Fashion trailblazer and Vogue Creative Director, Andr\u00e9 Leon Talley has passed at age 73. Talley transitioned Tuesday at a hospital in White Plains, NY after being hospitalized for a variety of health complications. His death was confirmed by close friend and president of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unmistakable force in fashion – Talley stood at an impressive 6’6″ tall – and climbed his way to the top of the fashion world, contrast to his beginnings in Durham, North Carolina. Graduating from North Carolina Central University with a degree in french studies and a master’s from Brown University, Talley seamlessly switched his love of the French language to haute couture fashion, by working for Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art\u2019s Costume Institute in 1974.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has a resume that even Miranda Priestly would find envy in – working under Andy Warhol at Interview<\/em> magazine and with John Fairchild at Women’s Wear Daily<\/em> – only to become friends with Anna Wintour in the early 80’s, which led to his relationship with the iconic fashion publication Vogue<\/em> magazine. He was key to the magazine’s visual direction all the way into the 90’s, starting as the news director and soon climbing to the coveted position of creative director from 1988 to 1995. He was the first African American male creative director at the publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talley, an anomaly in a white-washed, rail-thin model railroaded field at the time, worked to make the runway and world of fashion more inclusive, by pushing for more representation on Vogue<\/em> covers and by advocating for black designers. He received more mainstream attention when he joined Tyrah Banks’ wildly popular model search reality show America’s Next Top Model<\/em> as a judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walker, who was with Talley in his last days, was quoted in The New York Times<\/a> as saying, \u201cAndr\u00e9 Leon Talley was a singular force in an industry that he had to fight to be recognized in,\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Known for his capes, caftans and colossal sunglasses, Mr. Talley will live on as a fashion juggernaut who changed the face of fashion for all who met him and for those of color he paved a well-dressed road to walk down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RIP<\/a> Andr\u00e9 Leon Talley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See some of Hollywoods reaction, below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fashion\u2019s elegant giant has fallen. Emancipated from the troubles of this world. Land softly and safely my friend into the loving arms of Almighty God. Known for his deep erudition in fashion history and his myriad friendships with some of the most influential figures, Andr\u00e9 Leon Talley was one of the most recognizable faces and beloved figures in the industry, and beyond. https:\/\/t.co\/s9aQaEq47I<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PZ1NY3E44P<\/a><\/p>— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) January 19, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Wow we are just losing our icons! Andre\u2019 Leon Talley was Legendary! RIP KING!! pic.twitter.com\/yIBMx7Fs3a<\/a><\/p>— Leslie Jones \ud83e\udd8b (@Lesdoggg) January 19, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Dearest Andr\u00e9 Leon Talley Infinitely Quotable , such a beautiful man \ud83d\udc94 Farewell Andre Leon Talley pic.twitter.com\/sUaqGsQ878<\/a><\/p>— Cree Summer (@IAmCreeSummer) January 19, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rest in Power and Grace, Andre Leon Talley\ud83d\udc51 pic.twitter.com\/OPId0UNI7t<\/a><\/p>— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) January 19, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Our bosom friend you are an icon.\u2060
Your belief in fashion was so important.\u2060
Thank you for your support.\u2060
Treasuring the time spent with you in Savannah years ago.\u2060
May you rest in peace.\u2060
\u2060
Vivienne Andreas pic.twitter.com\/sCr4JORoYX<\/a><\/p>— Vivienne Westwood (@FollowWestwood) January 19, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n