André Leon Talley, the legendary former creative director of Vogue, passed away yesterday at the age of 73.
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Talley’s literary agent David Vigliano confirmed Talley’s death to USA TODAY late Tuesday. Additional details were not immediately available.
Talley’s Instagram account confirmed his passing early this morning, along with a beautiful tribute noting “over the past five decades as an international icon [Talley] was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, Bethann Hardison, Manolo Blahnik and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers.”
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As iconic as his 6-foot-6 stance and flowing robes, his advocacy for diversity in the fashion industry made Talley the legend he is and will be remembered for. He encouraged top designers to include more Black models in their shows, and helped shape Vogue as the editor-at-large. “I never separated from my Blackness,” he once told Essence. “My Blackness is what made me.”
Talley has also been considered an LGBTQ icon, though he never officially defined his sexuality, calling himself “fluid” in a 2018 interview with Wendy Williams.
We at GO are heartbroken over losing such a force, but are grateful to have been on earth at the same time as a true legend.
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