David Gandy at 45: underwear line, 4,000-calorie regimen and his take on modern masculinity

David Gandy, the quintessential British model whose long association with Dolce & Gabbana helped define a generation of male image-making, is marking a new chapter at 45 by launching his own underwear range and detailing a disciplined routine that blends fitness, business, and family life.

In a candid interview and exclusive photoshoot conducted at a private club in Fulham, London, Gandy introduces his latest venture, a line of trunks branded under his own name. The Ultimate Trunk, described by the designer-entrepreneur as a stretch-fit short designed for comfort and durability, is positioned as part of his broader Wellwear venture. The line is pitched at a calm price point for premium underwear: a pack of three costs about £45, with a minimalist logo sitting just below the waistband on one side. He notes there are no plans for additional styles, arguing that most men prefer trunks over other cuts. “My briefs days are over,” he says with a half-smile, acknowledging the generational shift in men’s undergarment choices.

The scene is carefully curated: Gandy, 6-foot-3 and still bearing the chiseled physique that once propelled him to superstardom, speaks with ease about fashion, fitness, and fatherhood as he models the new product. A 45-minute routine forms the backbone of his daily life, and his approach to appearance extends beyond the underwear line. The setting—an early-morning stretch in a private club—frames a portrait of a man who has built a diversified career, balancing photographic assignments with entrepreneurship and family.

Gandy describes a regimen that is both rigorous and varied. He trains for 45 to 60 minutes, five days a week, using a home gym outfitted with Technogym equipment in a residence valued at about £8 million near Richmond Park. He emphasizes the importance of resistance training, arguing that muscles adapt quickly to repetitive workouts and must be shocked with new stimuli. “Do weights, not just cardio. I vary my routine. Muscles are clever. They get used to doing any exercise, so you have to change everything all the time, to shock them into working,” he notes.

His nutritional discipline is equally pronounced. He follows a high-calorie plan—approximately 4,000 calories daily—and favors whole foods over processed options. His typical day includes pasta, chillis, baked potatoes, fish, fresh vegetable curries, pad Thai, and Thai fish wraps, along with two protein shakes daily that include creatine. He follows a 12-hour fast, breaking the fast around midday since he does not like to eat breakfast. Before a photoshoot, he switches to water and coffee and sometimes a small snack in the days leading up to the shoot, saying the ritual is always accompanied by a dubbed sense of “never again” after the experience.

The discussion also touches on his long-standing status in fashion and the economics of modeling. Gandy has evolved from a model with a landmark Dolce & Gabbana campaign in 2007 to a broader business figure whose portfolio includes his own Wellwear line, brand ambassador roles, and investments. He acknowledges that modeling remains part of his income but emphasizes that most of his earnings now come from business ventures. His Wellwear brand has shown strong growth, with annual sales growth reported at about 88% year on year, though he notes it is not yet profitable as a stand-alone enterprise because the company is still small and reinvests profits back into the business. He also serves as a brand ambassador for Technogym and is an investor in several ventures, including Larry King Hair, Savile Row Gin, and the London Sock Company.

Beyond fashion, Gandy has developed a public profile as a commentator on health, nutrition, and parenting. He has voiced support for Jamie Oliver’s campaign to ban fast-food TV advertising before 9 p.m. and has indicated that he has turned down substantial sums to promote fast-food brands. He remains skeptical of some health technologies; he jokes about sleep-tracking devices and the Oura ring, saying that the body will tell you when it needs rest, and that some devices overstate claims about sleep duration. In his view, such devices should not supplant common sense and balanced living. "What would you like me to do about it?" he quips when asked about numbers reported by sleep trackers.

Gandy’s stance on masculinity is characterized by a deliberate departure from the stereotype of toxic macho behavior. He rejects the notion that masculinity is inherently linked to domination or excess. Rather, he advocates a model of manhood rooted in discretion, responsibility, and care for family and friends. “A man is not about the money he has, the clothes he wears, the cars he drives—even though I have and like all those things. It’s about being discreet, protective of your friends, a good husband, partner and father,” he says, crediting the values instilled by his grandfather and father as guiding principles.

The interview ventures into the pressures and opportunities facing the fashion industry today, including the rise of AI-generated imagery. Gandy argues for real representation in campaigns and emphasizes that brands should use real people in authentic contexts. He cautions that hyper-perfect AI-generated images could be more harmful than a real body if used to set unrealistic standards. He also calls for a broader industry effort to regulate AI in advertising, suggesting a collaborative approach to protect models’ rights while maintaining creative integrity. His position reflects a broader tension in Culture & Entertainment where technology, representation, and commerce intersect.

The conversation also touches on Gandy’s personal life. He and his partner, Stephanie Mendoros, a practicing barrister, are parents to two young daughters, Matilda, six, and Tabitha, three. The couple shares a busy household in which daily routines include school runs and dog walks. Gandy says he tries to keep his phone out of sight during family time and acknowledges the small pleasures that accompany fatherhood, such as walking Dora, the family’s rescue dog, each morning. He notes a lighthearted moment about school-gate chatter, recalling that some shoppers at his local Waitrose in East Sheen alert staff when he arrives, a reminder of the unusual visibility that accompanies public life.

On the question of gender norms and public image, Gandy is clear about not wanting to set unrealistic expectations for men. He points out that some young men may be anxious about how to appear or behave, and he argues that the lesson lies in steady routine and healthy habits rather than cosmetic shortcuts. He praises the idea of “being a gentleman”—a standard he defines as prioritizing family, health, and responsibility over ostentation. His philosophy is straightforward: work hard, take care of yourself, protect your family, and be mindful of the impact one’s choices have on others. He adds that such a stance does not preclude enjoying luxury or success; it simply reframes what it means to be a man who is confident without resorting to bravado.

As for his place in the fashion ecosystem, Gandy notes that the industry is ever-evolving. He reflects on the enduring appeal of classic campaigns while acknowledging the inevitable churn that comes with new faces and new technologies. He confirms that Theo James has taken over as the lead for the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue ads, a reminder that even longstanding partnerships in fashion are subject to renewal. Gandy accepts the shift with pragmatic good humor, describing the transition as a natural evolution for both brands and models.

Looking ahead, Gandy remains active on multiple fronts. He continues to model for brands such as Burberry and Hackett’s No. 14 Savile Row collection while expanding his own business interests. He is set to be the face and body of Jaeger in upcoming campaigns, further extending his influence beyond traditional modeling into the broader fashion and retail landscape. In public statements and interviews, he frames his career as a balance between creative expression, entrepreneurship, and responsible leadership in a field that often prizes perfection but must reckon with real people and real needs.

The portrait that emerges is that of a man who has cultivated a durable brand by aligning his body of work with a consistent philosophy: excellence in craft, a respect for family, and a measured skepticism of empty celebrity. In a media environment that often prizes shock value over substance, Gandy’s emphasis on routine, family, and responsible business offers a model that looks both backward to a long career and forward to a diversified future in fashion and culture.