When reflecting on the greats of the fashion industry, a name that will not go unspoken is Andre Leon Talley. It’s not every day that you come across someone who is close friends with Karl Largerfeld, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Yves Saint Laurent. However, Andre Leon Talley was not just someone. He was larger than life itself. With a keen eye for fashion and unique creativity, Talley was a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, it was reported last night that this legend had passed away at the age of 73. At this time the causes are unknown.
Breaking barriers in the 80s and well into the present day, Talley was always a driving force in the fashion world. Learning the importance of luxury from his grandmother and reading Vogue as early as 9 years old, Talley developed a serious love for fashion.
Talley’s Roots
As someone who grew up during the Jim Crow Era, fashion and art became an outlet for escaping reality. Talley attended Carolina Central University earning a degree in French literature. He later received a scholarship to Brown University where he earned a Master’s degree in French Literature as well. Though he was attending school to become a French teacher, his love for fashion took him onto another path.
Before becoming a News Director at Vogue, Andre Leon Talley was an assistant to the famous artist, Andy Warhol. Soon after assisting Warhol, he began working for The New York Times. He served as Vogue’s News Director from 1983-1987. Only a year after ending the position he became creative director for the magazine from 1988-1995.
The Impact of his Work
Even though his role as creative director ended in ’95, his Vogue roots were deep and he was their Editor-at-large until he retired in 2014. Along with all his work at Vogue, Talley also dabbled in many other ventures. Many of you may have seen him on America’s Next Top Model as a judge. He also served as an editor-at-large for the publication Numero, and Paris editor for WWD (Women’s Wear Daily). He also had work in Ebony, Vanity Fair, HG, and Interview Magazine. In more recent years, he was teaching some remote courses for Parson’s School of Design and his book, The Chiffon Trenches became a New York Times Best Seller.
As an African American man, Talley was constantly pushing for inclusivity. There are many stories that speak on how he fought for more women of color to be on the runway. As someone who experienced inequality growing up, life was not always easy. However, Andre came face to face with challenging encounters in the fashion world. Not everyone was as open and kind to Talley as they should’ve been based on excerpts from his memoir and books, but that never stopped him. He always taking on new roles and working hard as one of fashion’s greatest innovators.
Continuing his Legacy
Andre Leon Talley’s work and legacy will not go unspoken. As we continue to honor him, the outpours on social media continue to flood as many remember him for being such a sweet and vibrant soul.
“I’d like to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the lives of young people – that I nurtured someone and taught them to pursue their dreams and their careers, to leave a legacy.”-Andre Leon Talley
Time Out, The Hot Seat: André Leon Talley, August 24, 2009, https://www.timeout.com/newyork/shopping/andr-leon-talley
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