In the 1950s, expert tailor Nazareno Fonticoli perfected Brioni’s large-scale production of handmade suiting, and Gaetano Savini drove the company forward by introducing the brand to the US. Andrea Perrone, Brioni’s CEO since 2009, spent the majority of his childhood living with Savini (his grandfather) and has clearly inherited his business acumen and sartorial habits. Perrone’s own style—heavy on the Brioni suits, of course—has been much lauded, and he has rightly established himself as his brand’s best ambassador.

What is your definition of luxury?

Absolute excellence, quality without compromises, rareness and exclusivity. We cannot reduce the concept of luxury exclusively to the price.

What do you consider a perfect outfit?

A perfect suit enriched with particular accessories such as a tie, belt or shoes. Choose the right tie and you will appear always elegant and smart.

And what’s the right way to choose?

[It’s] all about the color, shape and fit of the suit, and the shirt you are wearing. If I wore a blue suit, I would wear a light blue shirt with a woven tie in a multicolored pattern of purple and blue. With a grey suit I would wear a green tie, with a red-striped or light blue shirt—again, complementary colors, but the green really lifts a grey suit.

Brioni is named after a group of islands. What's your favorite island hideaway?

When the company was founded, the Brioni Islands was one of the most exclusive resorts in the Mediterranean Sea. From all over the world the establishment and the jet-set traveled there to find something special: polo, golf, sailing and relaxing. I still love this place.

Are you into sports?

The Brioni Polo Club, established in 1924, was the very first Italian polo club, and the polo player on the poster for the Brioni Islands has always been featured on the lining of the jackets. Apart from polo, I personally play golf as much as I can.

Describe your perfect day.

If we’re speaking about free time––as I’m often abroad for my job––what I really like to do is spend it with my wife and my three children.

And what are the things you can’t do without when traveling?

A blue blazer, always jolly whether for day or the evening, formal or casual.  Four to five ties (different colors, patterns, woven or printed). Two pairs of shoes.