Vogue, a tailor, and a photographer.

In late April, I was having a long-overdue with a colleague of mine. In anticipation of the Dandy-inspired Met Gala ball, she had found herself unknowingly in the spotlight. She was featured in Vogue. Yes, that Vogue. The article, a deep dive on the impact of tailors across the world. Little did she know that an article she had written and photographed would land her on the magazine that Carrie Bradshaw proudly skipped meals for. A photo she took sometime ago was the leading image. The man featured is a Birmingham-based tailor named Robert Hill. He stands no taller than 5’5, but he’s a giant in the business. He’s done personal work for lauded UA Coach Gene Stallings, ESPN host Paul Finebaum, and many more.

The crazy part of the situation is she didn’t even know she checked a milestone of the journalism checklist. Someone had to reach out and say “Did you know you’re in vogue?”. We laughed over the course of a 30 minute call before she suggested that I visit him.

“He really is the sweetest,” she said.

I had planned on going to take photos for myself, but the passion shoot turned into a job.

Like kismet, I got a call from my editor. The publication was running a story on the local Dandys of Birmingham. Naturally, as vogue-featured tailor, Mr. Hill was on my photo call list. I’ve photographed my share of Grammy and Oscar winners, but how do you follow up a guy who’s last feature was in Vogue?

Robert Hill of Robert Hill Tailors is nothing less than kind. After a few rounds of phone tag, I finally was able to lock in a date. His shop is tucked in the boonies of downtown Birmingham across the street from Seasick Records. The shoot, which took no less than 30 minutes, was a masterclass of showing don’t telling. When you first walk in, a wall is adorned with photos of his previous high-profile clients. I found myself asking all the questions about his audiences with former Mayors and entertainment personalities.

However, Mr. Hill is very reserved person. Halfway through our shoot, one of his secretaries walked in his working office with a small cake and a bouquet of helium filled balloons. It was his Birthday. I photographed a man who was recently featured in Vogue on his Birthday. Like I said, Kismet, right?