Reprinted from: Poster Fashion
Original title: Poster Library | The man who redefined the fashion circle passed away. How wonderful was his life?
There is such a “giant” in the fashion industry, not only because he is 1.98 meters tall, but also famous in the industry for his unique image, unique aesthetics and frank personality.
Regrettably, he passed away in New York on January 18, 2022, due to complications from a heart attack and COVID-19. He is André Leon Talley.
fashion male devil
André Leon Talley
André Leon Talley is the former creative director of the US version of “VOGUE”, he is the first African-American to hold the position, and in 2020, he was awarded the honor of arts and literature by then French President Nicolas Sarkozy Knight Medal.
André Leon Talley和 Naomi Campbell
While becoming the first African-American male creative director, Andre did not forget to urge designers to get more African-American models on the runway of their fashion shows, and he was also the first to get African-American models on the cover of VOGUE magazine. hero.
For 25 years or more, André Leon Talley has been a frequent visitor to the front row of major fashion shows and a resident guest of MET GALA every year. In 2008, he also “guested” on the red carpet of the Oscars. host.
André Leon Talley and designer Tom Ford
He has his signature hearty laughter, and a variety of “magic shirts”, many of which were custom-made for him by his famous designer friends, including Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld, and Valentino Garavani. . .
André Leon Talley和Jason Wu
Although he is a “big coffee”, he is willing to use his influence to help young designers enter the fashion field to pursue their dreams, provided that he can smell the potential of the younger generation.
Andre is well-connected and well-connected, and cross-border “electric shocks” often occur. In 2008, he made a cameo appearance as a fashion executive in the movie “Sex and the City”, and in the second season of “Empire”, he made a cameo appearance of himself, wearing a A gorgeous oversized cape appears. When commenting on other people’s outfits in person, throw down the sharp words “Out of season” and turn away.
In March 2010, Andre joined the jury of the reality show “America’s Next Top Model” and contributed a lot of sharp and professional golden sentences.
André Leon Talley
1.His life is a novel
Some people describe Andre’s life as Be like: Tony’s origin + Tang’s experience in the fashion circle version of “Green Book”.
Andre was born on October 16, 1948 in Washington, D.C., the son of a taxi driver. Moreover, he grew up with his grandmother who worked as a cleaner.
Andre grew up in an environment where “apartheid defined social boundaries”. “For a long time, my grandmother didn’t allow white people to come into our house, it was her rule, the only white person who came into the house was the coroner,” he said.
However, life outside the home is bound to suffer injustice. “On the way to the grocery store to buy magazines, white college students are teased to throw pebbles” – in his memoir “ALT. : A Memoir.
His fate with fashion is also related to his grandmother, from whom Andre obtained his initial “understanding of luxury” and his yearning for elegance. And when he discovered VOGUE magazine at the local library when he was nine or ten years old, he got out of control.
Andre majored in French at North Carolina Central University, then earned a master’s degree in French literature at Brown University, and after graduating he went to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art as an assistant.
In 1974, he worked as a free assistant for Diana Vreeland, the former editor-in-chief of “VOGUE” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, during which she assisted her in completing a large-scale exhibition.
Because of his impression of him, Diana later helped him find a job in Andy Warhol’s “Interview” magazine, with a weekly salary of $50, every step of the way.
Diana taught Andre the language of clothing, the language of style. Andre said: “Diana speaks like a person in literature, she will challenge you, but she will never give you any mediocre instructions”.
André Leon Talley和 Karl Lagerfeld
André Leon Talley和Yves Saint Laurent
Andre’s first interview with the designer was Karl Lagerfeld, who not only met Lafayette at first sight, but also became friends with Yves Saint Laurent, who has always been introverted and withdrawn.
In 2008, Andre provided styling services for Michelle Obama. He introduced Chinese-American designer Jason Wu to “former first lady of the United States” Michelle. Jason designed several sets of clothing for Michelle, including her in the president. Dress worn at the inauguration.
André Leon Talley
2.Falling in love with “The Devil” Anna
Since he is the soul of “VOGUE”, his “love and hatred” with the female devil Anna Wintour has to be said.
Andre is only a few months older than Anna. Since the 1980s, the two have been on the rise in “VOGUE” together. Anna is the editor-in-chief and Andre is the creative director. They have always been recognized as “golden partners” in the industry.
In the early days, he and Anna created many classics together. In “VOGUE”, although his real power is not as big as the editor-in-chief, most of the articles and shooting plans are supervised by him, and he is the only one in the office who can change Anna decides.
But in the eyes of outsiders, the “Soulmate” who is full of tacit understanding, the real relationship does not seem to be as harmonious and beautiful as everyone thinks…
“She’s a person who can’t do even the simplest kindness, and turns a blind eye to anyone except the celebrities who frequently appear on the covers of VOGUE. You have to be the best in your industry to be her friend. Good job!” – Andre said of Anna in his autobiography last year.
What is the reason for the old friend of many years to turn his face? Anna is said to have asked Andre to lose weight vigorously, both for the sake of her magazine image and for his personal health. The weight loss achieved certain results, but it didn’t take long for Andre to leave “VOGUE”.
Andrei later said that although he was friends with Anna, he was abandoned by her because he was “old, fat, and not cool”.
In 1999, the two held hands and appeared on the red carpet of the Met Gala
There should be another reason for Andre’s break with Anna. He has been hosting the red carpet of the Met Gala. In 2018, he was replaced by Internet celebrity Liza Koshy unexpectedly. He said that he could not accept this, which became the trigger for their parting ways.
In the next few years, Andre went round and round in the circle, but he did not have a stable foothold. While lamenting the great changes in the fashion media, he said that if Anna recruited him back to “VOGUE”, he would still be excited. “Of course, but she’ll never be” (really. BAD).
Just as the prototype of Miranda in the movie “The Queen Wearing Prada” is Anna, and the prototype of Miranda’s capable man Nigel is Andre!
If you have seen this movie, you must be deeply impressed by the plot where Nigel was confident enough to become a partner at the end, but was abandoned by Miranda. The setting of this plot corresponds to reality, and it has to be said that it is really meaningful~
Anna also delivered a eulogy the day after Andrei’s death: “…like many decades-long relationships, there were ups and downs and a little bit of complexity. But today I just want to remember that brilliant, A compassionate man who has been a friend to me and my family for many years.”
No apology, no whitewashing of great friendship, but it can be seen that it is the most real idea – there have been contradictions, but it has passed, and it is enough to remember all the good things in the past!
André Leon Talley
3.what did he bring us
Andre said in the program that his ultimate dream is to let “VOGUE” enter thousands of households. He not only understands women’s and men’s fashion, but also knows how to let everyone enjoy the fashion that suits them.
Fashion media evaluation: Andre is one of the few editors who still has a thorough grasp of fashion history. He can see what the creative inspiration of your work is at a glance, and then predict what else you can come up with.
For the newcomers who are eager to enter the fashion circle, Andre also tries to give everyone some pointers in his autobiography:
1.Learn from past experiences
2.Don’t just study online
3.You can refer to the advice of your predecessors in your design works
4.After graduation, rather than setting up your own product line, it is more recommended to accumulate experience in a large company first
5.learn to listen
6.Don’t choose to screw things up online when you have other options
Finally, in his memoir “ALT. : A Memoir: “I hope this memoir of mine will give you an ‘awakening’ moment of what it’s like to be in a white space and brave the odds.”
André Leon Talley has been shining in the fashion world, he is an Icon type who deserves to be remembered by everyone, thank him for his various contributions, Rest in Heaven.
Image source: Visual ChinaNetwork
Editor: Stacy
Written by: Li Yuli
© Poster Fashion
