André Leon Talley, an icon in the fashion industry, died on Tuesday at the age of 73.
According to The New York Times, Talley broke glass ceilings by leaving the segregated Jim Crow South and becoming a key leader in international fashion. He soon became a fashion journalist, author, public speaker, television personality and curator.
A post published from his official Instagram page read, “It is with great sadness we announce the passing of André Leon Talley on January 18, 2022, in New York. Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, longtime creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the world’s fashion bible.”
Talley’s friend Darren Walker confirmed his death, which came after a series of health problems. “André Leon Talley was a singular force in an industry that he had to fight to be recognized in,” Walker said.
The fashion leader was the longtime creative director for Vogue Magazine, breaking cultural barriers in the industry normally dominated by white men and women, CNN Style reported.
He is also no stranger to the big screen, serving as a judge on America’s Next Top Model and the documentary The Gospel According to André, released in 2017, took a dive into his influence.
In May 2020, Talley released a memoir about his life and rise in fashion, called The Chiffon Trenches. In it, he details his journey from his grandmother’s front porch in Durham, North Carolina, to the front rows of fashion’s most elite shows, according to People Magazine.
News of his death quickly circulated on social media, with many reflecting on his impact and legacy.
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