Interview: Molly Anderson talks championing women’s tailoring on Savile Row

Savile Row might be known as the hub for bespoke men’s tailoring, but the street — which has seen clientele from royalty to prime ministers and world famous actors and musicians — was actually named after a woman. Lady Dorothy Savile was the wife of the 3rd Earl of Burlington, and was known for wanting gentlemen in her life to be perfectly attired. And hence, Savile Row was born. 

For the longest time, however, the iconic Mayfair thoroughfare was not very welcoming to women. Today, however, that has changed. Now, women are the heart and soul of Savile Row, with the workforce featuring several female cutters, tailors and even women-owned brands. Molly Anderson is one such tailor, not only helping pave the way but also championing women on Savile Row and in her industry.

Molly joined Richard Anderson in 2019, being trained under Richard and working her way up the ladder to now leading the day-to-day operations at the brand. She has built up her own roster of male and female clientele, and leads on designing for women’s bespoke. She also represents the brand internationally.

So, in honour of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we chat with Molly Anderson about her career on Savile Row. Here, Molly talks about her commitment to equality, championing women in her industry through organisations like Women in Tailoring and the many challenges of being a woman in a male dominated industry.

Related: How Marilyn Monroe continues to influence fashion todayYou’re part of a prestigious roster of tailors and craftspeople working at Savile Row. Where did your passion for tailoring come from?
Growing up around creatives with my mum being an artist and seeing my dad working on The Row, I knew I always wanted to be doing something creative. When the opportunity came up for me to join the business, I had to give it a shot and from there my love for tailoring and more specifically interest for developing women’s tailoring grew the more I learnt. I started with front-of-house and administration at Richard Anderson, under the wing of Brian Lishak, who helped me learn about customer’s individual style, shopping habits, and preferences. Eventually, under my father’s guidance, I learned the art of striking, cutting, and pattern making. The constant drive for precision and attention to detail excited me to pursue tailoring further.

How does it feel to be ushering in the next generation of Richard Anderson?
It’s incredibly rewarding! I’ve been fortunate to work in a house that values creativity, and the opportunity to lead trunk shows and design bespoke women’s garments alongside my father has been invaluable. The journey allows me to combine my skills and pass on the expertise I’ve gained, helping to continue Richard Anderson’s legacy whilst also incorporating my fresh new ideas that have been appealing to a younger customer base including women.

Are there any unique challenges to being a tailor in a male-dominated industry? What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career?
Yes, being a woman in the tailoring industry comes with unique challenges. Savile Row’s success has been built on men’s tailoring for hundreds of years, and many traditional teaching methods which are timeless and what set Savile Row apart from any other tailoring offering. However, I’ve been fortunate to work in a house that has embraced women’s tailoring from the very beginning when competitor tailoring houses on The Row were not. The challenges include overcoming outdated practices, but I’ve seen a new generation of talented people, both men and women, bringing fresh ideas to the industry. Our womenswear offering continues to grow and I have acquired a strong, reliable customer base over the years.

Related: Meet the 2025 Walpole Brands of Tomorrow You’ve been an outspoken advocate for women on The Row. Can you please speak a bit about that?
As part of the Women in Tailoring initiative, I work within a supportive community of women in the industry. The goal is to share experiences, offer advice, and support one another. Women are no longer kept behind the scenes, and there’s no competition between us.

You are on the board of Women in Tailoring, championing women in your industry. Why is this so important to you?
The Women in Tailoring board has played a key role in breaking stereotypes and bringing more women to Savile Row, helping them feel confident shopping for bespoke garments. This is a significant step forward for the industry, and I am proud to contribute to this change. We aim to create a community of women where relationships can be built and fostered across our industry through a series of informal quarterly networking events.   

On social media, menswear writer Derek Guy has amassed a huge following through his advice on men’s tailoring. What is the key to great tailoring? What are some aspects that men and women should look out for when getting fitted?
The key to great tailoring is attention to detail. A well-fitted bespoke garment is all about understanding the wearer’s body and style preferences. For both men and women, it’s important to ensure the garment flatters the body’s natural shape, considering factors like bust size, waistline, and overall proportions. We also have to account for how the product falls during movement i.e. a flared pant should swing when walking if this is more preferable to the customer.  Custom fitting is about understanding individual needs and making the suit or garment feel comfortable while showcasing the best fit. How do you zhuzh up a dinner suit? What is the best way a simple suit can stand out from the crowd?
The perfect cut and fit of the suit is what we really try to focus on to make the wearer and suit stand out, and once that pattern is established we can play with individual details and unique cloth to show off the wearer’s personality. As the dinner suit is such a staple and traditional garment, I prefer to ‘zhuzh’ it up with subtle differences to keep it elegant, for example opting for a midnight blue wool/mohair blend with a black satin facing for a ‘Hollywood’ feel rather than a standard black barathea. For suits, I love when the customer wants to get creative! I like to add bold touches like crescent-shaped pockets or show off our cut with unique cloth like our ‘Anni Check Tweed’. You can also add personable touches to complete a look such as our wonderful twilly from Fran’s Collection which can make a simple suit stand out and add personality to the wearer. A well-tailored suit that fits perfectly and has an unexpected detail can leave a lasting impression.

Finally, as a woman, what advice would you give any aspiring tailors and designers wanting to get their foot in the door?
Be patient and persistent. Start by learning as much as you can through different roles in tailoring, from administration to cutting, fitting, and design. Working with experienced mentors, like I did with my father, will help you hone your skills and build a solid foundation. Keep pushing boundaries and never stop learning—tailoring is a craft that constantly evolves.

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