Former Vogue creative director Andre Leon Talley has died at the age of 73.
The “indomitable” fashion designer and journalist died on Tuesday in New York, a statement from his representatives confirmed.
“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear friend and client, the indomitable Andre Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York,” TAA PR said.
“Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, long time creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the world’s fashion bible.
“Over the past five decades as an international icon was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers”.
As a fashion journalist, he worked at Women’s Wear Daily and Vogue and was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe.
His byline also appeared in other publications including Vanity Fair, HG and Interview, and he was the editor of Numero Russia.
Tributes have poured in from the fashion industry and beyond.
Actress and supermodel Milla Jovovich lamented the loss of a “force of nature” in her tribute and said she felt “lucky” to have encountered him multiple times in her career.
“Andre Leon Talley was such an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans I’ve ever met,” she said.
“Always there with the most beautiful smile and open arms, he was so sweet and kind, always so gracious and I imagine the term ‘fierce’ was coined after meeting him.
“I feel so lucky to have been embraced in his warm glow so many times in my career, because good people are few and far between in this business and you’re much more likely to meet a scowl when going places than his ever present, all encompassing loveliness.
“I send you so much love Andre. It was an honor and a privilege”.
Belgian designer Diane von Furstenberg said no one was “grander and more soulful”.
Sharing a picture of him she wrote: “Good bye darling Andre.
“No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did…no one was grander and more soulful than you were
“The world will be less joyful. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years…. I miss your loud screams …I love you soooo much”.
US costume designer Arianne Phillips, known for her work on films including Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, said Talley was a “larger than life icon”.
She wrote on Instagram: “Andre Leon Talley trailblazer ,dapper gentleman , fashion editor ,writer, journalist with a singular voice -his witty repartee , larger than life icon .
“Always so kind and funny , his contribution to fashion and culture is one for the history books . Such sad news to hear of his passing. Rest In Power Andre”.