As the DC fashion conscious community mingled outside “A New Line” studio at the Washington Post headquarters, you could feel the excitement building. We were all waiting for fashion icon André Leon Talley.
Talley advising his friend Diane von Furstenburg backstage at one of her fashion shows
Talley, the former editor of Vogue, W and WWD, author of 3 books and host of a Sirius XM radio show was about to be interviewed by Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan in what was billed as an interview about his life and career at the intersection of fashion, politics, business and culture. From the start, he was so engaging I felt like the rest of the audience was not there. Instead, I was sitting with Talley and Givhan in a lounge, listening as they bantered back and forth – such is Talley’s charm and wit. Givhan, for her part, masterfully drove the discussion with her thought provoking and fun questions.
Talley’s Younger Years
As the interview began, Talley discussed his North Carolina roots and the influences of the most important women in his life: his grandmother and Diana Vreeland (former Vogue editor-in-chief and legend) . His stories are so rich in color that you could visualize his grandmother, in her need to have everything spotless (cleanliness is next to godliness), ironing everything including the towels and Talley waxing the floors, including the porch.
You could see the reflection of these rituals and this attention to detail and how it shaped him as he described dressing his father for burial. Like any fashion guru, he stopped off at Bergdorfs in NYC and carefully picked out his father’s funeral attire down to purchasing him a new exclusive cologne for the casket (in addition his father’s favorite cologne Polo).
Talley’s Evolving Style and Advice
He shared his challenges of being bullied and discriminated against in his high school years. Talley shared the evolution of his style as he read Vogue cover to cover twice a month as soon as it was released and how he moved from his neat conservative cashmere sweater in high school (purchased by his grandmother) to wearing purple rouge, tuxedo shirts and tassels moving into his college years.
There was no shortage of fun anecdotes of Diana Vreeland, John Fairchild, Anna Wintour, Manolo Blahnick, Yves Saint Laurent and other fashion leaders.
My favorite piece of advice he imparted was “civility will get you far.” People will remember your manners and your smile…and by the way, it is just good manners to look good!
Andre Leon Talley’s latest and last book “The Chiffon Trenches”
Time to Go
By the time Givahn wrapped up, the audience did not want to let go. Talley patiently waited for ALL of his fans to take a picture with him. Somehow he knew that we hoped that being that close to him – the man who grew up in rural North Carolina and who went to New York City and who made it in the fashion world would somehow inspire our lives.
Today, we know he inspired us and we grieve his passing. Andre Leon Talley was an unabashed trailblazer who made us realize you can become what you dream.
