about not being able to speak when I met David! A tall, incredibly handsome, suave man appeared across the road, standing out from the crowd and was heading towards the store. It was David James Gandy in the flesh! With him were Larry King, the media and a few people from M&S I believe. The group was striking, David & Larry stood head and shoulders above the rest of the crew in height. I stared and stared and stared some more. I think this phenomenon is described as the ‘Gandy phenomenon’. Haha…

There was lots of cheering and fan-girling as David walked into the store. I’m glad I recorded David’s entrance because I cannot remember much of what I said except for, “Oh my God, he’s so beautiful”. I have a video that I will play for a life time to remember that! David stood where the signing was going to take place and had photos taken by media. He appeared exactly how we’d see him in videos and pictures, incredibly charming, shy yet confident. And that smirk, oh yes, that smirk of his had us fans swooning!

Shortly after the welcome, it was time for David to meet with his fans and sign autographs. I was minutes away from meeting David! I was no. 3 in line so gave me a chance to see how David interacted with fans, which would possibly help calm my nerves.

It was finally my turn. I walked up to David who welcomed me warmly. I introduced myself and also threw in the “I’m one of the fan page admins of David Gandy Fans Australia”. He was delighted and thanked us for our support. While he was signing my Gandy for Autograph card, we had a quick chat about the launch saying that it had gone well so far. David mentioned the news about appearing on a breakfast show in Australia and wanted our support to promote this on our page. This was 'The Mornings', program that David appeared live on 1st October, 2014. David asked if I was in HK on holiday. He was surprised when I told him that we came to HK for the launch. He asked how long the flight was from Australia to HK. I asked him about coming to Australia and mentioned that he was invited to receive an award at the GQ Australia Men of the Year awards however he couldn't attend as he had to attend a friend’s wedding which he said was at the same time.  I've known David to be down to earth, modest and friendly and meeting him in person he was exactly that.

After the signing part was over, it was time to take a photo. I couldn't believe I asked David if I could give him a kiss on the cheek while taking a picture. His smile meant yes! There was a cheer from the crowd when I planted a kiss on David's cheek. In a panic Naz told me that my camera’s memory card was full! Adele, whom we had met earlier, told me not to worry, as she would take another photo and email it to me. So this basically meant I got to kiss David a second time around for another photo. And for the first time in my life, I was happy that my device had failed!


Naz
Seeing Mel meet David first somehow made me feel extremely anxious. I usually shy away from attention and seeing the media and the hyperventilating crowd around me, suddenly made me feel a touch out of place. What am I doing here? What was I going to say when I am face to face with David? It was an out of body experience for me.

Well, as it turns out – I didn’t have to say anything. David was extremely approachable. He reached out and shook my hand. He asked what my name was. He asked if I was with Mel (and when I told Mel - she proceeded to swoon and exclaim “He remembered my name!) I was both thrilled and taken aback by this man, who seemed to draw you into his conversation with his piercing baby blue eyes, and my frayed nerves slowly calmed down. You know how some people can make you feel as if you’re the only person in the room? Well, I say David perfected that technique. While we were chatting about his future appearance on Australian TV and the GQ event that he couldn’t attend, he smiled and signed my cards. He joked that he asked if the Australian TV appearance could have been scheduled at another date because he really didn’t want to miss his friend’s wedding and laughed when they said they couldn’t. Not that he thought they could but at least he tried, he said. He was such a gentleman – he thanked us for all that we do on the page and for coming all the way from Australia to see him. And in all of the couple of minutes I was with him, I had forgotten about the crowd. I could have sworn that we chatted a bit more when I replayed the video of me talking to him later on, but for the life of me I could not remember what we had talked about. The time seemed to go too quickly and all I was left with was the memory of a perfect gentleman and funnily enough, the feel of his soft woollen grey M&S suit under my palm when I hugged him for a picture.

Mel and I wanted to wait and watch David meet and greet his other fans. It’s not as if we get to see David Gandy everyday! While we were watched, we started chatting to Larry King. Larry was so lovely! He was very easy to talk to and he raved wonders about David. They seemed to have such a great friendship and the little snippets of stories he let us in on revealed to us how perfectly down-to-earth they were (E.g.: I asked who was taller between the two of them, and he answered “David thinks he is but in reality I know that I am at least a few centimetres taller than him. We often argue about that.” Ha!).

Larry got a sneaky peek at the merchandised we bought. He leaved through the Esquire Singapore Magazine and told us that David’s favourite picture was one of him walking Bubbles down the street with only his robe on. I butted in and said it was my favourite too, but I couldn’t find the robe anywhere in the store that day. And before I knew it, Larry was off and an M&S girl came back awhile later to tell me that we had to order the robe online.

On the same token, while we watched David, Mel went through her photos and was disappointed that some of the pictures didn't turn out as expected when her camera ran out of memory. Larry promised that David would retake the pictures if we wanted. News got to Adele some how and she gave us another opportunity to take a couple of pictures with David, which we were eternally grateful for.

I cannot say enough about David’s friends and the wonderful crew that surrounded him. They are genuine and try all that they can for David and his fans. This pleasantly surprised me.

The time was nearing to an end. After signatures, David got ready to do a short interview in the store. The table & chair got whisked away, and David disappeared behind the make-shift wall so Larry could work his magic on his hair (not that a strand was out of place, mind you!). David reappeared for the interview and then he was off!

Mel &I had an unforgettable day. But above all, we were thankful that we were one of the lucky few who got to meet David, have a conversation with him (albeit being only a short one) and have the opportunity to take our pictures with him. It was such a surreal experience, one that would live in our hearts forever.

More pictures from the launch can be seen on the DGFA page.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015!
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