Three years after the death of André Leon Talley, the former Vogue editor-at-large is back in pop culture as the catalyst for the Met’s new exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
In addition to having some of his fashion items on display in the Costume Institute, Talley’s style inspired several of the designs worn by celebrities at the Met Gala including the Bollywood actress Kiara Advani. One of his closest friends, Naomi Campbell, speculated Monday how he would have been “happy with glee and the life of the party” had he lived to see such an homage. More importantly, many will learn about Talley and not just his style and career.
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Recalling how she and Talley went to Lagos, Nigeria in 2019 for the African premiere of “The Gospel According to André,” the supermodel said a lot of people insisted that he would cancel beforehand. “I said, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ He was in a wheelchair, but he came,” Campbell said. “It was his first time in sub-Saharan Africa. The memory that I keep close to my heart is how all the kids loved him. He had on his big caftan and all of the kids were sitting around him just listening to him intently.”
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The young creatives in Nigeria followed him wherever he went, and some stayed friendly with Talley and later visited him in New York, where they threw dinners and he hosted them. “It was a genuine love affair. Nigeria loved him and he loved Nigeria,” Campbell said. “He was a dream. He gave them energy and they gave him energy.”
Acknowledging how Talley overcame all kinds of barriers that are unimaginable to some, Campbell said, “I am sure. I am sure. What’s most important is that these young creatives from around the world, whether they are able to be at the Met Gala or are not able be there, know who André is and they know his contribution to our industry. Tonight will spread that message even wider. André will now be a permanent reference on fashion and his legacy will live on.”
Excited for the young new creatives who are able to go to the Met, Campbell said, “that’s what’s most important. It’s huge for the culture. And I heard the Met Gala raised the most ever for the Met.”
After learning that this year’s tally is a record breaker at $31 million compared to $26 million last year, Campbell said, “I don’t ever want to hear that Black doesn’t sell. We sell. That’s absolutely amazing. I know so many people from all over the world including young designers who have never been there and have found a way to get their tickets to be there,” Campbell said.
She continued with her voice cracking, “That makes me feel proud as a Black woman. I don’t want to cry, but as a Black woman, who is in this industry for 39 years, I feel proud to see this happen. It makes me feel that all we have worked for, strived for, spoken up for and fought for was not done in vain. For that, I am happy.
“Years after Talley worked at the Costume Institute for Diana Vreeland, he referenced her. Even when I was working with him in my 20s, he would say, ‘This is how Mrs. Vreeland would do it,’” Campbell said, adding that “he loved, that he kept those traditions that he learned from Vreeland and that he shared them.”
Recalling shooting a “Gone with the Wind”-inspired story with Talley and Karl Lagerfeld years ago at The Ritz, Campbell said, “Karl liked to shoot at night — it was so much fun. Manolo Blahnik was my horse and sleigh guy, John Galliano was in it and Gianfranco Ferré. André would always say, ‘Now Mrs. Vreeland would do this and Mrs. Vreeland would do that.’ I loved that he kept those traditions and passed them on.”
Beyond who Talley was as a person and what he accomplished, Talley also supported young Black models, Campbell said, “André was extremely supportive of me. I will always be eternally grateful. We had to show his documentary every day that we were in Nigeria, because we couldn’t fit all of the people.”
Intent on making sure that her own two young children will know what role Talley played in her life, Campbell said she purchased several pieces that belonged to Talley at Christie’s 2023 auction. “I was on the phone nonstop. It was important for me to get something that I could share with my kids. They have something of his, as I do. And I have my memories.”
Counter to some erroneous media reports that suggested Campbell’s absence was due to an ongoing feud with Vogue’s Anna Wintour, a Met Gala co-chair, Campbell said she is honored to be invited to the Met Gala year after year, including this year. Although she had been invited by at least four brands, she was unable to attend. “It’s been a day of misinformation, but I’m good,” Campbell said. “This year I was unable to make it, but I will be there in spirit. And I will be cheering. I can’t wait to see all of the amazing creations tomorrow.”
Asked for comment, Wintour’s camp had nothing to declare Monday night. Sources said that Wintour has nothing but respect for Campbell.