Noted fashion editor André Leon Talley has died at age 73 due to an undisclosed illness on Jan. 18, 2022. News about his demise was reported by TMZ and was confirmed by TAA PR, according to WWD.
Talley’s fashion journey started in 1974 as an apprentice to former Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland. From that point, he was able to work for numerous fashion magazines like Interview, W, Women’s Wear Daily, and newspaper The New York Times. In 1983, he became the fashion news editor at Vogue, and eventually became the style bible’s creative director from 1988 to 1995, becoming the right hand to now editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. After a brief departure from Vogue, he came back in 1998 as its editor-at-large until 2013.
Apart from his works in the fashion media industry, Talley also appeared as a judge for the reality competition series “America's Next Top Model,” and published several books, including the memoir “The Chiffon Trenches.” Last year, he was honored with France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
His four-decade journey in fashion was as colorful and bold as his style choices. Among his close friends were legendary designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino Garavani. Through a post, fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg paid tribute to the late fashion creative force saying, "Goodbye darling André. 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 so much.”
Rest in power, ALT!