1. Page 24
TG: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR
NEW CAMPAIGN FOR YOUR DAVID
BECKHAM BODYWEAR RANGE AT
H&M?
DB: I had such a great time filming last
year’s campaign with Guy Ritchie that I
wanted to push myself this time to see
what more I could do. I have always
loved the films of Nicolas Winding
Refn, particularly Drive and Only God
Forgives, and so I was thrilled when
he agreed to direct my new campaign.
From the beginning I asked him to come
up with an action filled story that also
had a great sense of humour, in which I
could also do all my own stunts.
TG: WHAT IS IT THAT YOU LIKE ABOUT
NICOLAS WINDING REFN?
DB: His films are so incredibly tense
and are full of action, yet they are
also so stylish. I remember when Drive
was first released, and everybody was
talking about it. He manages to get
so much packed into his films, and yet
it all feels effortless. When it came to
thinking who’d be perfect to shoot my
next commercial, I knew he’d be right
for the job.
TG: TELL US THE STORY IN THE
COMMERCIAL – WHAT HAPPENS?
DB: The commercial is set in a photo
studio in East London, where I’m
shooting a Bodywear campaign. It’s on
the top floor of a building, and during
a break I step outside onto the roof to
get some air. The door shuts, and I get
locked out, on a roof, in just my briefs
and vest. I have to do whatever it takes
to get myself down from the roof.
TG: WHAT WAS IT LIKE DOING ALL
YOUR OWN STUNTS?
DB: Nicholas and his team worked
hard to create a storyline that allowed
me to be in every single scene. I’ve
learned so much about the work and
preparation that goes into even the
most straightforward stunt. It takes
incredible dedication from a whole
team to make it all look natural, while
also being safe for everyone involved.
When it came to film the stunts, I was
nervous, but I also knew I was in the
best hands. When we had filmed them,
it was such a thrill.
TG: IS IT TRUE THAT THERE ARE GOING
TO BE ALTERNATIVE ENDINGS?
DB: Yes, it’s true. I wanted there to be
another twist to the campaign, and so
we’ve filmed two alternative endings
for the story. Visitors to HM.com will be
able to vote for their favourite ending,
with the winning version being debuted
during the Superbowl on February 2nd
. I
can’t wait to see which ending everyone
around the world chooses to see!
TG: TALK US THROUGH THE NEW
SPRING RANGE OF YOUR BODYWEAR
COLLECTION.
DB: We’re introducing lots of new styles
to the Bodywear collection at H&M
which continue with a heritage feel. I
love the new stripes on pieces like long-
sleeve Henleys and vests. There are two
different types of stripe, one with a very
thin stripe that feels like an update on
classic undergarments, and then a wider
stripe that is more like our take on preppy
sportswear. There’s also a new polo shirt
shape, and a long-sleeved raglan top
that’s got a playful large letter B on the
back. It’s great to be taking these ideas
from vintage pieces and making them
feel fresh and contemporary.
TG: WHAT ABOUT THE SEASONLESS
COLLECTION - IS IT STILL AVAILABLE?
DB: Yes absolutely. At the heart of my
Bodywear range is a core collection of
pieces which will always be available, no
matter what season. I wanted to create
a collection that men could come to rely
on, and would be available to them at
every H&M store that sells menswear,
no matter where they are in the world.
TG: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT
THE REACTION TO YOUR BODYWEAR
COLLECTION?
DB: I’m overwhelmed by the reaction
to my Bodywear collection at H&M. It’s
been an immediate success from the
moment we introduced it back in 2012.
At the time it felt like something very
new to create a bodywear range that
was based around fit and cut rather than
on branding. It’s been so satisfying that
men around the world have responded
so enthusiastically to the collection. It
shows that it was the right decision to
take, and that men are really looking
for new classics to be in their wardrobe.
TG: WHAT’S NEXT FOR DAVID
BECKHAM BODYWEAR?
DB: One of the most enjoyable parts
of creating the collection is seeing
what else can be included in our idea
of bodywear. For instance, I love the
loungewear pieces that are in the
range, and which I love to wear when
I’m relaxing at home. We think long and
hard before we make any additions to
the range, because we want everything
that we do to be just right. We have
a really exciting new addition to the
collection coming this summer which I
can’t wait to tell you about!
Page 24
celebrityinterview
By Celine Assouad
LIFE
STYLE
meet
david beckham
The one and only David Beckham will star in H&M’s Spring/Summer 2014
Bodywear campaign, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. In the action-
packed plot, David is locked out of a photo shoot on a rooftop in just his
underwear – with no way down. He has to go to any lengths to get to
safety, performing his own stunts in the process. The Gate got its hands
on an exclusive interview with the star.