The Savannah College of Art and Design is opening a major exhibition dedicated to André Leon Talley. “André Leon Talley: Le Style est Éternel” begins April 1 at SCAD FASH Lacoste in France, following presentations in Atlanta and Savannah.
The show draws from Talley’s personal archive. He left garments, accessories, photographs, and other items to SCAD’s permanent collection, wanting students and visitors to have access to them. The exhibition includes couture, ready-to-wear, and bespoke pieces from his wardrobe, representing designers such as Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, John Galliano for Dior, and others. Looks from Met Galas and front rows are on display. Gowns worn by Anna Wintour, Renée Zellweger, and Lauren Santo Domingo are also included.
The mannequins are custom. SCAD alum Stephen Hayes created a sculpture of Talley, and the mannequins were cast from it. Ephemera from Talley’s archive, including artworks, photographs, letters, and books, round out the presentation.
Talley’s connection to French culture ran deep. He studied French literature at North Carolina Central University and Brown University before moving into fashion journalism. He became Paris bureau chief for Women’s Wear Daily, offering a fresh perspective on French fashion and emerging as one of the first prominent Black voices in international fashion journalism. Later, he became the first Black creative director of American Vogue and served as editor at large from 1998 to 2013.
His relationship with SCAD spanned more than two decades. He served on the Board of Trustees, mentored students, and helped shape the university’s fashion exhibitions program. In 2001, he received the first SCAD Lifetime Achievement in Fashion Award, later named in his honor. Pharrell Williams received it this year.
An accompanying catalogue is out from SCAD University Press and Rizzoli Electa. It includes essays and memories from friends and industry figures including Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, and Pat Cleveland. New photography comes from SCAD alum Allen Cooley, with archive images from Jonathan Becker and Robert Fairer.
“André Leon Talley: Le Style est Éternel” runs April 1 through October 31 at SCAD FASH Lacoste.
