André Leon Talley moved in the circles that made fashion history – from his early career with Andy Warhol, to coining the term ‘fashion moment’ (to describe Galliano’s 1994 Japonisme show), to 30-odd years as Anna Wintour’s ‘Man Friday’ at American Vogue.Now, to mark the publication of The Chiffon Trenches, his new memoir, he regales us with anecdotes from a life in fashion. ‘I really felt that when I got to the top of the mountain, I had earned it,’ he says.
And boy, what a view.There I am, already a young editor at Women’s Wear Daily. I’ve got very few clothes on because I don’t have my wardrobe yet.