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Some of the world’s biggest stars have paid tribute to legendary fashion journalist André Leon Talley following his tragic death aged 73.

According to TMZ, Talley died at White Plains Hospital in New York on January 18 from an unknown illness.

The devastating news about Talley – who made history when he became the first African American creative director of Vogue in 1988 – was shared on his official Instagram page on January 19…

“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of André Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York,” the statement began, which was the caption to a black and white picture of the former Vogue creative director.

“Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, longtime creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the world’s fashion bible. Over the past five decades as an international icon was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, Bethann Hardison, Manolo Blahnik and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers.

“His byline appeared in Vanity Fair, HG, Interview, Ebony and Women’s Wear Daily and he was the editor of Numero Russia. Mr. Talley wrote several books, including Valentino, A.L.T.: A Memoir, A.L.T. 365+ and Little Black Dress for Assouline, and contributed to Valentino: At the Emperor’s Table and Cartier Panthère.

“He was the subject of the documentary The Gospel According to André and his recent memoir, The Chiffon Trenches became a New York Times Best Seller. In 2014, he was named artistic director of Zappos Couture, and he has been on the Board of Trustees of Savannah College of Art and Design since 2000.

“Mr. Talley was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Republic in 2020 and the North Carolina Governor’s award for literature in 2021. He was a long-standing member of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church. #thechiffontrenches”

Many fashion designers, fashion icons, Hollywood stars, and other famous faces shared their condolences on social media…

British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful wrote: “R.I.P dearest André. Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way,” followed by a broken heart emoji.

Diane von Furstenberg took to Instagram and said: “No one saw the world in a more elegant and glamorous way than you did. No one was more soulful and grander than you were. The world will be less joyful now. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years…. I will miss your loud screams and your loyal friendship…I love you soooo much.”

“I am sad to hear of André Leon Talley’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones,” Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer tweeted.

Kim Kardashian wrote: “Love you André” on her Instagram Story, followed by a broken heart emoji, along with a photo of herself holding hands with him at the 2018 CFDA Awards.

“I’m sorry to say the extraordinary #AndréLeonTalley has died,” Bette Midler wrote on Twitter. “He was such a force, & believed in the magic of Fashion & its illusions with all his being. His life was a saga of great highs, great lows, the dramatic, the ridiculous, and the endless pursuit of beauty. Love & RIP,” she added.

Zendaya was among the many stars who reposted a photo of him on her Instagram Story, while Leslie Jones took to Twitter to write: “Wow we are just losing our icons! André’ Leon Talley was Legendary! RIP KING!!”

André Leon Talley will always be remembered as a trailblazer in the fashion world, not just for his work as creative director and Editor-at-Large at Vogue, but for his involvement with getting more Black models on the catwalks. RIP André Leon Talley – he will never be forgotten!