Sartorial legend, André Leon Talley, has died at the age of 73. Talley is most known for his time spent as Creative Director at Vogue, the first Black man to hold the position at fashion’s leading publication.
Although Talley was known for being a figurehead in contemporary fashion, his beginnings were removed from the fashion industry, earning his master’s degree in French literature at Brown University. After graduating, Talley apprenticed under Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute. After his time at the Met, he went on to work at Interview, Women’s Wear Daily and the New York Times before landing at Vogue in 1983.
It cannot go without mentioning the way in which Talley was a pillar of support for students and faculty at SCAD. Starting as a member of the Board of Trustees in 2001, Talley was an active member of the SCAD student community. He donated his personal library including photos, artwork, and memorabilia for students to use as research. Talley mentored and reviewed over 50 final collections in the School of Fashion. He used his own personal connections to initiate careers for SCAD students with major fashion houses. His generosity was more than abundant in his involvement with our university.
Talley carried with him a view of the world that has become less and less common in the fashion industry through the years — he rejoiced in what many others thought of as unnecessary. Glamour was not about physical possessions, it was a way of life for him. Frivolity was celebrated, the ridiculous was embraced. His quick-witted personality flew off the pages with everything he wrote, from his articles at Vogue to his most recent memoir, The Chiffon Trenches.
The loss of Talley has already been felt in shockwaves across the industry. He was a man who embodied fashion, art, and luxury in every action he made, every sentence he wrote. Talley was a kid who grew up in North Carolina, with a dream to run around in the upper-echelons of the fashion world. His vision and drive made his wildest dreams come true, he lived a life that was completely and utterly aspirational. His loss is a tragedy to the fashion community and a reminder of the great power that comes with having a strong voice.
Words by Nicholson Baird.
Graphic by Emily Tobias.
Photos courtesy of SCAD.