Fashion world mourns 'trailblazer' former Vogue creative director Andre Leon Talley
Former Vogue creative director Andre Leon Talley has died aged 73.
The “indomitable” fashion designer and journalist died on Tuesday in New York, his representatives said in a statement.
During a career spanning five decades he befriended big names in the fashion world including Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Paloma Picasso.
“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear friend and client, the indomitable Andre Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York,” TAA PR said.
“Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, long time creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the world’s fashion bible.
“Over the past five decades as an international icon was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers”.
Unscripted - Listen to the ITV News Podcast
'A force of nature, an incredible artist'
As a fashion journalist, he worked at Women’s Wear Daily and Vogue and was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe.
His byline also appeared in other publications including Vanity Fair, HG and Interview, and he was the editor of Numero Russia.
Tributes to Talley poured in from celebrities and his contemporaries in the fashion industry.
Actress and supermodel Milla Jovovich lamented the loss of a “force of nature” in her tribute and said she felt “lucky” to have encountered him multiple times in her career.
“Andre Leon Talley was such an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans I’ve ever met,” she said.
“Always there with the most beautiful smile and open arms, he was so sweet and kind, always so gracious and I imagine the term ‘fierce’ was coined after meeting him.
“I feel so lucky to have been embraced in his warm glow so many times in my career, because good people are few and far between in this business and you’re much more likely to meet a scowl when going places than his ever present, all encompassing loveliness.
“I send you so much love Andre. It was an honor and a privilege”.
Belgian designer Diane von Furstenberg said no one was “grander and more soulful”.
She wrote: “Good bye darling Andre. No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did…no one was grander and more soulful than you were.
“The world will be less joyful. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years…. I miss your loud screams …I love you soooo much”.
US costume designer Arianne Phillips, known for her work on films including Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, said Talley was a “larger than life icon”.
She wrote on Instagram: “Andre Leon Talley trailblazer, dapper gentleman, fashion editor, writer, journalist with a singular voice -his witty repartee, larger than life icon .
“Always so kind and funny , his contribution to fashion and culture is one for the history books . Such sad news to hear of his passing. Rest In Power Andre”.
US designer Marc Jacobs said he was “in shock” at the news of Talley’s death.
“You championed me and you have been my friend since my beginning.Our chats, the moments we shared… oh my friend.
“You and your passions were larger than life. I love you and I will miss you dear Andre."
US actresses Kerry Washington, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer also posted online tributes to Talley.
Washington joked that the afterlife would be “just too fabulous” following Talley’s death.
“Oh Andre! Heaven is not ready for you darling!” she wrote on Instagram.
“The whole afterlife is going to be just too fabulous now. Ugh! You blessed us! Sir! You blessed us with your charm and wit and your taste for the exceptional.
“You will shine so brightly from the heavens that we will know what true stardom looks like.
“And we will gaze up at you always. In awe. And with gratitude. Rest In Peace”.
“I am sad to hear of Andre Leon Talley’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones,” Spencer wrote on Twitter.
“RIP Andre Leon Talley. Rest well King,” said Davis.