Fashion icon and journalist, André Leon Talley, has passed away at the age of 73. The former Vogue editor reportedly died while being treated at a White Plains, New York hospital on Tuesday.
Born in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 16, 1948, Talley grew up in the care of his grandmother, Binnie Francis Davis. He attributes his sense of style, trend-setting influence, and futuristic vision to his maternal grandmother. Throughout his childhood, fashion was his passion and he would feed that passion by visiting Duke University to buy fashion magazines and post his favorite pages on the walls of his bedroom. Those off the record moments manifested into a dream career that spanned over five decades.
Once an aspiring teacher who obtained a Masters in French Literature, Talley started his career as the Paris Bureau Chief at fashion trade journal Women’s Wear Daily in 1975. The role led to opportunities at fashion magazine W, The New York Times, Andy Warhol’s Interview, and eventually, Vogue, making Talley one of the first African Americans to work at the publication.
Talley, who was hired by fashion icon Anna Wintour, moved up the corporate ladder at Vogue, where he served in the capacity of the Fashion News Director, Creative Director, and Editor-At-Large, a role he held from 1998 to 2013.
Standing at six feet and six inches tall, Talley had a bigger than life personality, often sporting glamorous elongated statement pieces, such as designer capes and dramatic coats, sitting front row at the fashion shows, and visiting Paris. His life is documented in the 2018 film The Gospel According to André.
His extensive resume includes styling the Obamas, judging talent on America’s Top Model, and being a constant staple at the Met Gala. Talley, who has visited several fashion institutes to share his story and secret to success, was big on research once saying that the skillset garnered him an opportunity to work with Karl Lagerfeld.
“Karl Lagerfeld and I became great friends, we still are, and the only reason that we became friends is that I had done my homework and research,” Talley said. “Which is very vital in anything in life. Do not go anywhere having not researched.”
Rest in peace to a fabulous trailblazer.
Photo courtesy of @SquireFox
