Andre Leon Talley was an American fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, and author whose towering presence and fearless personal style made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the fashion world. Born on October 16, 1948, in Washington, D.C., and raised largely by his grandmother in Durham, North Carolina, Talley developed an early fascination with fashion and culture that would propel him from the American South to the upper echelons of the international style establishment.

Talley earned a master's degree in French literature from Brown University before launching his career in fashion journalism. He got his start working alongside Andy Warhol at Interview magazine, and went on to hold positions at Women's Wear Daily, W, Ebony, and The New York Times. His encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history and his sharp editorial instincts quickly set him apart, and in 1983 he joined Vogue as the magazine's fashion news director, a role he held until 1987. In 1988, he became the magazine's first African-American male creative director, serving in that capacity until 1995, and later returned as editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.

Throughout his career, Talley was a passionate champion of emerging designers and a vocal advocate for diversity in an industry long criticized for its exclusivity. His trademark look, defined by sweeping capes, kaftans, and robes, made him a fashion icon in his own right. Beyond his editorial work, he served on the judging panel for America's Next Top Model from Cycle 14 through Cycle 17, bringing his expertise to a mainstream television audience. He also worked as a stylist for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their time in the White House, and famously styled Melania Trump for her 2005 wedding to Donald Trump.

Talley authored three books, including Little Black Dress, the memoir A.L.T.: A Memoir, and The Chiffon Trenches, which landed on The New York Times Best Seller list. He also co-authored a book with Richard Bernstein. In 2013, he served as editor-at-large of Numéro Russia but resigned in protest of anti-LGBT laws in Russia. He was featured prominently in the documentaries The First Monday in May and The September Issue, and became the subject of the documentary The Gospel According to André, directed by Kate Novack.

His contributions to fashion and culture earned him significant recognition. In 2020, France awarded him the Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and the following year he received the North Carolina Award for his role in literature. Andre Leon Talley died on January 18, 2022, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering voice in fashion journalism and a trailblazer for diversity in the industry.