The Savannah College of Art and Design presents André Leon Talley: Le Style est Éternel at SCAD FASH Lacoste, marking a major exhibition dedicated to the life and work of André Leon Talley. The exhibition opened on April 1, 2026, following earlier presentations at SCAD museums in Atlanta and Savannah. This iteration introduces Talley’s archive to France for the first time, drawing from his bequest of garments, accessories, photographs, and personal materials now held within the SCAD Permanent Collection.
EXHIBITIONS
Curated by Rafael Brauer Gomes, the exhibition assembles couture, ready-to-wear, and bespoke pieces from Talley’s wardrobe. The selection includes works by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, John Galliano for Dior, Chado Ralph Rucci, Roger Vivier, Yves Saint Laurent, Charvet, and Hermès. These garments reflect Talley’s relationships with leading designers and his role within the global fashion system. The presentation includes looks worn during key public appearances, including Met Gala moments and front-row engagements, offering a direct view into his presence within fashion’s most visible spaces.
The exhibition extends beyond garments through a range of archival material. Artworks, photographs, letters, and books from Talley’s personal collection appear alongside the clothing. Custom mannequins based on a sculpture by SCAD alum Stephen Hayes present the looks, adding a sculptural dimension to the installation. The exhibition also includes gowns worn by figures within Talley’s circle, including Anna Wintour, Renée Zellweger, and Lauren Santo Domingo.
An accompanying catalogue, produced by SCAD University Press and published by Rizzoli Electa, expands on the exhibition’s material. The publication features contributions from figures including Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Teri Agins, Tom Ford, Darren Walker, Carolina Herrera, and Pat Cleveland. Creative direction by Antoine Gregory and new photography by Allen Cooley shape the visual language of the book, which also includes archival imagery from Jonathan Becker and Robert Fairer. The catalogue offers additional access to Talley’s private archive and his role within fashion and culture.
Talley’s connection to French culture informed his career and intellectual development. He studied French literature at North Carolina Central University and later completed a master’s degree at Brown University. He began his career in New York under Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art before moving into journalism. As Paris bureau chief for Women’s Wear Daily, he reported on French fashion with a distinct voice. In the late 1980s, he became the first Black creative director of American Vogue and later served as editor at large from 1998 to 2013. His work shaped editorial practice and expanded representation within the industry.
Talley maintained a long relationship with SCAD, where he supported students and contributed to the university’s fashion exhibitions program. He served on the SCAD Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2014 and received the SCAD Lifetime Achievement in Fashion Award in 2001, an honor that later carried his name. His involvement included mentorship, public speaking, and collaboration on exhibitions that shaped SCAD’s role in design education and curatorial work.
The opening in Lacoste forms part of SCAD’s Spring 2026 programming, which includes exhibitions, installations, and presentations across the site. André Leon Talley: Le Style est Éternel remains on view at SCAD FASH Lacoste through October 31, 2026.
