After engineering studies at Stony Brook University, Manhattan native Alexander S. Kabbaz, 58, began his professional career at Harpers’ Magazine.

Leaving journalism in 1977, Kabbaz sought a more hands-on business and entered the field of bespoke clothing. In the 30+ years since, Kabbaz Kelly & Sons Custom Clothiers, which Kabbaz runs with partner and wife Joelle Kelly, has become widely hailed as one of the world's premier custom shirt studios. Rising to prominence as creators of Michael Douglas’s shirts for the movie “Wall Street”, the firm solidified their top position with clients such as Tom Wolfe, Leonard Bernstein, and Cary Grant.

Closing his Madison Avenue shop at the turn-of-the-century, Kabbaz moved the business to the family estate in East Hampton, N.Y. Using the remaining Zimmerli stock from the New York store, the firm expanded into e-commerce. In the decade since, Kabbaz-Kelly has attained a top position as a respected online retailer of only the world’s best furnishings and accessories.