Five Minutes With... Richard Anderson  

The Savile Row tailor sits down for a quick-fire Q&A about his daily life. 

From the age of 17 Richard Anderson cut his teeth on Savile Row at Huntsman. He went on to set up his own eponymous tailoring establishment in 2001 with co-director and fellow Huntsman alumnus Brian Lishak. They have earnt a reputation for fusing old-school tailoring with contemporary, exuberant, flair. 

Here he shares his day-to-day.

What time do you wake up and what is your morning routine? 
I’m out the door by 6:30am and in the store on Savile Row by 7:45am. I enjoy getting in early before opening at 9:00am; it gives me a chance to prepare for the day and work on the bespoke pieces ahead of a usually busy day of fittings. 

What are your style signifiers? 
I would say it is the combination of contemporary classic elegance; wearing suits that combine the tradition of Savile Row with a modern twist, featuring structured clean lines. Navy blue is a colour that I am always drawn to. There is always an element of blue to my outfits. A regular is my navy silk hank with white polka dot. It’s one of my favourite designs from our collection.   

What is your grooming routine? 
I’m not too fussy with my grooming routine. I brush my hair and teeth and go each day. I have, on occasion, grown a beard, but it hasn’t lasted long, so shaving is also part of the regular routine. 

What is your wellness routine? 
I love playing tennis; you will find me on a tennis court most weekends. I also really enjoy walking. Being outdoors after busy weeks in central London does wonders for the mind.   

What do you always have in your fridge? 
There is always a bottle of chilled Riesling ready, preferably a 2020 Berry Bros & Rudd Mosel Riesling Kabinett by Selbach-Oster, Germany. And a nice truffle cheddar from a local deli.  

What is your guilty pleasure? 
I’d have to say Watford Football Club. I’ve been a loyal supporter since I can remember.  

Where do you live? 
I live in our family home in St Albans with my wife Fran. 

What would you save from your house if it was on fire (if pets and family were out already)? 
I’d have to say my family photo albums, dating back generations. I’d hate to think we would lose the opportunity to pull them out when reminiscing as a family.  

What is your favourite thing to do on a Sunday? 
As mentioned, I love to play tennis. Most Sundays start with a game of tennis with friends, followed by a roast in a local pub. I then settle down to watch football for the afternoon. 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? 
I’d love to get to Melbourne, Australia, to visit an old friend. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years. Alternatively, I haven’t visited Paris for a few years, and I love the city, so that’s a priority this year. 

 
What is the best advice you have been given? 
Always be 10 minutes early; it’s a simple piece of advice, but it holds true. Being late is never a good first impression.   

Who would be your perfect dinner-party guests, past and present? 
Bruce Springsteen; imagine the stories he has to share. I wouldn’t mind hearing a few songs or two in person. I’d also have loved the opportunity to sit down and chat with Graham Taylor, who was the Watford and England football manager. 

What great gift did you receive recently? 
I was left a picture by a longstanding customer in their will; an extremely touching gesture as you can imagine. The customer in question was a supporter from day one and always went with my recommendations in terms of fabric and style. The picture is titled Portrait of a Man by Jean Béraud, a famous French painter who was known for Parisian street scenes. It depicts a man in a suit so, obviously, the link to me is strong. I love this picture and what it represents.  

Which is your favourite room at home and why? 
It would have to be the lounge: it’s a calming space, but also where I can kick back and relax. We have a lot of great family memories, just sitting around and catching up on each other’s days in that room. 
 
If you could return to one year of your life, what would it be and why? 
I’d have to say it was the year we opened our store. We were the first bespoke tailoring house to open on Savile Row in 50 years, which felt like a great achievement for both myself and my business partner. 

This article originally appeared in Billionaire's Next Gen Issue. To subscribe to our glorious print magazine, click here.