Andre Leon Talley.Photo: getty
Like so many Black trailblazers,André Leon Talley, whodied on Tuesdayat age 73, accomplished a lot of firsts. He was a rare Black editor and journalist at the top of a field that has been known for its lack of diversity.
However, the famed writer and formerVoguecreative director, who joined the publication in 1983 as the magazine’s first fashion news director, had his own complicated view of his groundbreaking accomplishments.
Having grown up in Durham, N.C., where his mother often left him under the care of his grandmother, Talley dared to dream big, keeping his southern roots at the center of his career.
Cindy Ord/Getty
After starting as a news director, Talley quickly rose to creative director and assumed a role as editor-in-chiefAnna Wintour’s right-hand — a position he held from 1987 to 1995. He leftVoguein 1995 and moved to Paris, where he returned toW Magazineafter working at the publication earlier in his career.
He continued contributing toVogueas an editor until he rejoined the magazine in 1998 full-time as the editor-at-large, writing the monthly column,Style Fax. He stayed in this role until his final departure fromVoguein 2013.
“My story is one Black man’s experience in an insulated world,” Talley shared withe PEOPLE in 2020. “I was succeeding because I had been trained to succeed. As a young, African American Black man, I was trained. I did not think of myself as a Black man succeeding, I thought of myself as a human being succeeding. I was smart.”
He added: “As Judge Judy says, ‘They don’t keep me here for my looks.'”
Andre Leon Talley, Anna Wintour.Rose Hartman/Getty
Over his career, Talley also contributed toWomen’s Wear Daily, The New York Times,andInterview Magazine. He is also the subject of the documentaryThe Gospel According to André, which was released in 2018. In May 2020, he released a memoir about his life and career, titledThe Chiffon Trenches, which chronicles his improbable rise from the front porch of his grandmother’s home in Durham to the front rows of fashion.
Talley’s impact is undeniable, and he has undoubtedly opened the door for several other Black voices in the fashion industry and beyond, many who have opened up about his impact since his death on Tuesday.
“I had never experienced such a prolific person serving up a rare mix of fashion ‘fabulousness’ and real down-home southern comfort love until I met @AndreaTalley,“Tyra Bankswrote alongside a photograph of the late journalist on Wednesday. Talley famously joined Banks as a judge for a few cycles ofAmerica’s Next Top Model.
“Being in his presence was so magical. He made me smile, laugh and was a masterful teacher — a generous, genius historian,” Banks continued. “Scholar, colleague, effervescent spirit, legend…you are resting now, Dearest André. But your spirit, your ‘je ne sais quoi’, your VOICE - your laugh, your screams of effervescent, delightful joy…I hear it now. And will forever. We all will.”
Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of BritishVogue, also paid tribute to Talley, sharing a sweet photo of himself smiling widely alongside Talley andNaomi Campbell.
“R.I.P dearest Andre,” he began. “Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.”
Tracee Ellis Ross, who was honored with the style icon award at the 2020 People’s Choice Awards, posted a slideshow of photos, praising Talley for being “grand and glamorous.”
“André Leon Talley. You were grand and glamorous, complex and marvelous. Capes, caftans and style. A trailblazer. It was so exciting seeing you somewhere. I would run across a room to say hello. I am sad you are gone. You changed things and brought us all so much. A true original. Rest In Peace!” Ross wrote.
Designer Christopher John Rogers shared several throwback photos on his Instagram Story, adding a red heart emoji over a black-and-white snapshot of the late writer.
“To the legend of all fashion legends, I am eternally grateful to have known you and witnessed your brilliance in person. Rest in Peace King,” wrote designer Carly Cushnie.
Renowned makeup artistPat McGrathshared: “I was deeply saddened when I heard of the untimely passing of the legendary Mr. André Leon Talley. Irrepressible, intelligent and iconic, André blazed trails and opened doors. I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. May he Rest in Power.”
source: people.com
