7 NYC Designers Let Me in on Their Address Books—The Tailors, Cobblers, and More They Have on Speed Dial

New York City’s fashion designers have an army of experts behind the scenes ensuring their garments and accessories are flawless down to the last stitch. From skilled tailors to master cobblers, these artisans are the unsung heroes who bring designers' visions to life and keep their creations looking pristine. Recently, I chatted with top New York City based designers, and they revealed the go-to professionals they rely on for everything from tailoring and alterations to shoe repairs and getting out the toughest stains.

These trusted specialists are the ones designers have on speed dial and who they call in to handle everything from last-minute runway fixes to personal wardrobe touch-ups. Each one is known for their craft, and their skillset can make the difference between a piece that’s good and one that’s exceptional. In a city brimming with fashion, it’s these artisans—often operating quietly behind the scenes—who help define what it means to be truly well-dressed in New York.

The Best Tailors, Cobbers, Dry Cleaners, and Seamstresses In New York:

Best Tailors —

Jeeves: 1318 Madison Avenue, New York, New York

Best Shoe and Leather Repair —

Leather Spa: 28 John Street, New York, New York

Yakub Shoe Repair: 229 Sullivan Street, New York, New York

Best Dry Cleaners —

Hallak Cleaners: 1232 2nd Avenue, New York, New York

Rachel Scott Shares Her Neighborhood Favorites

Name: Rachel Scott

The Brand: Known for its Jamaican-inspired crochet designs, Diotima is a brand to know if you like wearing something jovial and distinctive. Founder and Creative Director Rachel Scott won the 2023 CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year award, so be sure to keep your eye on what she does next.

Home Base in NYC: Chinatown/Bed Stuy

Best Cleaner: Jeeves (1318 Madison Avenue, New York, New York)
"I trust them with the most difficult jobs and they never disappoint." — Scott

Best Shoe Repair: Leather Spa (28 John Street, New York, New York) and Yakub Shoe Repair (229 Sullivan Street, New York, New York)
"I go to the Leather Spa to clean and refresh the leather in my shoes and leather accessories, and I go to Yakub Shoe Repair for repairing my shoes. Leather Spa is quite fancy, and Yakub Shoe repair is old-school NYC. Both are great!" — Scott

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Veronica Beard Co-Founders Share the Person to Ask for at Their Cleaners

Name: Veronica Miele and Veronica Swanson

The Brand: Two sisters-in-law redefined what workwear looks like when they founded Veronica Beard, creating versatile pieces that can be worn in more ways than one. There's always something new to discover from the brand that you're going to want to wear again and again.

Home Base in NYC: Upper East Side

Best Cleaner/Tailor: Hallak Cleaners (1232 2nd Avenue, New York, New York)
"Ask for Jack at Hallak Cleaners for tailoring." — Miele

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Brandon Blackwood Shares the Best Tailor in Bed-Stuy

Name: Brandon Blackwood

The Brand: A born-and-raised New Yorker, Brandon Blackwood is a must-know name in the handbag space, creating It designs that have been seen on everyone from Beyoncé to the everyday fashion collector. If you're looking for the type of bag to complete an outfit, this is the brand to know.

Home Base in NYC: Bed Stuy

Best Tailor: Teodoor Tailor (246 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York)
"They're one of the few places I'll have tailor my prized pieces. The attention to detail and care is next-level, and they work so fast." — Blackwood

Best Cleaner: Warely Wu Laundry (353 Waverly Avenue, Brooklyn, New York)
"I use them for my regular laundry pickup/dropoff, but they'll also pick up your pieces for dry cleaning and drop them back. I've had them remove red wine and makeup stains from several garments. They're the best." — Blackwood

Best Shoe Repair: Magic Joe Shoe Repair (500 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York)
"I've known these guys since I was 12. They're my neighborhood cobbler/shoe repair, and they've helped me on many brand-related projects when no one else could do the job. Tell them Brandon sent you, and he'll hook you up with a good price." — Blackwood

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Veronica De Piante shares the best dry cleaner for pickup and delivery

Name: Veronica De Piante

The Brand: If you're a quality-over-quantity shopper, Veronica De Piante needs to be the next designer you discover. The brand uses high-quality Italian materials to create some of the most beautiful pieces you'll want to wear again and again.

Home Base in NYC: West Village

Best Tailor: Alteration Specialist (89 Fifth Avenue #901, New York, New York)
"Alteration Specialist has always been my go-to tailor, being a quick walk from my home in New York and having multiple locations. I've found it a convenient and reliable company. They are always so accommodating and honest. If they feel something will compromise the garment in any way, they will let you know. That is so important to me." — De Piante

Best Cleaner: Meurice Garment Care (535 Manida Street, Bronx, New York)
"My preferred dry cleaner, which offers pickup and delivery service in Manhattan. They perform quality work with a quick turnaround time. When I first moved to New York, I went through quite a few trial and errors, until they were recommended to me by a friend who works in a high-end brand." — De Piante

Best Shoe Repair: Jim's Shoe Repair (60 East 59th Street, New York, New York)
"This is a family-owned business since 1932, which goes beyond repairing shoes. Although they do specialize in that service, they also repair bags, jackets, and more. Any time I have needed to repair, resole, or restore a pair of shoes, or a bag or a leather garment, they have done the absolute best work. I would recommend this business to anyone in Manhattan looking to repair their items or bring them back to life. I have taken shoes to them that I thought were beyond repair, not wanting to let go of them, and each and every time I was never disappointed!" — De Piante

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Golden Goose's CEO shares the best in-store tailor and cobbler

Name: Silvia Merati

The Brand: Born in Marghera, Italy, using traditional Venetian craftsmanship, Golden Goose knows Italian leather well. Its flagship in New York specializes in care for any leather goods in your closet.

Home Base in NYC: Brooklyn Heights

Best Tailor and Shoe Repair: Golden Goose (468 Broome Street, New York, New York)
"Our Soho Forward location has in-house tailors and cobblers who repair and remake all of my footwear and garments. The services are offered for all brands and not just Golden Goose." — Merati

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Rentrayage's founder shares the best place for alterations in West Village

Name: Erin Beatty

The Brand: Upcycling gets a new name when it's at the hands of Rentrayage, a brand dedicated to making use of its French name that means "make whole again." Based in New York, each design feels like a breath of fresh air.

Home Base in NYC: West Village

Best Tailor: Alteration Concept (129 Perry Street Floor C, New York, New York)

Best Cleaner: MBJ Dry Cleaners (176 West Houston Street New York, New York)

Best Shoe Repair: Leather Spa (28 John Street, New York, New York)

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Marina Moscone shares the best place for last-minute leather fixes

Name: Marina Moscone

The Brand: This artful luxury brand is known for making classic designs with impeccable tailoring and abstract draping done by hand. Marina Moscone's pieces are designed in NYC with luxurious materials that you'll want to wear again and again.

Home Base in NYC: West Chelsea

Best Tailor: Marina Moscone HQ (214 West 39th Street, New York, New York)
"I wouldn't dare take my clothes anywhere else in this town!" — Moscone

Best Shoe Repair: Hector's Shoe Repair (11 Greenwich Avenue, New York, New York)
"This guy can do anything including dye a set of leather belts the night before a runway show!" — Moscone

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