Rating: 
Summary: A Riveting Read; Beyond Popular Perception
Review: André Leon Talley's memoir exhorts one to journey with him to both his inner world and outer world. The former, is wondrously defined by the warm, cultured and ennobled-through-character kin that surround him during his formative years in the American south. The unconditional love and support of his tightly-woven family foster his ability to achieve grand accomplishments. The latter world, the outer world of ultra high fashion, where the bon vivant and gadabout crowd reign supreme, is one where his artistic talents and creative aptitude are encouraged and appreciated; this oft-pretentious, sometimes imperious world of glamour, glitz and visual luster, is one where he thrives while still holding true to his spirituality, family and humanity.
Mssr. Talley's life is indelibly and immeasurably shaped by the presence of his generous, compassionate, selfless and benevolent grandmother, Madam Bennie Francis Davis. Though a woman of modest material means, her inbred sense of style and priceless integrity, virtue and honor are courtly and regal in every sense. Madam Davis' parentage, along with that of Mssr. Talley's father and support from extended family, enable A.L.T. to leave the warm bosom of the south and further his education at Brown University where he earns a graduate degree in French studies.
Eventually moving to New York, Mssr. Talley meets and apprentices with Mrs. Diana Vreeland, the ne plus ultra of his burgeoning career at the time. With professional and moral support and encouragement from this unique and impressive woman, it is not long before he lands a job with the crème de la crème of fashion publications, Vogue magazine. His bi-continental career ensues, he meets and befriends intriguing, impressive, multitudinously-diverse individuals and, in sum, moves from fashion glory to glory.
The crux of this memoir and most enriching insights, boldly reveal to the reader the importance of authenticity, of staying loyal to one's heritage, and of never sacrificing one's core values in the midst of the fashion world's artifice. In this case (and very fittingly), the person Mssr. Talley is revealed to be on the inside is superbly reflected on the outside--the best and the brightest of high society and high fashion are drawn to him and he counts many till today as loyal, genuine friends, admirers and compatriots in work and in life. How best to describe Talley? Cultured. Authentic. Passionate about his work. Unabashedly spiritual. Unquestionably creative and talented. Generous. Worthy of the success and respect he has earned. For someone whose interest in fashion is at most an afterthought, I learned a great deal from this piece. Buy this book for your library.
Rating: 
Summary: There's still Paris. . .
Review: Andre waited 50+ years to write this book and I waited 20+ years to read it. It is with pure sadness that I state that, in this case, there is no more than meets the eye. What a surprise to learn that Mr. Talley is so one-sided; even the models on the pages of Vogue have 2 dimensions! One gets the distinct sense that a great deal was held back; God bless the editors who obviously had to pull teeth to get anything from him. Ghost writer? I am arguably THE biggest fan of Mr. Talley's StyleFax column and my only hope is that, in the spirit of Richard Rodriguez, this is the first in a series of works about his great life.
Rating:
Summary: There's still Paris. . .
Review: Andre waited 50+ years to write this book and I waited 20+ years to read it. It is with pure sadness that I state that, in this case, there is no more than meets the eye. What a surprise to learn that Mr. Talley is so one-sided, even the models on the pages of Vogue have 2 dimensions! One gets the distinct sense that a great deal was held back; God bless the editors who obviously had to pull teeth to get what they got. Ghost writer? I am arguably THE biggest fan of Mr. Talley's StyleFax column and my only hope is that, in the spirit of Richard Rodriguez, this is the first in a series of works about his great life.
Rating:
Summary: what a wonderful life....
Review: i couldnt wait to read mr. talleys autobio. though i expect lots of 'inside the world of fashion', i was pleasantly surprised to see so much written about friends, family, growing up in north carolina, and fashion. i am a great fan of diana vreeland and the tidbits he throws in about her apartment, her clothes and her style are wonderful. a very enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle tribute to two formidable women
Review: I didn't know much of Andre Leon Talley aside from mentions in the Andy Warhol diaries and his occassional TV appearances providing commentary on celebrity fashions. A stereotypical shallow and superficial TV fashion personality, I thought.Well this book set me straight. I was expecting a bitchy expose about Talley's career in the fashion world but it turns out there many more layers to the flamboyant Talley than he lets the public see. Lovingly recounting his childhood with his grandmother in North Carolina, Talley salutes the foundations which shaped the core of his personality. One can visualize his grandmother's sheets, feel themselves in Talley's home church and taste the after church dinners just by turning the pages. After receiving degrees from North Carolina Central State and Brown University, Talley sets off to pursue his destiny in New York. His life and career are forever altered when he meets fashion legend Diana Vreeland. Talley remembers his grandmother and Vreeland with a great deal of love. His writing reveals a real fondness for women which doesn't always seem to be the case with males in the fashion business. So while I didn't get the expose I was expecting particularly about his Warhol days, I did learn that Talley is a man of spiritual and intellectual substance. I would have liked to read more about his experiences as a Black male in the predominantly White fashion industry but that's only a minor quibble. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: couldn't put it down
Review: i loved this book because a.l.t. made you feel everything he was going through and cared about so deeply. i could actually feel as though i was right there with him on his family's porch or dancing at a disco with him. i'm the same age as a.l.t. and went to alot of the same places as he did growing up in the city, so it was really exciting to have that nostalgia surface again. mostly, i just loved what a beautiful and caring person he is; so unaffected. it's true, because i attended a class at nyu and a.l.t. was the guest speaker. he was so charming and easy to listen to and not a snobby moment; just pure joy.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: If only everyone in the fashion world were like A.L.T.! This book is interesting, well-written, and a great summer read. Mr. Talley is truly a gentleman who has class, dignity, and style. For anyone who reads Vogue and knows about StyleFax, this is a must!
Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile read for any fashion follower
Review: That luxury and style can be found in many places is the resounding message in this book. While the flow of the writing is occasionally choppy, the content makes reading this book an enjoyable experience. Every time I put this book down, I anxiously looked forward to the next time I could get back to Andre's remarkable story. How an African-American boy in 1950/60s North Carolina evolved from spending his 9-year-old's allowance on Vogue magazine to his critical break after college landing a volunteer position under the direction of Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute is truly a page-turning read. This is a fast, easy read; suitable for anyone interested in fashion. Makes me want to go out and purchase a pair of buttery-soft Kislav gloves!
Rating:
Summary: A worthwhile read for any fashion follower
Review: That luxury and style can be found in many places is the resounding message in this book. While the flow of the writing is occasionally choppy, the content makes reading this book an enjoyable experience. Every time I put this book down, I anxiously looked forward to the next time I could get back to Andre's remarkable story. How an African-American boy in 1950/60s North Carolina evolved from spending his 9-year-old's allowance on Vogue magazine to his critical break after college landing a volunteer position under the direction of Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute is truly a page-turning read. This is a fast, easy read; suitable for anyone interested in fashion. Makes me want to go out and purchase a pair of buttery-soft Kislav gloves!
Rating:
Summary: Fab!
Review: The Devil Wears Prada will get more attention than A.L.T. which is too bad becuase this is the real thing. ALT's memories of NYC, and the world of fashion are just too good to pass up. In this book you have a facinating person talking about his life and his love for two equally amazing women, Diana Vreeland and his grandmother. Buy this one. It's a keeper.
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