Diana Vreeland's Personal Letter Written to André Leon Talley!

André Leon Talley created this postcard stationary out of Diana Vreeland’s personal letter written to him praising his report on Yves St. Laurent's collection in 1978, while he was working in Paris at Women's Wear Daily (prior to Vogue). This is (1) of (2) copies found tucked inside a soup tureen that THE TASTEMAKER SHOPPE purchased from André's estate sale. THE TASTEMAKER SHOPPE added a Lucite frame to preserve it forever! This is a meaningful and historical, collectible piece of fashion and culture!
 
Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) was one of the most iconic fashion editors, famous for her influential roles at Harper's Bizarre and Vogue magazine, later as a consultant to the MET's Costume Institute. Richard Avedon said in The New York Times "she remains the only genius fashion editor". She discovered emerging models like Lauren Becall and Edie Sedgwick The editorial grande dame of personality, style and fashion - she redefined magazines giving them an eclectic, chic POV!
 
 
André Leon Talley (1948-2022) was one of the fashion world's first African-American Tastemakers! A 6’-6” tall, elegant and flamboyant fashion celebrity with impeccable style, easily recognized by his signature capes and kaftans. For 60 years, he was an integral part of fashion history and culture as a journalist, author, stylist, creative director and editor-at-large.
 
 
His career began in 1974 when he interned at the MET's Costume Institute, apprenticing under legendary fashion magazine editor Diana Vreeland. They created magic on and off stage, sharing a life of fashion and friendship. After the MET, he took his first job out of college working at Andy Warhol’s Factory, through Vreeland’s introduction. He answered Warhol's phone, which opened the door to NYC's most glamorous socialites. Although private, during the 70's he was a regular participant of Studio 54’s disco scene boogie dancing with models, designers, artists, and celebs. After Warhol’s Factory, he went to Paris to run Women’s Wear Daily, then Vogue Magazine. He was Vogue's first African-American Creative Director, then Editor-at-Large. He broke boundaries in an industry dominated by white women. A prominent diversity advocate on and off the runway, supporting emerging designers and models.
 
He had swanky style and southern charm, spoke French eloquently and loved his church, a very soulful person with a big heart. Raised in the (then) segregated deep south by his strict loving grandmother who worked as a maid at Duke University. Church was the most important thing in their life. André’s childhood was wonderful and complex, despite impoverished beginnings he earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and a master’s from Brown (both) in French Literature. When he 1st arrived in NYC, he and Diane von Furstenberg became and remained close friends like family. When he nearly lost everything to pay off debts, including his colonial home on 75 Worthington Rd, White Plains, NY - Furstenberg lovingly took care of his financial situation. Almost immediately following that, he died in the hospital with COVID. Shortly after, the street on which he lived for 18 years was re-named to "André Leon Talley Way" in his honor. It is this estate that this piece was acquired from.