Influential fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley, Vogue’s first black creative director, died Tuesday in New York at the age of 73.
The influential fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley, the first black creative director Vogue, He died Tuesday in New York at the age of 73, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram account.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Andre Leon Talley,” the statement said, without specifying the cause of death.
“Over the last five decades as an international icon, he was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg and loved discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers”.
Born in Washington in 1948, Talley was largely raised by his grandmother in Durham, North Carolina, and took an interest in fashion from an early age.
“Every Sunday I would cross the railroad tracks into the prosperous area of Durham and buy Vogue Y Harper’s BazaarI used to go back to my grandmother’s house and read my magazines.” told the British newspaper The Guardian in May 2020.
“That allowed me to get away from sexual harassment and abuse and enter a beautiful world,” He said.
Talley studied French in college, earning a master’s degree from the prestigious Brown University, after which she began practicing fashion journalism.
After working on the magazine Interview by Andy Warhol, Women’s Wear Daily, W and a brief period in The New York Times, Talley joined Vogue as director of fashion news in 1983, the same year its now editor-in-chief joined., Anna Wintour.
It was the beginning of a three-decade association with the publication, where he served as creative director, contributing editor and finally general editor until his departure in 2013.
“A beacon of grace”
A flamboyant and imposing figure in the fashion world, Talley promoted black designers and pushed for more diversity on the runway.
In addition to her work as a fashion journalist, Talley served as a jury member on America’s Next Top Model and also appeared in episodes of Sex and The City Y Empire.
He wrote three books, including his memoirs, The Chiffon Trenches, a 2020 bestseller detailing his famous fight with the powerful boss of Vogue, Wintour.
“Like many relationships of decades, there were complicated moments”, Wintour said in a statement after learning of the death. “But all I want to remember today, all that matters to me, is the brilliant and compassionate man who was a generous and loving friend.”
Other leading figures from the fashion and entertainment industry also paid tribute to him.
“Goodbye dear Andre… nobody saw the world in such an elegant and glamorous way as you”said the veteran designer From Furstenberg and Instagram.
“No one was more moving and grandiose than you. The world will be less cheerful. I’ve loved you and laughed with you for 45 years. I miss your loud screams… I love you so much.” he added.
The Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis posted a picture of her and Talley on Twitter, and wrote: “RIP Andre Leon Talley. Rest well, King.”
The playwright of Slave Play, Jeremy O. Harris, also dedicated a few words to him. “For a little black gay boy reaching for the stars from the south, there were few people I could look up to up there among the stars who looked like me, except you, Andre.”, he tweeted.
“For an entire generation of children, Andre Leon Talley was a beacon of grace and aspiration. R.I.P.” (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
