Vogue features Birmingham’s Robert Hill Custom Tailors

If you’re a regular reader of Vogue, you may have noticed a familiar local face in the fashion and lifestyle magazine’s recent article, The Black Tailors Who’ve Kept Dandyism Alive for Decades. Featured prominently in the cover image was Robert Hill, founder and owner of Birmingham’s Robert Hill Custom Tailors.

Robert Hill Custom Tailors: A Birmingham Original since 1983

Birmingham native Robert Hill opened his eponymous tailoring shop in 1983, but custom suits and fine clothing have been a passion of Hill’s for as long as he can remember.

“I always enjoyed wearing fine clothing; problem was, I got into tailoring. I was small—about a 27-inch waist—so I took up tailoring. I started learning at the vocational school in 1961, and I opened by own shop in 1983.”

Robert Hill, Founder and Owner, Robert Hill Custom Tailors

For over forty years, Robert Hill has altered clothes for his loyal customers—including the likes of Mayor Richard Arrington Jr. and Paul Finebaum—out of the same space at 2205 3rd Ave N. in downtown. Although Robert Hill Custom Tailors recently moved to a new location at 712 32nd St. S., the quality of Robert Hill’s work as not changed.

“We do major and minor alterations; some people need their suits slimmed up or tapered down, while others might want to take an older suit and modernize it.

But we’re very proud of the quality of work that we do; I’ve been in business for 40 years and I have a reputation, so I’m very particular about my work.”

Robert Hill, Founder and Owner, Robert Hill Custom Tailors

Robert Hill Custom Tailors featured in Vogue

Robert Hill Custom Tailors was recently featured in a Vogue article titled The Black Tailors Who’ve Kept Dandyism Alive for Decades, written to honor Black tailors from around the country in advance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style and the 2025 Met Gala.

“To be featured in an established magazine of that quality was really an honor. The author told me, ‘I’ve talked to some other tailors, and you’ve probably been in business the longest!’

Robert Hill, Founder and Owner, Robert Hill Custom Tailors

In addition to Robert Hill Custom Tailors, the Vogue article featured several other Black tailors from around the country:

• Tony Stovall and Cliff Green of Hot Sam’s Detroit | Detroit, MI
• Joseph Caldwell of TailoRite Cleaners | Chicago, IL
• Betty Grimes of Betty’s Alterations & Tuxedo | St. Louis, MO

Visit Robert Hill Custom Tailors in Birmingham

• Robert Hill Custom Tailors: 205.252.0353
• Address: 712 32nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Hours: 8AM-5PM, Monday-Friday

If you need a suit altered—or you’re looking for a brand new, quality bespoke suit—you can’t go wrong with Robert Hill Custom Tailors. The shop is open from 8AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday, and you can call ahead at 205.252.0353 with any questions.

Excited to see Robert Hill and Robert Hill Custom Tailors featured in Vogue? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!