Some of you may only know him because he put that hideous cape on J.Hud and some may recognize him from my fave documentary, The September Issue, but regardless of how you know him Andre Leon Talley (A.L.T.) is unforgettable!!
Andre Leon Talley was born in Durham, NC where he was raised by his grandmother, who gave him his first introduction to luxury. A.L.T. received his master's degree in French from Brown University. While at Brown, Talley befriended students from the nearby Rhode Island School of Design and often went on weekend trips to New York City. His first job in NYC was Andy Warhol's assistant for $50 a week.
In 1988, he was named Vogue's creative director, and wielded tremendous power in the fashion world with that title. He managed to use his position to champion the work of up-and-coming African-American designers, including Stephen Burrows and Patrick Robinson, and also reminded designers that they could stand to add more black models in their runway shows and advertising campaigns. As he told Prada in the Interview piece, "sometimes when I sit and watch a fashion show I get totally wrapped up in what is in front of me, in the fantasy of it and what it might mean to the person who will be wearing the clothes. Then the show's over, and I realize there has not been one person of color on the runway!"
In 2008, Talley advised the future First Family on fashion, and introduced Michelle Obama to Jason Wu, from whom she bought several dresses including her inaugural gown. Andre Leon Talley has earned tremendous power and influence in the fashion world. So many thanks to Mr. Talley. we salute you!
"It's NOT about the trend, it's how you ROCK it"
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