Kai D. + 440 Gentlemen Supply

Posted on September 07, 2014 by Kai D. Fan

Derek Keller was searching for a pair of leather suspenders when he founded 440 Gentleman Supply. "I could not find what I was looking for," he says, "so I decided to try to make it myself." One item led to another, and before he knew it, 440 Gentleman Supply was in business.

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, 440 Gentleman Supply pulls inspiration from vintage menswear, vintage motorcycles, and mid-century modern architecture. "I think much of my inspirations from the same idea as the modernist architecture: clean simple lines, minimal, geometric." It's perfectly convenient then that North Carolina has the third largest concentration of modernist homes!

Derek begins the design process by creating a usable prototype. "Different leathers act in different ways, so it's important to use the right thickness, finish, etc." After testing the prototype, Derek tweaks the design if needed before using the pattern for additional pieces.

Every 440 Gentleman Supply item is completely handmade and most of the leather is sourced from the Horween Tannery in Chicago, one of the oldest tanneries in the United States. The philosophy behind the brand? Handcrafted, manful goods for the modern gent in search of bold, classic style. "I pride myself on making everything by hand, and I'm comforted knowing I could keep producing even if the power went out."

We're currently carrying a range of products by 440 Gentleman Supply, including tie clips, notebooks, dopp wraps, and suspenders.