David Gandy's Underwear Designs

After years of modelling them on catwalks from Milan to Paris, David Gandy has designed his own underwear collection, exclusively for Marks & Spencer. The capsule collection, entitled David Gandy for Autograph (M&S's premium department), comprises 28 items ranging from boxers and briefs to sleepwear.

"Partnering with a great British brand like M&S felt the perfect fit right now," Gandy told us. "We've been working closely for a few years, so it felt like a natural progression to collaborate with them on my own range."

Making the jump from model to designer is no easy transition, but it is one that Gandy found easy to make.

"I've genuinely enjoyed every part of the process and feel proud of the results," he said. "I wanted to combine quality of fabrics, good design and fit, and an element of style with each piece to form the basic essentials for the range."

David Gandy

The model hasn't abandoned being in front of the camera completely though. Fans will be pleased to hear that he will be donning his designs for the accompanying campaign ("I still enjoy modelling, and that has given me various opportunities to explore other things too - it will always be at the heart of whatever I do.")

Gandy - who is currently the face of the M&S Collection Menswear label - follows in the footsteps of Rosie Huntington-Whitley, who first modelled for the department store before creating her own range of women's lingerie, Rosie for Autograph. It went on to become the fastest selling underwear range in the store´s history, and if Gandy's own collection proves to be as popular, he's game to continue.

"I have to be honest, from sketching designs, choosing the fabrics, adding personal touches and even down to the packaging, I've been really involved and thoroughly enjoyed it," he revealed. "I'd love to do more if the opportunity came along."

David Gandy for Autograph will launches in London on September 18, after which it will be available in stores worldwide and online.