Talley, who was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in North Carolina, started working for Vogue in the 1980s and departed in 2013. During his time with the magazine, Talley worked as news director, creative director, and later as editor at large. Talley also worked with Women’s Wear Daily, W, and the New York Times. The influential fashion journalist earned an undergraduate French literature degree from Carolina Central University in 1970 and a master of arts degree in French literature from Brown University in 1972.
Outside of journalism, Talley made cameos in 2008’s Sex and the City film, Fox’s Empire, and the music video for Mariah Carey’s “Say Somethin’” track featuring Snoop Dogg. He was also a judge on America’s Next Top Model. The Kate Novack-directed documentary The Gospel According to André examined the fashion journalist’s life and career.
Talley released his memoir The Chiffon Trenches in 2020.
