Early Stigma and the Shift to Aspirational Male Modelling

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In this episode, the British supermodel David Gandy joins the show. The man who defined an era of male modelling reveals why he walked away from guaranteed money to build something bigger. After watching female models launch empires while male models remained stuck as "clothes hangers," he made a calculated bet: turn down the certain payday, take back ownership of his image, and build a business that would outlast his modelling career.

Now, at the top of his game, he runs his own brand "Wellwear" which has seen enormous success over the last few years, and it's only on the rise. David dives into his take on why AI will devastate the modelling industry and the coffee brand strategy that's generating more long-term value than any campaign ever could.

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Getting scouted late and breaking into male modelling
03:52 Early modelling stigma and the shift toward aspiration
07:44 Struggles with sample sizes and building a unique fit
11:36 Gym injuries, competitive edge, and learning to scale back
15:28 Training, longevity, and dedication through every era
19:20 Campaign prep, appearance tricks, and dietary tweaks
23:12 Behind launching a clothing line and early business lessons
27:04 Why fashion’s a brutal industry for newcomers
30:56 Collaborating without conflict and owning your brand image
34:48 Exiting M&S, brand evolution, and staying relevant
38:40 Modelling’s unpredictability and carving your own path
42:32 AI models, declining rates, and the future of modelling
46:24 Debunking modelling myths and why few succeed
50:16 Moments of doubt and surviving early rejection
57:59 Embracing discomfort, training consistency, and hard truths
01:01:51 Crafting a personal brand by staying selective
01:05:43 Designing legacy beyond his own image
01:09:35 Mentorship, new faces, and passing the torch
01:13:27 Aging, grey hairs, and why 30s are underrated
01:17:19 Escaping social media and the battle for attention

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidgandy_official/?hl=en
Website: https://www.davidgandywellwear.com/