Greenburgh Renames Street in Memory of Global Fashion Icon
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A portion of Worthington St. in the Town of Greenburgh was renamed last week in memory of global fashion icon Andre Leon Andre Leon Talley.
Town officials, residents, and fashion friends of Talley gathered Sept. 21 at the corner of Worthington St. and Saw Mill River Rd. for the dedication ceremony of “Honorary Andre Leon Talley Way.”
Talley died Jan. 18 at White Plains Hospital from complications of a heart attack and COVID-19. He was 73.
“Mr. Talley was a role model in the community, (and) was instrumental in facilitating access to the wide world of fashion journalism for hundreds of African Americans,” Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner stated. “He increased diversity in the profession. Andre Leon Talley also took time out of his schedule to mentor and inspire others.”
Born in Washington D.C., Talley was the first Black creative director at Vogue magazine. He worked with Diana Vreeland, Andy Warhol, and Michelle Obama. He was a stylist for President Barack Obama and also styled Melania Trump when she married President Donald Trump in 2005.
During his time at Vogue, Talley often advocated for diversity within the fashion industry. He also was very involved in fighting for more diversity on the runway for more Black models. In 2020, France awarded him the Chevalier de Fordre des Arts et des Lettres honor for arts and letters. He was also featured in documentaries, and he appeared as himself in the 2008 movie “Sex and the City.”
“(He) gave us a picture of what life can be when we believe in ourselves,” said Deacon Frank Williams.
Feiner, who noted Talley spoke to Greenburgh summer youth interns in 2017 at Greenburgh Town Hall, said the road dedication event was spearheaded by Town Clerk Judith Beville and Azline Suber, owner of Azline Unique Fashion.
A reception followed at City Limits Diner in White Plains where Talley often sat at the bar and conversed with patrons.
In a 2020 interview, Talley, who was a judge on “America’s Next Top Model,” said, “I scorched the Earth with my talent, and I let my light shine.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
