David Gandy shares his Spring/Summer fashion favourites

It's safe to say David Gandy and high-end menswear are a good match. He is passionate about fashion, well-informed about quality, fit and cut, and yes, he wears the clothes pretty well. It's no wonder he is Hackett's brand ambassador for its SS26 campaign, The Journey of a Man, shot by fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco in Dubai's light-filled Al Qudra desert.

“We wanted a remoteness and a sense of adventure, and I think there is an incredible beauty to the desert,” Gandy says. “Dubai was the only place in the world where we could base ourselves at the wonderful Bab Al Shams desert resort and have the desert on our doorstep. “Dubai is a very exciting place for fashion at the moment,” he adds. “The appetite from the UAE to work with brands and the fashion industry is growing substantially.”

Gandy has always been inspired by travel. “I adore travelling,” he says. “All my inspirations have come from travel, from the many experiences and cultures. My parents educated me through travel, [taking mel to South America, Africa, the Amazon rainforest and more.” That said, when in London, you'll often find him in Mayfair. “I love walking through the beautiful arcades and having lunch or a drink at Brown's Hotel,” Gandy says. “I have many friends who own and run brands on Savile Row. Bennett Winch, Henry Poole, Thom Sweeney on Old Burlington Street and of course Hackett at number 14.”

Savile Row is the perfect location for Hackett, the smart brand that was founded in 1983. “Hackett has the heritage, luxury credentials and style to be among the top retailers for men,” Gandy says. “Ask any man around the world where the pinnacle of men's tailoring is and it would be Savile Row.” It's also rooted in history: Gandy tells me Hackett's store was once home to Hardy Amies, who designed for Queen Elizabeth II. 

The colour palette for the new collection is elegant, with rich navies and coastal blues paired with terracottas, dusty pinks and greens, echoing the natural hues of the desert. Tailoring is lightweight, and travel-ready pieces are made with breathable and crease-resistant fabrics. Linen is at the heart of the campaign, across shirts, caban jackets, softly structured blazers and gently draped trousers. Gandy first met the brand's founder, Jeremy Hackett, more than 20 years ago.

“I admired him and Hackett and have always organically supported the brand over my 20 years in fashion,” he says. “Working with Hackett is a genuine collaboration with a brand I very much respect. Hackett has always been a staple in my wardrobe and their heightened luxury British casual and tailoring collections have always been and still are the best collections available to men.”

Choosing favourite pieces from the new collection is not easy, he says, but at a push, he says his four summer pieces would be “the navy-blue four-pocket jacket, the slim-fit formal seersucker trouser, a wool-linen Glencheck blazer and the classic-fit Sanderson cotton-linen chinos”.

There's no “one size fits all” when it comes to fashion, Gandy believes. “It depends on individual taste. I believe men should always look for three main elements: style, fit and quality. Men should be spending a little more on timeless pieces that can be used for numerous seasons, mixed with seasonal colours or staple pieces.” He also says men shouldn't follow fashion trends. “Understand what works for you and what pieces complement your body and style.

Making sure clothing fits well and is tailored properly can make a huge difference.” Of course, fashion is continually evolving. “The biggest change was after Covid and lockdown: men were dressing in a far more relaxed way and less in tailoring,” he says. “There has definitely been a shift where men have moved away from formal tailoring but are looking for tailoring influences with more utilitarian, relaxed pieces.

Now, men are coming back to tailoring, but looking for deconstructed construction.” Even on a plane or in transit, you won't catch Gandy in anything other than sartorial chic. “I still believe in looking smart and making an effort when I travel. I think there is a real romanticism to travel, whether that is by plane or train. I will, however, always have a change of clothes for long-haul flights and always take my own luxury loungewear to change into.” Well, naturally.