André Leon Talley, a fashion journalism legend who served as creative director and editor-at-large at US Vogue, died on Tuesday in a hospital in White Plains, New York. He was 73 years old at the time. The reason of death was not immediately known.
David Vigliano, Talley’s literary agent, confirmed his death to USA Today. Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and critic for the New York Times, also paid tribute to Talley, calling him “a towering figure, in every sense.”
Farewell Andre Leon Talley. A towering figure, in every sense.
— Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) January 19, 2022
Talley’s tenure at Vogue in the 1980s and 1990s was essential in defining the magazine’s reputation as one of the most famous voices in the fashion world. From 1983 to 1987, Talley worked as Vogue’s news director before becoming the magazine’s creative director in 1988. Throughout his tenure at Vogue, Talley collaborated closely with the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. After seven years, he was promoted to Vogue’s editor-at-large, a position he held until 2013. Talley’s fashion journalism career lasted six decades, with his work appearing in Women’s Wear Daily, W, and the New York Times.
Among Talley’s many contributions, his campaign for more Black voices among designers and models was a major force in bringing diversity to the catwalk. Talley was an instantly recognizable presence at all occasions, often dressed in flowing robes and caftans. Talley was also a prominent person in the LGBTQ+ movement; while he did not specifically define his sexuality, he described himself as “fluid.”
Talley was born on October 16, 1948, in Washington, D.C., and was raised mostly by his grandmother in Durham, N.C. He earned a bachelor’s degree in French literature from North Carolina Central University in 1970 and a master’s degree in the same field from Brown University.
Talley began her career as an apprentice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1974 before moving on to Women’s Wear Daily, where she eventually became the Paris bureau head. Talley later worked for W for five years before going on to the New York Times. He began his work at Vogue in 1983, beginning with a four-year stint as fashion news director before becoming the publication’s creative director in 1988. Following a brief return to W, Talley rejoined Vogue as editor-at-large until his final departure from the publication in 2013.
Talley coached the soon-to-be-elected Obama family on fashion in the run-up to the election, working with designer Jason Wu. Through his television appearances, Talley grew in popularity as a public personality. He was a red carpet correspondent at gala events and a judge on “America’s Next Top Model.” He was the subject of the 2017 documentary “The Gospel According to André,” which followed his life after leaving Vogue.
Talley has written three books, two of which are memoirs. He also co-wrote “MegaStar” with Richard Bernstein in 1984. His most recent book, “The Chiffon Trenches,” describes his feud with Wintour as well as his encounters with prejudice while working in the fashion industry.