Shirtmaker to the stars and former soldiers sews scrubs for surgeons

Emma Willis, the Gloucester-based upmarket shirtmaker is the latest business to change its output by making protective scrubs for the NHS hospital staff in luxurious Swiss cotton thanks to the current critical shortage due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company has set up a JustGiving page, aiming to raise £30,000 by asking for £30 donations which covers the cotton for a pair and the company is covering all production costs.

Emma’s “Style for Surgeons” initiative follows her hugely successful “Style for Soldiers” initiative, a charity founded by Emma in response to the numerous casualties incurred in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008 she began visiting patients at the Military Rehabilitation Hospital every two months, measuring them for a bespoke shirt as a gift of thanks for their bravery and sacrifice.

As injured servicemen and women faced unwanted medical discharge from the military Emma realised the need for smart, well fitting clothing to wear for interviews and formal occasions to help with confidence and morale as dressing properly was such a fundamental part of military life and a new uniform was needed.

She approached various English brands to assist and M&S have now given over 750 suits, Russell & Bromley provided over 250 shoes, Burberry 200 Trench coats and Lock & Co Hatters 100’s of hats.