André Leon Talley, a scholar of fashion history, often engaged with its satirical lens. At a party on May 4, 1976, to celebrate Carrie Donovan’s promotion to VP of communications for Bloomingdale’s, Talley channeled the “Gay Nineties” era. The event was held at Calvin Klein’s New York City apartment.
Luxury was a hallmark of André Leon Talley’s style. In 1979 serving as Women’s Wear Daily’s Paris Bureau Chief, he was photographed standing confidently beside a luxury car on the streets of New York. His poised stance captured both his commanding presence in fashion and the world that inspired him.
Manolo Blahnik and André Leon Talley were known to have a great friendship, extending to the collection of shoes Blahnik designed especially for Talley over the years. Here they attend the W Magazine dinner party for Kate Moss at Matsuri and Lux Studios in New York City on September 9, 2003, with Talley in custom alligator sandals designed by Blahnik for the occasion.
André Leon Talley began refining his style during his early days at Women’s Wear Daily. At a Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Benefit at Christies in 1979, he wore a sharply tailored suit—an early favorite from H. Huntsman & Sons or Morty Sills—paired with a Louis Vuitton tote, hinting at his future love affair with iconic designer labels.
Oscar de la Renta, Paula Wallace and André Leon Tally, 2001.
André Leon Talley attends the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on December 7, 1998. Talley’s white mink coat over casual sportswear, infused luxury with streetwear, a fashion category he championed.
SCAD Savannah Fall 2025 Exhibitions, “André Leon Talley: Style is Forever”.
André Leon Talley’s custom-made Roger Vivier shoes on view at SCAD Museum of Art.
Attending the 1999 Harvard AIDS Institute gala at New York’s Plaza Hotel, André Leon Talley made a dandy statement in a tuxedo cape jacket with sleeves lined in red silk. He paired the striking piece with red pants, red Manolo Blahnik suede boots, a black cravat and lace shirting—an ensemble only he could imagine.
Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci black silk cape for André Leon Talley on view at SCAD Museum of Art.
André Leon Talley made a dramatic entrance at the Balenciaga Paris party at Barneys New York on September 8, 2006, wearing a black Givenchy cape and custom black rhinestone-buckled Roger Vivier shoes.
Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy black silk caftan with train on view at SCAD Museum of Art, 2025.
In 2006, André Leon Talley centered his style around a group of Prada animal skin coats and sportswear looks befitting of the era. Here, he wears a red alligator topcoat over a custom black Juicy Couture track suit to attend Behnaz Sarafpour’s fall 2006 runway show in New York.
“André Leon Talley: Style is Forever” on view at SCAD Fashion Museum, Atlanta, 2025.
André Leon Talley and designer Diane von Furstenberg attend Vanity Fair’s party for the opening of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival at the Supreme Courthouse in New York City. Talley, never one to hide his political viewpoints, wore a custom black ensemble with an Obama family pin designed by Kimora Lee Simmons.
André Leon Talley attends Gucci’s UNICEF dinner at the Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room on November 19, 2008. Talley would wear this Kimora Lee Simmons black ensemble emblazoned with the slogan “The New American Dream” repeatedly throughout the first Obama Presidency.
Kimora Lee Simmons’ black ensemble and Chanel jacket on view at SCAD Atlanta fall 2025 exhibitions, “André Leon Talley: Style is Forever”.
Balenciaga cape, Ralph-Lauren suit, Charvet-shirt and Roger Vivier shoes ensemble on view at SCAD Museum, 2025.
By 2011, André Leon Talley’s capes had become an iconic part of his persona—especially on the red carpet. For the Met’s Costume Institute “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibition opening gala, he wore a bright blue Balenciaga cape over a Ralph Lauren suit, Chavret shirt and red ostrich leather shoes by Roger Vivier—a regal nod to McQueen’s British heritage.
Savannah College of Art and Design President Paula Wallace with André Leon Talley at SCAD museum, fall 2018.