In 1992 Richard James opened his first shop on Savile Row and famously introduced Saturday opening to the street.
It was noticed by Nick Sullivan in British Esquire magazine: “There is an odd atmosphere these days in Savile Row. Nothing tangible, you understand. But from time to time, people stop to peer with uncertainty, with incomprehension, even with vague horror through the plate glass window of No. 37a. There’s a new boy in the Row and he’s causing quite a stir. What’s more, he’s not a tailor. Richard James is too busy to worry about his neighbours.”
Now, over 20 years on, Richard James is one of the most successful tailors on the street with two shops on Savile Row; one even boasting the title of the largest premises on the street. He has also opened a store in Tokyo and the company’s ready to wear collections are sold worldwide through stockists including Harrods, Selfridges, Bloomingdales and Barney’s New York.
In the first of a series of interviews with high profile, London-based entrepreneurs, The Journal went to see Richard James at his Bespoke store on Savile Row. During our time he told us the secrets of his success and recanted his journey towards being accepted by the old-school Savile Row establishment, as well as giving us a good look into his Spring Summer 2013 Collection.
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