André Leon Talley, former creative director for Vogue (seen here in Studio 54 in 1979) has died at the age of 73.<br />
André Leon Talley, former creative director for Vogue (seen here in Studio 54 in 1979) has died at the age of 73.
Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images
Talley was considered a fashion titan, having worked in the industry for almost 50 years.
Talley was considered a fashion titan, having worked in the industry for almost 50 years.
Clint Spaulding/Sipa USA/McMullan/Sipa USA
In 2010, he joined Tyra Banks as a judge on the reality competition series "America's Next Top Model."
In 2010, he joined Tyra Banks as a judge on the reality competition series "America's Next Top Model."
Barbara Nitke/Cw Network/Kobal/Shutterstock
Talley was a longtime collaborator and friend of Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Talley was a longtime collaborator and friend of Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Evan Agostini/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
He moved in star-studded social circles, regularly mixing with fashion-forward celebrities, including Cher. Here the pair is seen attending the Met Gala in 1997.
He moved in star-studded social circles, regularly mixing with fashion-forward celebrities, including Cher. Here the pair is seen attending the Met Gala in 1997.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
He has been a near-permanent fixture at the Met Gala since 1974.
He has been a near-permanent fixture at the Met Gala since 1974.
Alamy
Hallmarks of Talley's personal style included billowing capes and kaftans made from eye-catching colors.
Hallmarks of Talley's personal style included billowing capes and kaftans made from eye-catching colors.
Evan Agostini/AP
Talley's taste in fashion was flamboyant and fun. Tom Ford, Valentino and Karl Lagerfeld were among those who designed kaftans for him.
Talley's taste in fashion was flamboyant and fun. Tom Ford, Valentino and Karl Lagerfeld were among those who designed kaftans for him.
Sebastien Micke/Paris Match/Getty Images
Designer Vera Wang was a close friend and confidante of Talley's; he once described them as being "like barking dogs" when together.
Designer Vera Wang was a close friend and confidante of Talley's; he once described them as being "like barking dogs" when together.
Steve Wood/AP
In 2020, Talley wrote a memoir called "The Chiffon Trenches" about his life lived on fashion's front lines.
In 2020, Talley wrote a memoir called "The Chiffon Trenches" about his life lived on fashion's front lines.
Jemal Countess/WireImage
Despite being a world-class fashion authority, Talley once described the industry a "vicious, cruel beast."
Despite being a world-class fashion authority, Talley once described the industry a "vicious, cruel beast."
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Karl Lagerfeld and Talley had reportedly known each other since 1975. In a remembrance essay for Vogue after Lagerfeld's death in 2019, Talley said the designer was both a close friend and a mentor.
Karl Lagerfeld and Talley had reportedly known each other since 1975. In a remembrance essay for Vogue after Lagerfeld's death in 2019, Talley said the designer was both a close friend and a mentor.
Jemal Countess/WireImage
Talley's fashion legacy moved with the times. In 2016, he became known for sporting exaggerated, statement puffer jackets like this one designed by Norma Kamali.
Talley's fashion legacy moved with the times. In 2016, he became known for sporting exaggerated, statement puffer jackets like this one designed by Norma Kamali.
Ike Edeani/The New York Times
In 2017, he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in honor of his contribution to the fashion industry. Receiving the recognition was the "best day of my life," he said in an Instagram post.
In 2017, he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in honor of his contribution to the fashion industry. Receiving the recognition was the "best day of my life," he said in an Instagram post.
Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock