Andre Leon Talley Exhibit Commentary

Andre Loeon Talley's exhibit at the SCAD Fash Atlanta was nothing short of amazing. The exhibit, curated with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of Talley's influence, showcased the style icon's breakthrough in the fashion industry by highlighting his wardrobe, intellectualism, and the impact he had on other people.

One thing I especially admired about Talley's journey in the fashion industry is that, although he had some pretty lavish pieces, he also understood that personal style is all about knowing who you are and translating that into how you show up to the world. This is an exhibit that definitely conveys the undertone that "You make the clothes, they don't make you!" As someone who leans toward personal style over solely fashion trends, I instantly connected with Talley's exhibit.

Talley grew up in the Jim Crow South of Durham, North Carolina. He grew up with his grandmother and was always admired for the elegance of women's church attire whenever they attended church. He later earned a degree in French Literature and moved to New York, where his faith and passion for fashion helped him pivot into a career in fashion journalism and creative direction.

Witnessing Talley's journey from leaving the South and later becoming the go-to guy for style inspiration warmed my heart. To this day, conversations often highlight the fashion sense of Northern states and overlook whether Southern states should be included in the same discussions about fashion. Therefore, witnessing Andre Leon Talley, who came out of the South and never lose touch with his Southern roots, and further implementing them in his garments was notable to me.

The star of the exhibit was the showcasing of Talley's impeccable outfits. I was in awe looking at each mannequin, thinking to myself, "My God, a man who is not afraid to play with color in his wardrobe!" His outfits are a testament to a man who prioritized quality, fun colors, comfort, and timeless handbags, always using clothing as an opportunity to pay homage to different cultures.

Throughout the exhibition, I noticed that Talley had an appreciation for ostrich leather. You can see him wearing ostrich leather outerwear, from jackets to handbags. One of my favorites showcased was the dark brown Ostrich Leather Chanel Saddle Bag. It literally had my eyes spread wide open due to the color choice and texture. All I can say is that "Wow, this man was really ahead of his time."

Additionally, his collection of oversized trunks and bags was mesmerizing to look at. This oversized black Burkin was breathtaking. Just knowing he was toting this bag in the '80s, a time when oversized bags were a symbol of status and style, shows he was that guy. The '80s were a period of bold fashion statements, and Talley's choice of oversized bags was a reflection of his understanding and influence on this era. And this oversized Louis Vuitton piece is timeless, classic, and dramatic.

I liked that the exhibit displayed Tally's handwritten notes from providing creative direction for supermodel Naomi Campbell. It really highlights that creatives are naturally multifaceted individuals. Once you have an eye for personal style, it is almost as if you can be a master at curating aesthetics beyond clothing. Therefore, it felt intimate to see Talley's use of the photographed campaign he was working for as well as his notes of direction. For a brief moment, I was in the room with him as he suggested creative direction.

With my admiration for sustaining physical media, the exhibition showcases the newspaper clippings, articles, and interviews Talley created. Talley appreciates French culture, maternal style influences, and academia, which have allowed him to bring substance to the conversation of clothing. His take on fashion writing leaned more toward gauging impactful conversations around fashion. Not to mention, Talley was used to being the only black person in the fashion industry. Therefore, he made sure to implement inclusivity and acknowledge unheard-of designers every chance he got in his articles.

Overall, the Andre Leon Talley exhibit was well-executed, considering that Andre Leon Talley and the SCAD team were able to plan for this exhibition before Talley's passing. Many of Talley's close colleagues also contributed to the exhibit by sharing their experiences working with and the impact Talley had on them. Andre Leon's exhibit inspired me to continue pushing forward in my personal style development and fostering critical conversations around it. As a student of SCAD, I am honored to be part of a university that has worked with and showcased Talley's impact on the fashion culture. The exhibition of Southern Black men breaking barriers and leaving a mark in fashion was vital for me to see. Whether you are a SCAD student or not, consider bringing a friend, colleague, or family member to see this exhibit, as it will inspire you with Talley's emphasis on stylistic self-expression and using garments as a conversation starter for impactful discussions.