Kiely was born in Kinshasa, Zaïre now the Democratic Republic of Congo. He spent most of his early years growing up in Africa and traveling to the states occasionally to visit. At the age of 6 he would be trapped in his first civil war, and at 8 his second. Spending time in a 3rd floor apartment with a warzone and missile fire outside his window, to a small bathroom with 15 people huddled up in hiding to avoid being seen and shot on site. He and his Mother and siblings ended up in refugee camps. Eventually they were rescued and ended up in a foreign embassy. While in the embassy he sat on the floor aimlessly looking around traumatized from everything, something caught his attention. He saw a tailor measuring what looked like a very prominent individual. For whatever reason watching the two interact gave Kiely a sense of calm. This was the moment that would piqued an interest that would stick with him through his childhood and into adult hood. This was the moment that would be the spark for what Kings Gentlemen is today.

 

Today Kings Gentlemen is styling the modern gentlemen using old world skills and traditions while adding modern elegant elements. Much of the brands inspiration comes from the 1920s style of dress and lifestyle. Three-piece suits with wide lapels and high-rise trousers. With a deep appreciation for the nostalgia of when getting dressed for every occasion was a daily occurrence the goal is to bring back the art of being a gentleman with timeless looks. We are bringing back chivalry and what being a true gentleman represents.

 

Kiely and Kings Gentlemen set themselves apart because the admiration for the art of “getting dressed.” We believe that there is an artisan aspect to dressing, tailoring, measuring, and designing, and that there is more