Last week, students at Chelsea’s High School of Fashion Industries had the opportunity to spend time with a true fashion legend – André Leon Talley!

Not many people in their lifetime will ever experience the probability to sit next to and face to face with a brilliant and fabulous figure like ALT, and the HSFI students anxiously awaited him. He arrived in true style, wearing a custom cape by Harlem’s own Dapper Dan.

The Senior Class had the privilege to partake in a very dynamic Q&A, after which a select fortunate few had the exclusive attention of Mr. Talley to engage up close and personal with the icon. Principal Daryl Banks joined in while the students ate homemade cupcakes and light breakfast fare.

Talley shared stories of his impressive trajectory in the chiffon trenches, delivered with his signature humor.  Memorable moments included volunteering for mentor Diana Vreeland at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, working with Andy Warhol at Interview Magazine, his stints at WWD and Vogue, close ties with Jean- Michel Basquiat, memories of the Paris Runways, and his deep friendship with the late Karl Lagerfeld. Talley also shared the inspiration for his self-published book ALT 365, which he called “the precursor to Instagram,” conveying how significant it was to his career.

When the floor was opened to questions, a student asked him what it was like to be a Black man working in a predominately white environment at Vogue.

“That is a very good question!” Talley said. “As a Black man, I didn’t think of myself as ‘I’m in this position as a Black man.’ I realized that I was representing my race and my culture and I wanted to make people proud. I rose to my position of prominence because of my knowledge, and my knowledge spoke volumes. I was always very lucky to be at the right places at the right time.”

Another student asked how he became a judge on Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model.

“She took me to lunch and asked me!” Talley said. “When Tyra conceived the show, she wanted me to be one of the original judges. The show was great, and working with her was such a great experience! She is one of my closest friends, along with Naomi Campbell.”

Other memorable André -isms included:

“Dream Big! Dream Big! The world is your oyster. The world is open to you. Do not ever be afraid to pursue your dreams!”

“The future is yours, but you must stay in school!”

“I honor you by being impressed…….you are the future generation!”

Talley then proceeded to the Curvy Lab to spend time with another group of students and teachers under the leadership of Angela O’ Riely. O’Riely instructs and promotes body positivity – teaching students to love the skin they are in via contemporary dress forms that embrace multi-sizing  coupled with cutting edge equipment for today’s shape diversity.

Talley’s work was cut out for him, but in typical André fashion, he gracefully and unselfishly extended his time and attention to some of New York City’s most creative scholars. To only hail them creative would be an understatement. These teens were absolutely brilliant, and had the tenacity to match.