Todd Sanfield Opens Up

Todd Sanfield is a model and underwear designer, and if that weren’t enough, he’s half way through pharmacy school, too. You wouldn’t know all that just by looking at him, though (or would you?) Find out about his underwear line, his interest in medicine and what else he’s up to. We have a few other personal tidbits, too, like what underwear he prefers to wear and whether or not he thinks he’s good looking (no brainer, right..?) When you’re done, we have a sampling of photos from his recent shoot at The Bowery Hotel with Rick Day for DNA Magazine.

Underwear Expert: So, you’re in medical school, right?

Todd Sanfield: It’s pharmacy school–I’m a drug specialist. It’s like medical school, just as intense.

UE: Where did you get the inspiration for that field of study?

TS: I enjoy studying medication, the human body. My undergrad major was zoology so I was always really interested in animals, but as I evolved, I realized I was more interested in the human body. I love to exercise and that really brought me to study pharmacy, too–learning, down to the cell, how the body works.

UE: Does your interest in the human body have anything to do with your designing underwear?

TS: Probably! I’m intrigued with the body in general–boy, girl it doesn’t matter–it’s just interesting to me how people can change their body around.

UE: How did you get started modeling?

TS: My mom talked me into doing a photo shoot when I was 21 and then it kind of just happened.

UE: Did you always know you were good-looking?

TS: I didn’t really know what I looked like behind the camera–I was always an athlete, and strong, and I lifted weights and ran and stuff–then I took these pictures and they turned out pretty good.

UE: So you’re in New York for the summer? What’s the plan?

TS: Dude, it’s a loaded question. I have no idea. Right now I’m on the fly. I’ve got three months to figure out what the next move is–what the next step is. I really just came out here because I’m trying to build my underwear line and I figured now is a better time than ever–because if anything can happen, it’s now. I have a three-month window. I have a plan of action, but I do have a lot of different things happening.

UE: And what’s your priority?

TS: If I wasn’t in school I’d have the underwear line–there’d be a lot going on–I’d be living in New York 24/7, 365 days a year, but that’s not the case. I have grad school–it’s priority-so everything else is going kinda slowly. The reality is there’s always that chance you won’t be a movie star or a famous designer–even though I may not think like that.

UE: And what’s the goal right now with your underwear line?

TS: The goal is to continue to improve and take it one step at a time. You want it to be as big as possible, high quality.. but I’m gotta take it one step at a time. It’s a generic answer, but the hard part is getting there. I’m just kind of starting, really, and learning what and who’s out there.

UE: What’s your underwear design philosophy?

TS: I always played football, baseball, basketball and get a lot of my inspiration from that. It’s my vision. And nature.. that’s where it’s going to evolve from.

UE: And perhaps off topic.. what underwear do you prefer to wear?

TS: The two styles I have, that I sell, are my underwear choice. They look the best on me, fit me the best, and are the most comfortable for me.

UE: When you’re not figuring it all out this summer, do you have any favorite New York spots?

TS: I like the West Village, everything about the West Village.

UE: Do you ever get recognized there or elsewhere?

TS: I guess when I’m walking around the village I’ve had people say stuff to me, but you know what I mean, I’m not some big famous guy.. I’m not that noticeable.. I’m just some dude! I see celebrities all the time, but I don’t say anything!

Visit The Underwear Expert for more of the exclusive interview with Todd Sanfield.

The Underwear Expert is the Men's Underwear resource by Michael Kleinmann. Covering all aspects of men's underwear including new releases, underwear product reviews, underwear news, and photos of guys in underwear. The Underwear Expert is your new underwear stylist. Also available on Twitter @underwearexpert and Facebook.com/underwearexpert.