Few figures have shaped fashion like André Leon Talley. As the first Black creative director of Vogue, he brought intellect, glamour, and cultural depth to every page. His work alongside icons such as Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and Diana Vreeland transformed fashion into a narrative art form.
“Style Is Forever” at SCAD FASH
Now his brilliance lives on in André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever, a new exhibition at SCAD FASH in Atlanta. Curated by Rafael Brauer Gomes and Antoine Gregory, the show features 70 garments and personal treasures — from bespoke couture to intimate keepsakes — celebrating Talley’s lifelong passion for style.
The opening on October 15 drew guests including Law Roach, Raúl López, and Pharrell Williams, who received the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award. The show will tour SCAD’s campuses in Savannah and Lacoste and is accompanied by a Rizzoli book and documentary film.
His Bond with SCAD
Born in Durham, North Carolina, Talley shared a long relationship with SCAD, mentoring students and bringing fashion luminaries like Marc Jacobs and Miuccia Prada to the university. After his passing in 2022, curator Gomes reimagined a planned exhibition, uncovering Talley’s vast archive filled with art, books, and couture pieces from his home in White Plains.
Inside the Exhibit
Among the highlights: a silver Fendi coat worn to Karl Lagerfeld’s Halloween party, custom Chanel shirts designed by Lagerfeld himself, Roger Vivier rhinestone flats, and flowing caftans. Mannequins modeled after Talley’s frame bring him to life, while his voice fills the gallery — “Believe in yourself, keep the dream alive, and work hard.”
The Spirit of Style
Beyond the clothes, the exhibit includes letters, dinner notes, and personal mementos. “He wore his Blackness with pride,” said cocurator Antoine Gregory. Style Is Forever captures not only Talley’s style, but his vision, generosity, and belief that fashion is a reflection of the soul.
