There aren’t many like André Leon Talley. The former creative director of Vogue (and the first African American male one at the publication), the late journalist and stylist (who died in 2022) paved the way for many to break through the notoriously exclusive fashion industry’s margins.
His fashion sensibility, distinct yet timeless, followed suit. And now, in a live New York sale from Feb. 15 through Feb. 17, Christie’s is offering pieces from his personal fashion collection, alongside artworks, home wares, and beyond. “He was categorically chic, and the collection that he amassed throughout his life was unlike any other,” said Elizabeth Seigel, Christie’s head of Private & Iconic, in a statement. “We are beyond thrilled to steward this group of objects from his homes, a selection that showcases Talley’s endless love for all things beautiful. From monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks, to custom Tom Ford caftans, each lot is imbued with meaning and linked to his larger-than-life persona and legacy, which continue to inspire us all.”
While the auction will offer his iconic ready-to-wear (he was really the king of the couture caftan), some of Talley’s most personal possessions and his jewels, will also hit the block.
From larger-than-life, extravagant gemstone crosses to designer cuffs, Talley’s jewels not only celebrate his personal aesthetic but also fashion through the ages.
Offered on behalf of his estate, all proceeds from the sale will go toward the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City and the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, N.C.
The executor of the estate, Alexis Thomas, said in a statement: “I am thrilled to partner with Christie’s in the sale of the collection of my dear friend André Leon Talley. André was an intellectual and held a lifelong dedication to social justice and a pioneering vision for Black creators and luminaries. André saw his collection of beautiful objects, laden with fashion history, as his legacy, and it’s an honor to ensure that its sale will benefit the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and Mount Sinai Church in Durham. As we embark on a global tour with the collection, we hope to bring the magic of André Leon Talley into the lives of those who have long admired him.”
Top: A portrait of André Leon Talley, titled La Villa Vigie and inscribed “with love to André,” taken by the late Australian photographer Alice Springs (aka June Newton) in 1989, with a presale estimate of $2,000–$3,000.
Photos courtesy of © Christie’s Images Limited 2023
Follow me on Instagram: @anniedwatson
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
