The Savannnah College of Art and Design Presents André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever

The exhibition and accompanying catalogue honor the cultural icon's lasting legacy.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The Savannah College of Art and Design proudly unveils André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever, a landmark exhibition celebrating the life and achievements of André Leon Talley, the visionary creative director, style legend, and beloved friend of the university. Featured across award-winning SCAD museums in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and Lacoste, France, this tribute is made possible by Talley's extraordinary bequest of personal garments, accessories, photographs, and ephemera to the SCAD Permanent Collection. Through this enduring gift, Talley will continue to inspire and educate countless generations of students, scholars, and fashion enthusiasts.

Opening Oct. 15 in Atlanta, the exhibition honors the 10th anniversary of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, a university institution deeply influenced and shaped by Talley, who played a vital role in its establishment. A selection of pieces debuts Sept. 8 at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, showcased within the dedicated André Leon Talley Gallery, which was inaugurated in 2011. The exhibition will travel to SCAD FASH Lacoste in spring 2026.

"André! The name conjures a man of wonder, wisdom, glamour, influence, and the warmth of a sun that burns brightly and will for the ages. With a caftan as his cape and words as his wand, André Leon Talley reigned as fashion's most winsome oracle, a beloved cultural titan, cherished friend, and mentor to SCAD Bees across the world. This landmark exhibition, along with a book of the same name by SCAD University Press, unveils André's private collection — a sartorial sanctuary he called his ‘armor' and his ‘tabernacle.' André dearly wanted these personal objects and artifacts to live on at SCAD in perpetuity, benefiting students and lovers of all things beautiful. He often called SCAD his ‘Zen zone of divine wonder,' and with his benefactory gift and this very first posthumous exhibition, that divine wonder has grown beyond reckoning. Come, step into André's closet with us, and see what wonders await your discovery."

PAULA WALLACE
SCAD President and Founder

Curated by Rafael Brauer Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH museums, André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever presents an evocative collection of couture and bespoke pieces from Talley's personal wardrobe — each reflecting the artistry and vision of celebrated designers such as Tom Ford for Gucci, Miuccia Prada, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Gianni Versace, Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, John Galliano for Dior, Chado Ralph Rucci, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, Isabel Toledo, and more. Highlighting some of Talley's most recognizable moments from legendary  Met Galas to famed front rows, this curation celebrates the breadth of Talley's global influence and the depth of his connections to his creative confidants. The looks are displayed on custom mannequins cast from a sculpture of Talley by SCAD alum Stephen Hayes (M.F.A., sculpture, 2010), adding a meaningful artistic dimension to the presentation.

"André Leon Talley didn't just shape fashion — he shaped people. His legacy endures not only in garments and publications but in the lives he uplifted, the voices he amplifified, and the doors he held open for others. This exhibition is our love letter to a legend who carved a place in history with style and conviction."

RAFAEL BRAUER GOMES
Exhibition curator and creative director of SCAD FASH museums

An accompanying exhibition catalogue of the same title, produced by SCAD University Press and published by Rizzoli Electa, offers a further exploration of Talley's legacy. With a foreword by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace and creative direction by Black Fashion Fair founder Antoine Gregory, the catalogue features essays, stories, and memories from many of Talley's closest friends and industry luminaries including Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Teri Agins, Tom Ford, Darren Walker, Carolina Herrera, Pat Cleveland, and more. Brought to life in new photography by SCAD alum Allen Cooley (M.F.A., photography, 2009) and complemented by images from the archives of Jonathan Becker and Robert Fairer, this celebratory volume shares a rare view into the private world and singular character of one of the most illustrious figures in fashion history.

"André Leon Talley showed me that fashion could be a language, a shield, a stage — and a home. He moved through the industry with such authority and knowledge that it made me believe there was room for me, too. Through this process of documenting his iconic wardrobe I learned that great style is not just about great clothes. It's the stories, both short and long, the communities, and the memories that live on through them. This retrospective isn't just a look back on André's life, it is an opportunity to reach forward and inspire a new generation."

ANTOINE GREGORY
Fashion advocate, creative director, and founder of Black Fashion Fair

To commemorate this exhibition and SCAD FASH's milestone 10th anniversary, the university will host a series of celebratory events in Atlanta during the week of Oct. 13. The festivities will include a preview reception for museum members and the presentation of the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award to Grammy Award-winning musician, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, philanthropist, designer, and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to fashion and his influential impact across the broader landscape of  entertainment. The award presentation will feature remarks by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace and culminate in a conversation with Williams, who will be joined by Grammy Award-winning artist and producer The-Dream (Terius Gesteelde-Diamant; SCAD B.F.A. fashion), and moderated by Stephanie Sutton, director of engagement and communications at YELLOW, offering an insightful  retrospective of Williams' extraordinary creative journey and lasting cultural impact.

As part of the week's festivities, SCAD students, museum members, and guests will enjoy an exclusive screening of André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever, a SCAD-produced documentary celebrating the life and legacy of the groundbreaking fashion icon. Tracing Talley's extraordinary journey from the segregated South to becoming Vogue's first Black creative director, the film highlights his lasting impact on the fashion world and his role in amplifying diverse voices across the industry. Executive produced by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace, alongside Colman Domingo and Raúl Domingo, and co-directed by SCAD alum Clay Haskell (B.F.A., film and television, 2005) and journalist Zach Stafford, the documentary features never-before-seen footage and intimate interviews that explore Talley's personal challenges, professional triumphs, and enduring influence following his passing in 2022. After the screening, SCAD will host a conversation with film collaborators and close friends of Talley — including Raul Lopez, fashion designer, founder and creative director of LUAR, as well as supermodel Veronica Webb — moderated by Stafford. The documentary will also be screened at the prestigious SCAD Savannah Film Festival in October.

Talley was raised by his grandmother in Durham, North Carolina. After earning his master's degree from Brown University, he began his career in New York in the 1970s under the mentorship of Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Following a stint at Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine, Talley was appointed Paris bureau chief for Women's Wear Daily. In the late 1980s, Talley became the first African American creative director of Vogue, later serving as editor at large from 1998 to 2013. Across this decades-spanning career, Talley's encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history, editorial brilliance, and fearless voice made him an undeniable presence. As a champion of creatives of color, he opened doors to a more inclusive industry with an expansive vision of beauty rooted in identity, authenticity, and the power of self-expression.

For more than two decades, Talley was a generous steward of SCAD and a passionate mentor to SCAD students from every academic discipline. With President Wallace, Talley was a pivotal force in establishing the university's fashion exhibitions program, lending his vision to acclaimed shows that strengthened the university's influence on design curation and education within global culture. Talley's boundless enthusiasm for the university led to his longtime service on the SCAD Board of Trustees (2002–2014). In 2001, Talley became the first recipient of the SCAD Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion, an accolade later named in his honor. This prestigious award has since been bestowed on distinguished industry leaders such as Vivienne Westwood, Oscar de la Renta, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Vera Wang, and SCAD alum Christopher John Rogers (B.F.A., fashion, 2016). In 2008, Talley delivered the SCAD Commencement address, receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever is on view at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah through Jan. 11, 2026, and at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta, Oct. 15, 2025–March 1, 2026. 

SCAD FASH MUSEUM OF FASHION + FILM

SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film celebrates fashion as a universal language, garments as important conduits of identity, and film as an immersive and memorable medium. Situated within SCAD Atlanta, the museum presents dynamic exhibitions, captivating films, and enticing events that mine the rich and storied legacies of fashion history to inspire contemporary designers and future innovations. Supported by the university's strong global presence and connections to renowned contemporary fashion designers, filmmakers, and creative professionals around the world, SCAD FASH is an integral part of the SCAD educational experience.

Like the award-winning SCAD Museum of Art, SCAD FASH serves as a creative resource for students of all ages and a wellspring of inspiration for visitors. Through programming that engages the university's broad array of academic disciplines, SCAD FASH offers diverse exhibitions, films, installations, performances, and events to enliven and inspire the greater community year-round. Each program is designed to engage and appeal to visitors with varied backgrounds and interests, from textiles and jewelry to photography and film. Past exhibitions have featured the work of designers Christian Siriano, Robert Wun, Ruth E. Carter, Azzedine Alaïa, Pierre Cardin, Carolina Herrera, Mary Katrantzou, Guo Pei, and Oscar de la Renta. Photographic exhibitions have featured the work of Robert Fairer, Albert Watson, Jonathan Becker, Bill Cunningham, and Omar Victor Diop. Exhibitions are accompanied by curated film series that complement programming. Past SCAD commissioned films include Pierre Cardin: Le Futur, The First Monday in May, Funny Face, The Leopard, and Ovation for Oscar, among others. 
 

SCAD: THE UNIVERSITY FOR CREATIVE CAREERS

SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls approximately 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university's renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2025 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more. Visit scad.edu.

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