David Gandy proves he isn't just another pretty boy

The male supermodel found himself in Oxford University's esteemed Union on Monday night as fashion had a brainy moment. Gandy was joined on a panel by photographer Tony McGee, the V&A's senior curator Claire Wilcox, fashion consultant Frances Card and VOGUE.COM editor Dolly Jones to chat to the students about how to make it in an industry not usually associated with the lofty intellectualism of Oxford.

While the students were happy to hear about each of the panellist's careers and to ask plenty of questions, there was no doubt that all eyes were on Gandy - fresh from an appearance on the Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show and looking as Dolce & Gabbana-gorgeous in real life as he does in his little white pants in the ads.

Admitting that it hadn't been easy to break into the industry when he started modelling "because the trend was for skinny, androgynous guys who had bodies more like girls", the very masculine Gandy had all the women giggling like schoolgirls throughout - and the boys joined in when he told a shocking story about finding himself in someone else's hotel bathroom during a recent shoot. (Caught short and in a desperate hurry, he mistook somebody else's beach hut for his own, only to walk out of the bathroom - refreshed - to find a surprised honeymoon couple wondering what he'd been doing in there).

As well as building his own profile into one to rival any of the super-girls ("I saw a gap in the market"), Gandy has also taken it upon himself to help men for whom fashion is still a mystery. "Men are still quite scared of the connotations of looking gay, even in 2010," he said. "But dressing well can be incredibly easy. You don't have to buy a suit from the most expensive labels - you can pick one up from the high street and for an extra £20 or £30 you could have it tailored to fit you perfectly - and nothing really looks better than a tailored suit. And because we're limited to jeans, T-shirts and suits, it's important to be confident with accessories to look good and be different - it doesn't have to be difficult."

While styling might be another of his talents, however, modelling is still first and foremost. "I've managed to just about cross the line from model to celebrity which puts me up against David Beckham and Jude Law when it comes to modelling jobs," he said. "It's an amazing feeling to be on that level - but on the other hand I do kind of just think, 'I wish they'd sod off - I want those campaigns!'"

From GQ Magazine, Gandy had this to say: "There's a bit of a Zoolanderesque presumption about about who you are. And in some ways I'm trying to break that trend... [Modelling is] opening up many doors." Come in David Gandy, your time is now.



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