Emma writes about Last weeks’ London Collections : Men

We have just ended the fourth London Collections; Men, which has brought London to the forefront of men’s fashion again.

We designed shirts, ties and dressing gowns for the Show at Churchill’s War Rooms. Each LC:M has showcased the world of high end tailoring, including chosen tailors and shirt makers of Savile Row and Jermyn Street, known as The English Gentleman, and styled and produced by GQ’s Fashion Director Jo Levin. It has become one of the highlights of London Fashion week, keenly anticipated and attended by press from all over the world.

We were busy right up until Christmas Eve at our Gloucester workroom, finishing the last shirt and gown. We made country check cashmerello shirts, paisley wool ties, wool dressing gowns and about 20 white shirts. Sukie, who you will all know from the shop, was in charge of the EW wardrobe and dressing models, one of whom was my son Kai who was in the Chief of Staff’s Conference Room where AA Gill, Sir John Standing, and Sir Michael Gambon re enacted a strategy meeting and Elton John even stepped in at the last minute to help, in pink cardigan and pearls! LC:M’s Ambassadors David Gandy and Dermot O’Leary excelled in their roles representing British dressing and charm, and we all shuffled around the dark, atmospheric corridors under Whitehall, bumping into Tommy Hilfiger round one corner, and Lord Heseltine the next! (Click here to see Tatler bystander party images)

The next morning I was at Fortnum and Mason for the 8.30am St. James’s Show styled by GQ’S Robert Johnston, who spoke to the International press attending of the Crown Estate’s exciting rejuvenation of the area, and the unique spirit of St. James’s. The Crown introduced me to CNN anchorman Jim Boulden who came back to the shop after the event to film the bespoke shirt experience. (Click here to see Emma Willis featured on CNN)

They were completely distracted mid filming by Fonzie looking in our shop window, who they then interviewed about Jermyn Street. He has been shopping here since 1970 for shirts and shoes and said, “It’s about craftsmanship, everything I buy here is made well.”

It has been a great London Fashion Week, and having been in the bespoke, determindley British made area of the business for many years now, it is incredibly encouraging that the world seems to be in love with our great crafts again, of tailoring, shirt, shoe and hat making, and the subtle, understated and elegant way in which the British man dresses.