Designer Q&A: Kirby Allison of the Hanger Project

We recently got a chance to sit down with Kirby Allison, the charming mastermind behind The Hanger Project, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what The Hanger Project is and what inspired Kirby to take on those pesky shoulder bumps and crinkled pants...

Where did you get the idea to create your own line of hangers?
During college, I worked during the summer as an Investment Banker in New York. The dress protocol was business formal—yes, that means a suit to work every day. Since we were there only for the summer, we were worked day and night. The City was new to me and I didn’t know a good tailor to whom I could take my suit to be pressed, which it needed since I was wearing it all the time. My ¼ plastic hangers certainly weren't helping the problem, either.

After consulting some internet forums on sources for premium, luxury hangers, I was shocked to realize that there were no reputable hanger companies. Hangers were either plastic, too thin, or not my size. I was surprised to learn that I was not alone. Others, who were spending tens of thousands of dollars on their wardrobes (far from my situation), were frustrated by this same reality.

It was with this that I thought: “Well, if this many people want a good hanger, surely I can have it made.” So I set out on my quest to create the perfect hanger.

How did you come up with that name?
Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project was created during my spare time, at night and on the weekends. I was still working full time as a financial analyst. It originally started out simply as a project to see if I could create the perfect hanger. My ambitions weren’t much larger than filling my own closet with some awesome hangers.

However, the reception I received from my first customers was huge. They kept on asking for more hangers! It was at that point I decided that the project could be come a business, but it needed a name. I spent weeks trying to think of something clever, but, in the end, my roommate suggested I call it what I had been calling it for months: my Hanger Project. After that, it just stuck.

What makes your hangers so unique and special?
Simply: Three different width options, each with 2.5-inch shoulder flares, ensure that the jacket is fully filled out on each end. This essential support is critical to preserving the shape and drape of a finely tailor jacket.

The long answer:  There are a ton of people that make cheap wood hangers. I set out from the beginning to create the best. Our hangers are nothing short of exceptional. Not only handsome—rich wood grain, premium finish, balanced proportion—but they are functional. They actually do make a meaningful difference in protecting and extending the life of garments.

One of our biggest differentiators is the availability of multiple widths. One size does not fit all, and this is especially true when it comes to your hanger. In order to provide a suit or shirt optimal support while hanging in the closet (remember, your garments spend more time there than on your shoulders), the hanger needs to extend all the way to the edges of the shoulders. This is not possible with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Do you have a favorite?
My personal favorite hanger is our felted trouser bar. I have far more trousers and jeans than sport coats and suits. After creating this beautiful solid wood suit hanger, I couldn’t stand looking at the cardboard hangers bowing in my closet, which is why I created this hanger. The felted trouser bar prevents against creasing, so I never pull out my trousers with an embarrassing line across the thigh (which locking-bar hangers will cause). Because of the strength of their construction, I can hang several jeans or trousers on one hanger to conserve closet space, also.

Metal hangers. How do they make you feel?
Metal hangers are embarrassing. Any well-dressed man or woman shouldn’t be caught with them. They are cheap, unsophisticated, and will ruin clothing. They bring back bad memories of dimples in all of my polo shirts!

Describe your closet in three words.
Uniform, organized, and well-hung.

What has been your most memorable moment since beginning The Hanger Project?
By far, the most memorable moment was landing in Brazil after an all-night flight for a Thanksgiving vacation with my girlfriend to learn that we had just been declared an “Enthusiastic Best Overall” by the Wall Street Journal in a glowing review. It put us on the national stage and orders for Christmas roared in during the entire trip!

Running your own company sounds exhausting! What do you like to do to relax?
I have always been a car enthusiast and recently purchased a Cayman S. My girlfriend, who also drives a Boxer, and I have been taking them out to performance driving events at racetracks around Texas. The best way to describe it is like an addiction for anyone that enjoys sports cars.

Favorite indulgence?
Blue Bell Ice Cream

What are your design influences?
My design influences are bespoke tailors—I am absolutely fascinated by the artisanship, skill, and tradition that go into tailoring a great suit. My first tailor in Austin was taught how to sew by his father in Lebanon during the 1930’s. I want my hangers to provoke the same old-world way of doing things well. I want to redefine luxury while honoring the classics.

Do you intend to expand your line into other areas?
We are aggressively expanding our offering of premium men’s and women’s hangers and garment care accessories. In 2009, we will be offering a full line of premium, luxury women’s hangers in addition to dust covers and garment bags.

For those men or women who have not used your hangers and now have those pesky bumps at the shoulders, do you have any insider's tips?
Shoulder dimples (or bumps) are the result of skinny hangers that do not reach all the way to the edge of the shoulder. This is why we offer three suit hanger widths and two shirt hanger widths. Another tip for avoiding shoulder dimples is to hang shirts inside-out. This works best for t-shirts, but won’t help you when it comes to dress shirts and polos.