Black Hollywood and the fashion industry at large are taking to social media to mourn the loss of Vogue‘s former creative director and icon himself, André Leon Talley.
Talley’s impact in the fashion industry is truly unparalleled, as he managed to break boundaries in a glaringly white arena. Talley was creative director of Vogue magazine from 1987 to 1995, working alongside Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. He would go on to help dress First Lady Michelle Obama, mentor Naomi Campbell, and more.
When speaking of Talley while confirming his passing, Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, said, “André Leon Talley was a singular force in an industry that he had to fight to be recognized in,” per The New York Times. Talley passed away at 73 years old “after a series of health struggles.”
Whoopi Goldberg, who was a good friend of Talley’s, took to Twitter with a tribute for the late fashion icon. She wrote, “…Just in time for the front line at fashion week in Heaven, Mrs Vreeland,Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld ..and now Andre Leon Talley. R.I.P. Unforgettable in every way…”
