Kirby Allison
Kirby Michael Allison (born April 1, 1983) is an American YouTuber and entrepreneur. Allison is best known for his YouTube channel, Kirby Allison, on which he produces videos that concern menswear and cigar related subjects, which he stylises as 'Quality, craftsmanship and tradition'. He is also the founder of The Hanger Project, later renamed as KirbyAllison.com, an online shop that sells menswear and cigar accessories, as well as other luxury items.
Early life and education
Allison was the middle child of three. He was raised in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas. During his time at Westfield High School, he participated in student government and received the "Mustang of the Year" award in his final year. He later graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Business Honors and Finance, as well as a BA in Economics. He was a member of the Tejas social club.
Career
Following his graduation, Allison began his career as a financial analyst for FTI Consulting in Dallas, Texas. During this period, he developed a luxury wooden suit hanger as a secondary venture. After The Wall Street Journal awarded his product an "enthusiastic best overall" rating in November 2007, Allison transitioned to managing his business, The Hanger Project, on a full-time basis. The company has since been rebranded as KirbyAllison.com.
The brand distinguished itself as the first luxury wooden hanger collection marketed directly to consumers. Wall Street Journal writes that Allison had managed to "turn the lowly clothing hanger into a luxury product". The product line has earned features in prominent publications such as Esquire, Robb Report, and The Rake. Over time, Allison expanded the company’s offerings to include premium garment and shoe care accessories. Allison was the first U.S. retailer to carry Saphir Médaille d’Or, eventually becoming the brand's largest global distributor. Esquire describes his offerings as some of the finest polishes available for leather goods.
In 2015, Allison launched a YouTube channel, which at the beginning was dedicated to shoe and garment care tutorials. Since its launch, the channel has expanded to feature a broad spectrum of content, including full-length documentaries, tutorials, interviews, and travel segments. The ethos of the channel is on the exploration of quality, craftsmanship and tradition.
In 2021, The Rake Magazine named Allison one of its "Rakes of the Year." Editor Tom Chamberlin noted that the accolade recognizes individuals who embody elegance, charm, and strength of character.
In 2023, Allison was nominated as 'Habanos of the Year' in the category of communication.
References
:Category:Living people :Category:American YouTubers