Born and raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, Kenley is the daughter of a tugboat captain and the youngest of three girls. She began her career in fashion at the age of 16, when she started buying vintage clothing and reconstructing them for herself and friends. After graduating from Florida State University with a marketing degree, Kenley found herself in New York City and got a sales job at Missy Wear. It didn't take longer than a week for her to be promoted to a design position where she was able to blossom in the industry. Since then, she has been working on her own line in a small boutique, her Web site and has begun freelancing and teaching in her spare time.