André Leon Talley Always Lived Glamorously

The article pays tribute to the pioneering fashion editor André Leon Talley, who passed away at 73. It revisits a 2013 interview where Talley shared his insights into interiors and provided advice on living a fabulous life. While widely recognized for his contributions to fashion, including his front-row presence, eloquent speech, and distinctive caftans, Talley harbored a profound passion for interior decorating. Talley's fascination with interiors originated in his childhood in Durham, North Carolina, particularly after witnessing Jackie Kennedy's televised White House tour in 1962. This event introduced him to the world of fine linens, specifically Porthault, and ignited his appreciation for antiques and high-quality furnishings, a passion he maintained throughout his life, including owning Porthault linens. In the 2013 interview, conducted by ELLE DECOR executive editor Ingrid Abramovitch, Talley discussed his decorative tastes and memorable experiences. He characterized conversations about fashion or decorating as being filled with superlatives such as “Marvelous! Extraordinary! Over-the-top!” He recounted visiting São Schlumberger’s unforgettable 18th-century Parisian townhouses, which featured stainless steel library floors, tortoise-shell-inlaid walls, and a disco with a lit-up floor in the basement. Talley also praised Karl Lagerfeld’s decorating prowess, mentioning Lagerfeld’s former Paris mansion, adorned with 18th-century furniture and rugs from Versailles, and his more contemporary flat featuring Sue et Mare furniture and modernist sofas. He also shared his experiences with elegant entertaining, highlighting Oscar and Annette de la Renta’s impeccable dinner parties, where every detail, from flowers and food to porcelain and silver, was perfect. He noted the welcoming scent of simmering apples, cinnamon, and spices at their Connecticut home. Surprisingly, Talley also lauded Whoopi Goldberg as an exceptional hostess, describing her china cabinet as unparalleled and her Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings as visual feasts. Regarding his work with *Numéro Russia* magazine, Talley spoke of its creative freedom. His first cover story featured Naomi Campbell, who, with her then-boyfriend Vladislav Doronin, commissioned a Zaha Hadid-designed house outside Moscow that resembled something from *The Jetsons*, with its main bedroom situated high like a moon launch pad. He also expressed admiration for the humble yet beautiful onion-dome churches found in Russian villages. Talley found solace and balance after moving from New York City to White Plains, New York, seeking the tranquility of trees and birds reminiscent of his North Carolina childhood. He recalled his grandmother’s home, where wealth was measured in love, church, and family, and remembered scrubbing the porch, which was kept so clean it reflected one’s image. His bed, a black ebonized four-poster designed by Oscar de la Renta, was his most cherished possession, dressed in luxuriously priced D. Porthault sheets, embodying his belief that a well-dressed bed is the ultimate daily luxury. He maintained a guest room but rarely allowed guests to stay, desiring perfection for visitors but lacking the time to prepare it. For splurges, Talley suggested Manolo Blahnik shoes to enhance a little black dress and a Calvin Klein cabled Hampton alpaca-and-cashmere throw for the home. He also noted his fondness for homes featured in classic Hollywood films, such as the chintz room in *The Philadelphia Story* and Jean Harlow’s boudoir in *Dinner at Eight*, while cautioning against becoming a “victim of your rooms,” citing *Harriet Craig* with Joan Crawford as an example of being trapped by excessive fabulousness. #AndréLeonTalley #FashionEditor #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeDecor #CelebrityHomes #FashionIcon #DesignPhilosophy #PersonalStyle #AndréLeonTalley #FashionEditor #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeDecor #CelebrityHomes #FashionIcon #DesignPhilosophy #PersonalStyle

48 months ago

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