UVENIO FASHION Talk!: David Gandy:Male SuperModel at 40

In a world of increasing division and hostility, there remains one thing people of all ages, religions and sexes can agree on: David Gandy is hot AF.

Thankfully, the male supermodel's 40th birthday today (19 February) ample excuse to delve into commendably clothes-free fashion back catalogue.

You might not recognize the name, but you've definitely seen him. Or, stared at him.David Gandy is a British model who was the go-to for designers at Dolce & Gabbana for many years. He was considered for the role of Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey and, as you can see, they made an enormous mistake passing him over for Jamie Dornan, who will always look way more like a boy than a man --- in my humble opinion, of course.But, let's do have a moment to appreciate the tall, dark and handsome David on his special day.

David James Gandy was born in Billericay, Essex, England, to Brenda Janet (Rabey) and Christopher A. Gandy, who ran a property and freight company. He is of English, and some Scottish, descent. After winning a television modeling competition at the age of 21, David Gandy was signed to Select Model Management in London. Selected as the lead male by Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana, David starred in numerous D & G campaigns and runway shows between 2006 and 2012. He became best-known as the face of their fragrance, "Light Blue". The duo featured Gandy in two special projects: their 2008 Calendar and "David Gandy by Dolce & Gabbana," a 280-page photographic book dedicated to their six years of collaboration.

Once David achieved international name recognition, he diversified into other activities such as regularly writing a blog for British Vogue and car reviews for British GQ. Twice Gandy has represented British style and the men's fashion industry as a speaker at the Oxford Union. In 2012, he was appointed to serve on the British Fashion Council's Committee for London Collections: Men.

Spanish Glamour awarded David "Most Beautiful International Male" in 2008. British Fashion Council has nominated him for "Model of the Year" twice: 2010 and 2012. During the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, he was the only male to model British fashion alongside Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and other female models. In 2012 and again in 2013, Gandy was included in the Evening Standard's "1,000 Most Influential People in London." British GQ has repeatedly named him one of the "50 Best Dressed Men in Britain."

David's other pursuits include racing in the Mille Miglia, creating two mobile apps (the David Gandy Men's Style Guide and the David Gandy Fitness Guide) and charity work with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as their first celebrity Ambassador. Gandy also launched his own non-profit foundation, the "Blue Steel Appeal" to raise money for Red Nose Day/Comic Relief.

Birth Date: February 19, 1980
Birthplace: Billericay, Essex
Country of origin: United Kingdom