Written by Peter Brooker in Brands on the 2nd October 2015

Emma Willis has been specialising in bespoke shirts since 1989 and from her London store in Jermyn Street since 1999. Adhering to the highest standards of English shirt making; single needle stitching, cross stitched real mother of pearl buttons, and patterns matched at seams. All her shirts are hand crafted by highly skilled cutters and machinists in Bearland House, an elegant 18th Century townhouse in the centre of historic Gloucester. Emma spends 2 days a week at the factory overseeing design, cut, make and quality control of all bespoke and ready to wear shirts. Emma has managed to build a team of 30 tailors who are passionate, diligent and above all take pride in producing the highest quality luxury shirts, boxer shorts, pyjamas, dressing gowns and walking socks.

"When I worked for a well-known corporation, I had to infiltrate a sect of mostly male engineers. The challenge to be respected in my field made me work harder, think faster, push further, and know more."

Emma Willis is no longer one of the trades best kept secrets after recently being nominated as a finalist for the Draper Award 2015, to add to her accolades of being nominated in GQ Style magazine as 'London's best bespoke shirtmaker', and by Nick Foulkes in the Evening Standard as one of 'The top 5 bespoke shirt makers in the world'.

"I learned to listen. I learned to apologize when I was wrong and act fast to correct my errors. I learned to respect my teachers, but also respect my own abilities. And I will always remember the men who saw my potential and the men that didn’t judge me but saw a light in me that told them that I had something to contribute."

At emmawillis.com you can learn more about the craftsmanship that goes into each garment, and read more about her popular Style for Soldiers Christmas Party which is the largest annual reunion for injured service personnel. One of Emma's regular clients is eye-candy David Gandy who has appeared on the front cover of Vanity Fair wearing an Emma Willis Silk Evening Shirt. After hearing of Emma's work and her regular visits to the Headley Rehabilitation Centre, he became an ambassador for Style for Soldiers. Each injured patient from the Centre is given a complementary bespoke shirt from Emma's Luxury Cottons. Also to those patients who need them, a hand carved ebony walking stick with a buffalo horn handle, and silver band engraved with their regiment and initials.

If you would like to book an appointment at Emma's Jermyn Street Shop in London, please contact [email protected]. There is a minimum order of 3 shirts, with the first sample made in white Poplin. This initial shirt is £290 and subsequent shirts depend on the fabric chosen, but range from £280 - £340.

A look at the London Jermyn Street shirtmaker Emma Willis who has been specialising in bespoke shirts since 1989.