Emma Harris, designer and co-founder of Harris Made, sitting on a wooden stool in the studio — Emma Harris, designer and co-founder

01A conversation

A conversation with Emma

It begins, as it should, with a conversation with Emma. You talk through your ideas and any constraints and, most importantly, what makes your institution special, from its history and traditions to its crest and colors.

Tell us who you want to recognize and when.

Emma's colored sketch for a Lurie Children's Hospital tie, with the heart and star repeat in blue and notes on the tipping — Lurie Children's Hospital

Emma's sketch for Columbia University, drawn from the arches, with notes on the repeat and colors — Columbia University

Emma's sketch of the lion scarf and tie for the University of Chicago — University of Chicago

Emma's scarf and tie concept for Purdue University on squared paper, with notes on the signature placement and tie tipping — Purdue University

02Hand-drawn designs

The design starts on paper

Emma has a knack for finding the detail that belongs to your institution alone, a campus railing, perhaps, or a window, and working it into a pattern repeat. She presents hand-drawn sketches of her subtle, less-is-more designs, so you can see the idea take shape on paper first.

Each design starts from a blank page.

2 printed silk strike-offs in cobalt blue with a small flower repeat, laid out on a wooden workbench — A printed silk strike-off, made for approval before production

03Samples for your approval

Samples you can hold

As part of our bespoke service, we make samples for your approval. You see and hold the real thing, and nothing goes into production until you are entirely happy with it.

A Harris Made leather label being stitched onto a navy windowpane tweed bag at a workshop sewing machine

04Made and presented

Made in Britain and presented with care

Your gifts are then made by family-owned mills and a foundry holding Royal Warrants, using centuries-old British methods and materials chosen for the occasion.

Once each gift has passed our quality checks, Emma inspects it one final time and wraps it by hand in a foil-embossed presentation box branded for your institution. Inside, a thick printed card carries your thank-you message, with the provenance of the gift on the reverse. Details matter, and frankly, some matter more.

Meet the makers

2 guests at a Marquette University reception wearing gold silk ties — Silk ties for the Marquette University Founders Society

05Given and worn

Worn, used and kept

The last stage belongs to the people you are thanking. A scarf is worn at reunion and a tie at the gala, and a good pair of cufflinks is kept for many years, which is rather the point.