No 17. The Wakefield Shirt Company

Wakefield Civic Society

an organisation dedicated to making Wakefield a better place in which to live, work or relax.

Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield

No 17. The Wakefield Shirt Company

The Wakefield Shirt Company was founded in 1940 by Izaak Donner (1904-2000), a refugee from the Nazi occupation, and his partner Frank Myers in premises in Kirkgate, Wakefield. Here the famous Double Two Shirts were manufactured, developing a concept which had been founded when Donner's father was in business in Vienna. The company prospered and in 1952 moved to a much larger site here at Portobello Mills. Although the company has diversified, into making industrial workwear and professional uniforms for example, it is still a family-run business.

Isaac Donner, The Wakefield Shirt Company