Legendary Fashion Icon André Leon Talley

André Leon Talley was the former editor-at-large and Vogue creative director. Known for his larger-than-life personality and for being one of the first black people to enter the highest rank of fashion. Talley acted as one of the fashion industry's most influential trendsetters. 

André Leon Talley, the son of William C. Talley, a taxi driver, and Alma Ruth Davis, was born October 16, 1949, in Washington, D.C. Talley was raised by his grandmother Bennie Frances Davis, in Durham, North Carolina from the time he was two years old. He credits his grandmother for his uncommon aptitude for fashion. When he was a teenager he frequently visited the library where he discovered Vogue magazine and became an advent reader of the publication.

After graduating high school Talley would begin his college career at North Carolina Central University. During his time at NC Central, he gained a scholarship to Brown University where he would earn an M.A. in 1973 in French Studies. Talley originally wanted to teach French, but then he decided to enter the world of fashion. After working as an assistant for Andy Warhol he became the editor-at-large for Vogue magazine. Talley would be known to criticize high fashion brands for excluding women of color from shows. 

• A timeline of his work

  • In 1984 Talley co-authored a publication containing portraits of celebrities known as Megastar, with Richard Bernstine. 

  • In 2003 published his autobiography, A.T.L. A Memoir and would create a follow-up book in 2005 called A.T.L. 365+

  • In 2008 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Savannah College of Art and Design where he was on the board of trustees.

  • In 2009 he appeared in documentaries “The September Issue” and “Valentino: The Last Emperor”.

  • In 2011 The André Leon Talley Gallery opened at the Museum of Art part of the College at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

  • In 2012 Talley publish “The Little Black Dress”, a book containing a selective overview of about sixty little black dresses from eminent fashion houses.

  • In 2014 Talley became the Artistic Director for Zappos Couture and assist with re-designing the website which will include a new look and original content.

Source:

Phelps, N. (2022, January 19). André Leon Talley, the Pioneering Vogue Editor, Has Died at 73. Vogue. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.vogue.com/article/andre-leon-talley-obituary

Wheeler, A. (2022, January 23). André Leon Talley: Mentor in Chief. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/21/style/andre-leon-talley-mentor-in-chief.html#:%7E:text=Mr.%20Talley%20is%20widely%20celebrated,being%20charitable%20with%20his%20access.

F. (2020, February 27). André Leon Talley. Fashionabc. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.fashionabc.org/wiki/andre-leon-talley/