Long-serving Vogue editor André Leon Talley has passed away aged 73.
The industry heavyweight had a fashion career spanning five decades in which he worked at Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, then acted as Paris editor for Women’s Wear Daily before spending years working with Anna Wintour at US Vogue, first as creative director then as editor-at-large.
As a fashion insider he not only chronicled the inner machinations of the industry via his three memoirs, but also befriended many of fashion’s big names, from Diana Vreeland, with whom he worked at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, to Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
And fellow editors, designers, models and other members of the industry have paid tribute to Talley as “larger than life” and “an unapologetic force in fashion.”
“He was fashion,” said Donna Karan on Instagram. “There will never be another André. He was larger than life and his passion for fashion was like no other.”
“No one saw the world in a more elegant and glamorous way,” said Diane Von Furstenberg. “No one was more soulful and grander than you were…the world will be less joyful now. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years…. I will miss your loud screams and your loyal friendship…I love you soooo much.”
Actress and model Milla Jovovich described him as a “force of nature… an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans I’ve ever met.”
While American It-girl Olivia Palermo agreed he was: “An unapologetic force within fashion, the world became a little less fabulous today.”
British fashion stylist Fran Burns described him as: “An absolute legend in every single way,” while London-based fashion journalist Osman Ahmed described him as “our legendary uncle who blazed a trail for us (still) few to be here today — and always the epitome of elegance.”
“No one told a story like Andre Leon Talley,” said American journalist Derek Blasberg. “His inflection, his intonation, his hand gestures: He could spin a fairy tail out of a ruffle or a sleeve. He breathed fashion. He broke barriers in this industry. He was original, funny, biting, ornate, and utterly fabulous. As a Vogue intern in college, he gave me my first break, and I’ll never forget his kindness and encouragement.”
R.I.P dearest Andre,” wrote British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful. “Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.”
