Joe Casely-Hayford was born in Ghana in 1956. His family moved to London when he was a child. He worked as an apprentice to a Savile Row tailor before enrolling at the Tailor and Cutter Academy in 1974. In 1975, he joined Central St. Martin's School of Art, for a one-year History of Art course.

Joe then joined the music industry and became well-known as a designer of clothing for rock groups. Demand for his clothes off-stage resulted in freelance contracts as well as commissions for costumes for both theatre and film. In 1992, he dressed U2 for their world tour.

He launched his own label in 1984 for menswear, followed by womenswear a year or two later. He showed his debut collection at London Fashion Week in 1986 and his first menswear show in Paris a decade later. Street style elegance combined with sharp tailoring and masterly technique has ensured that Joe Casely-Hayford has an following who appreciate his functional and cutting edge clothes and his club culture influence.

In 1993, Joe started designing for Top Shop, the first in a long line of designers to collaborate with high street brands.

In October 2006 Casely-Hayford joined Gieves and Hawkes, arguably England 's finest tailors. Gieves & Hawkes has only slightly changed course in its 235 years of trading and Casely-Hayford has included several new techniques inspired by the company's archives. Not just a stuffy monarch's tailor or designing bespoke suits for dull diplomats, the total image and creative vision of the house is of beautifully made, bespoke clothing, one that would suit any gentleman.

His high-profile clientele include Liam Gallagher, Lou Reed, Tori Amos, Neneh Cherry, Suede, Glamma Kid, Lynden David Hall, Mica Paris and U2.