A Retrospective Timeline of the Inimitable Life and Work of André Leon Talley
Mourning the loss of a legend, GRAZIA combs through a visual timeline of André Leon Talley’s storied and pioneering career in fashion
NEW YORK CITY, NY – FEBRUARY 9: Andre Leon Talley attends Ralph Lauren Fall 2007 Front Row on February 9, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
André Leon Talley was larger than life- and not just because the man stood at 6’6” tall. The revolutionary fashion journalist was audacious and exuberant in his profound proclamations, defining artistry and fashion for over four decades. “Over the top” felt like exactly the right amount of everything he had to offer- from glamorous tales of industry milestones to vivid and vivacious descriptions of some of the most enduring designs. An arbiter of style and a champion of taste, André Leon Talley’s transcendent knowledge and passion for fashion shattered glass ceilings throughout the duration of his life and career.
A fashion icon with a radiant craving for beauty, André Leon Talley‘s unimaginable legacy will remain immortal. Here, GRAZIA reverently looks back at a life well lived, full of creativity and bombastic self expression.
Circa 1970-1972 during his tenure at Brown University
Andre Leon Talley and Naomi Campbell during Tanqueray Sterling Ball – November 9, 1989 at The Sand Factory in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Circa 1991 with Naomi Campbell
LOS ANGELES, CA – 1991: Andre Leon Talley and Naomi Campbell, who is wearing the latest from Italian designer and toast of Paris, Miami and New York, Gianni Versace, greet each other at a 1991 Los Angeles, California, fashion show. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Circa 1994 with Claudia Schiffer and Brandi Quinones
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Brandi Quinones, Andre Leon Talley and Claudia Schiffer attend A Versace fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week in the 1990s in Paris, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)
Circa 1995 with Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala
Andre Leon Talley and Karl Lagerfeld during 1995 Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Circa 1997 with Cher at the Met Gala
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 8: Singer/Actress Cher and fashion editor Andre Leon Tally attend The Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala Mongraphic Exhibition “Gianni Versace” on December 8, 1997 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Circa 1999 with Anna Wintour at the Met Gala
Editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley and Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour attend the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, 1999. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Getty Images)
Circa 2000 with Bethann Hardison
Andre Leon Talley and guest during ‘The Virgin Suicides’ New York Premiere at United Artists Union Square in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Circa 2001 with Diane Von Furstenberg
384941 10: (ITALY OUT) Designer Diane Von Furstenberg and Andre Leon Talley attend a performance of the “Pied Piper” to benefit the American Ballet Theatre January 29, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Liaison)
Circa 2005 with Iman
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 7: Andre Leon Talley and Iman attend MAC Cosmetics Hosts Launch Party for Andre Leon Talley’s Book, ALT 365 at LaGrenouille on June 7, 2005 in NYC. (Photo by Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2005 with Naomi Campbell
Andre Leon Talley and Naomi Campbell during Marc Jacobs Christmas Party – December 13, 2005 at Skylight Studios in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Circa 2005 with Oscar de la Renta
UNITED STATES – CIRCA 2005: Oscar de la Renta & Andre Leon Talley at Talley’s book launch, Bergdorf Goodman, NY – 2005 (Photo by Rose Hartman/Getty Images)
Circa 2005 with Tom Ford
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 3: Tom Ford and Andre Leon Talley attend Estée Lauder Celebrates The Launch of TOM FORD ESTÉE LAUDER COLLECTION at Saks Fifth Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue on November 3, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Erik T. Kaiser/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2005
NEW YORK CITY, NY – DECEMBER 1: Andre Leon Talley attends “The Color Purple” After Party at New York Public Library on December 1, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2005 with Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld and Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley during Chanel Event – New York Collection – December 7, 2005 at 57th Street Boutique in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage for CHANEL)
Circa 2006 with Zac Posen, Sean Combs, and Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell, Zac Posen, Andre Leon Talley and Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)
Circa 2006 with Jennifer Hudson
Andre Leon Talley and Jennifer Hudson during The Cinema Society and The Wall Street Journal After Party for “Dreamgirls” at Soho Grand Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jemal Countess/WireImage)
Circa 2006 with Mariah Carey
NEW YORK CITY, NY – MAY 18: Mariah Carey and Andre Leon Talley attend Karl Lagerfeld FAREWELL TO DAYLIGHT Photo Exhibition at Pace/McGill Gallery on May 18, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Papananias/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2006 with Naomi Campbell at the Met Gala
NEW YORK – MAY 01: Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley (L) and model Naomi Campbell attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala: Anglomania at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 1, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Circa 2006
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 7: Andre Leon Talley attends VERSACE V.I.P. Dinner at 1 Beacon Court on February 7, 2006 in New York. (Photo by Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2007
PARIS – JANUARY 23: Vogue Magazine editor Andre Leon Talley arrives the “Palais of Tokyo” before the Christian Lacroix show, as part of Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on January 23, 2007 in Paris, France. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)
Circa 2009 with Pat Cleveland
NEW YORK CITY, NY – FEBRUARY 20: Pat Cleveland and Andre Leon Talley attend STEPHEN BURROWS Presents Fall/Winter 2009 Collection at DEX New York 224 W. 30th St on February 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by NICK HUNT /Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Circa 2011 with Hamish Bowles
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 17: Vogue’s American editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley and Hamish Bowles attend the Ralph Lauren Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Skylight Studio on February 17, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG)
Circa 2011 with Grace Coddington
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 06: American Vogue Contributing Editor Andre Leon Talley and American Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington attend the John Galliano Ready to Wear Autumn/Winter 2011/2012 show during Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)
Circa 2011 with Manolo Blahnik
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Andre Leon Talley and Manolo Blahnik attend the Liberatum dinner with Andre Leon Talley and Manolo Blahnik at Spice Market restaurant at W London – Leicester Square on March 14, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Circa 2011 at the Met Gala
Andre Leon Talley attends the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.
Circa 2013 at Marc Jacobs’ Fall/ Winter 2013 runway show
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Andre Leon Talley attends the Marc Jacobs Collection Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at New York Armory on February 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
Circa 2014 with Carolina Herrera
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: Desiger Carolina Herrera (L) and Andre Leon Talley pose backstage at the Carolina Herrera fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on September 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)
Circa 2014 at L’Wren Scott’s Memorial Service
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Andre Leon Talley attends the memorial service for L’Wren Scott at St. Bartholomew’s Church on May 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Circa 2014
FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 24: Andre Leon Talley sighting at the Wedding Of Kim Kardashian And Kanye West In Florence at Four Season Hotel on May 24, 2014 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images)
Circa 2015 with Ye (formerly Kanye West)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 16: Andre Leon Talley and Kanye West attend Kanye West Yeezy Season 2 during New York Fashion Week at Skylight Modern on September 16, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Kanye West Yeezy)
