Emma Willis opens AW26 collection at historic Gloucester atelier

Emma Willis presents her Autumn Winter 2026 collection from Bearland House in Gloucester, the atelier where her bespoke tailoring practice continues a lineage of English craftsmanship. The gathering of fabric swatches and spools of thread visible in her studio reveals the considered palette that defines her approach: subtle checks in charcoal and warm grey, navy and forest green grounds punctuated with gingham in pale blue and sage, all arranged with the practised eye of someone who understands how cloth tells a story.

The collection embodies Willis’s commitment to made in England production, each piece emerging from meticulous hand cutting and construction. Her atelier operates within the traditions of bespoke tailoring yet speaks to contemporary concerns about durability and waste. The fabrics selected for AW26 reflect this philosophy: textiles chosen not for fashion’s fleeting moment but for their capacity to endure in a wardrobe, their subtle patterns and restrained colourways allowing pieces to shift easily between seasons and occasions.

Working from Bearland House positions Willis within the broader landscape of English tailoring innovation, her practice rooted in the disciplines of drape, proportion and hand finishing that distinguish bespoke from ready made. The studio itself becomes part of the work: scissors and measuring tools arranged with the fabric swatches speak to the precision and intentionality that underpins each commission.

Visitors to the atelier in Gloucester can view the collection by appointment, experiencing firsthand the materials and construction that distinguish Willis’s practice in contemporary tailoring.

Imagery courtesy of Emma Willis (@emmawillislondon).