Washington, Jan 19 : American fashion journalist Andre Leon Talley, who was an icon in the world of fashion, has died at the age 73. Talley was known for advocating diversity in fashion and served as the former editor of Vogue from 1983 to 1987 and as its creative director from ‘88 to ’95.

During his tenure in the 80’s and 90’s he proved instrumental in managing the fashion magazine’s direction and spearheading its vision, being a driving force in their success.

He worked side by side with Anna Wintour — Vogue’s editor-in-chief — for decades … and is considered one of the first mainstream African-American tastemakers in the US.

Andre was also an LGBT icon … although he never claimed to be a homosexual but rather very fluid when it came to his sexuality.

Talley will perhaps be best remembered as a trailblazer in the fashion world — not just for his stylish flair, but for his push to include more people of colour on the runway … specifically, black models.

His work and career spoke for itself … and so did his consulting work elsewhere, whether it was being a stylist for the Obamas at one point during his presidency, or even serving as a judge on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ … among many other notable achievements, like his ‘SATC’ cameo and frequent Wendy Williams chats.

In May 2020, he released a memoir about his life and career, titled ‘The Chiffon Trenches’, which chronicles his improbable rise from the front porch of his grandmother’s home in Durham, North Carolina, to the front rows of fashion.

Among the many details in the book, Talley opened up about the end of his time at Vogue and how his 30-year friendship with Wintour eventually became fractured.

According to sources to The People, Talley during an interview with Gayle King in 2020 said: “I think my relationship is in an iceberg with her. I hope that it will not be that forever.”

His death comes just three years after his decades-long friendship with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour ended when she froze him out for being ‘too old, too overweight, too uncool’.

Talley claimed, in a memoir released in 2020, that he was left with ‘huge emotional and psychological scars’ from his friendship with the notoriously icy editor.

However, he also credited her, along with Diana Vreeland and Andy Warhol, with shaping his career.

‘I will not criticize her,’ he said in a May 2020 interview with Vulture. ‘My book is an epistle to everyone that I love. It’s a love letter to Anna Wintour. I love her deeply.’

He died at a hospital in White Plains, New York on Tuesday from unknown causes.(UNI)