André Leon Talley

Infobox Celebrity
name = André Leon Talley


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caption = André Leon Talley, 2006
birth_date = 1949 (age 58)
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occupation = Editor-at-large of "Vogue" magazine
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website = [http://www.myspace.com/andreleontalley André Leon Talley] on MySpace
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André Leon Talley (born October 16, 1949) is the editor-at-large for "Vogue" magazine and has been a front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan for more than 25 years. [ (2003-05-14). [http://wamu.org/programs/dr/03/05/14.php The Diane Rehm Show] (html). WAMU 88.5 FM. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] He uses his influence to promote dozens of young fashion designers. He mentors young talent in other fields as well. His most famous pairings of late have been with designers Tracy Reese, Rachel Roy, and singer/actress Jennifer Hudson. He is known as a very close friend of pop diva Mariah Carey and Tennis star Venus Williams. In 2007, he was ranked 45th in Out Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America".Oxfield, Jesse, Idov, Michael (March 4, 2007), [http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/04/out_ranks_the_top_50_gays_ande.html ‘Out’ Ranks the Top 50 Gays; Anderson Is No. 2] , New York Magazine.] He also worked with young fashion designers such as John Saldivar. [ [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-168325445.html NOUVEAU NICHE.(fashion designers) ] Retrieved June 28, 2007.]

Talley also has an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Savannah College of Art and Design, where he also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Biography

Talley was raised in Durham, North Carolina by his grandmother Bennie Davis, who he says gave him an "understanding of luxury." After graduating from North Carolina Central University, Talley received his master's degree in French from Brown University. While at Brown, Talley befriended students from the nearby Rhode Island School of Design and often went on weekend trips to New York City. He is associated with former American "Vogue" editor-in-chief and Costume Institute consultant, Diana Vreeland.

In the mid 2000's, an intervention was initiated by Anna Wintour, to get Talley to lose weight. As seen on "The Oprah Winfrey Show", he eventually lost a great deal of weight, and was eating healthier.

Books

Talley wrote an autobiography entitled "A.L.T.: A Memoir", published in 2003.cite book | last =Talley | first =André Leon | authorlink =André Leon Talley | title =A.L.T. A Memoir | publisher =Villard | date =2003-04-08 | location = | pages =256 | isbn =0375508287]

He also authored "A.L.T. 365+", an art monograph designed by art director Sam Shahid, published in 2005. "365" features photos and captions from one year in the life of André Leon Talley. [cite book | last =Talley | first =André Leon | authorlink =André Leon Talley | title =A.L.T. 365+ | publisher =powerHouse Books | date =2005-07-19 | pages =240 | isbn =1576872408]

Popular culture references

*Edward Rugoff and Michael Gottlieb, the writers of the 1987 romantic comedy film "Mannequin", based the character of Hollywood Montrose on Talley.
*The Nigel character in Lauren Weisberger's novel "The Devil Wears Prada" is loosely based on Talley. [cite news | last =Betts | first =Kate| title = Anna Dearest | work=Books | publisher =The New York Times | date =2003-04-13 | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507EED61F39F930A25757C0A9659C8B63 | accessdate =2007-04-24]
*Talley made an appearance on the MTV reality series "The Hills".
*Talley made a cameo appearance in Mariah Carey's video Say Somethin'.
*He appeared in E! TV show "Mariah Carey Uncut", as her companion to her album celebration at New York's Cippriani restaurant.
*He appeared in as himself.

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/andreleontalley André Leon Talley's Personal MySpace Page]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0848147/ André Leon Talley on IMDb]
* [http://thinkexist.com/quotes/andre_leon_talley/ Quotes from André Leon Talley]
* [http://www.papierdoll.net/fashion.php?ID=312 A.L.T. 365+ Review]