Andre Leon Talley, Former Creative Director at US Vogue magazine - BBC HARDtalk

Since George Floyd died in Minneapolis with a white police officer’s knee on his neck, new conversations about racism and discrimination have begun all over the world. It’s not just about policing, it’s about business, sport, culture - every aspect of life. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to Andre Leon Tally who was creative director of American Vogue magazine when the fashion industry was almost devoid of senior black men. He’s just written a controversial memoir of his life in what he calls “the chiffon trenches”. Why did it take him so long to speak out on race?

[@tinker9118]

I think it's hilarious to even be questioning / cross-examining Andre's life experience as a black man in fashion on the premise of "Why didn't you do anything?" and "You've been black since the 70s didn't you notice what's happening around you?" Everything has context. Firstly lets not pretend most industries which lack diversity are not that why by design, it cannot be the responsibility of Andre to change the racist environment he did not create (hence Anna issued her an apology as the captain of that ship). Secondly, do you really think a singular black man in the midst of a white industry finally with a foot in the door could create vast change.... in the 70s !?!??!! He would have been another unsung hero who was quickly dismissed out of fashion never to be heard of until social media dig it out the closet. Influence and impact comes with Tenure....and support. The world is more open minded than it was 40+ years ago and social media can quickly bring unity in a cauae vs. writing a letter under the table. Andre and thousands of others who find themselves having the "first seat" at the table have to move smart to not only prove worth in the position they've earned...but to steer clear of stereotypes or adversity in order to keep that door open for whoever comes behind them whether it's their recommendation or a stranger. It's 2020 and the fashion industry is still having "firsts" in terms of inclusion and diversity...it's an uphill battle.

[@sparksessence]

That part!

[@bukeaor2961]

I was gobsmacked 😶! But Andre’ handled the situation and checked it ! That is why it is good to be smart, educated, knowledgeable, eloquent and learned ! The epitome of an Icon !

[@bukeaor2961]

💯 dare I say !

[@sparksessence]

André is not responsible for solely making sure the industry was more inclusive or to be the one to address racism

[@bukeaor2961]

Andre Leon “They don’t have me here for my looks , but my brains “! Andre’ set the record straight and untwisted the interviewer , what a moving encyclopedia, treasure trove 📚! Intelligent and witty ! Sharp as a whistle , educated, learned , informed and well read ! Knowledge is power ! Education is the great equalizer ! Such an Icon , and a trailblazer! It is imperative that you state your story lest it be misconstrued! That Andre’ has done explicitly, and eloquently well ! Love ❤️ him to bits ! May he Rest In Peace ☮️ 💐.

[@blkcoverboy1049]

Loved that the interviewer asked andre these tough questions. I as a black person had similar questions so i applaud the interviewer! Andre seemed as if the guy was asking off the wall inappropriate questions but I felt the line of questioning was appropriate and tied into the book that andre wrote

[@varunharrold1515]

Steven is such an intellectual, doing ones job right, world becomes better, prime example ( one doesn’t necessary need to be in the Office

[@enricovankeeken9503]

*...this interviewer is also one of them annoying ones, who dont give a guest { enough } time to speak*

[@outandaboutnyc2579]

Rest In Peace Giant. #LifeWellDone

[@m.cunningham9817]

What an amazing articulate man. At 72 he was awate and sharp as ever and new his way around a conversation. A treasure trove of knowledge

[@oaklandcookie]

Some people will disagree, but I thought his questions were rude. As a white man, he should have shown more respect for Mr. Talley. What makes him an expert on racism? If a black interviewer had asked these questions, it would have been a much more interesting conversation, IMO.

[@oaklandcookie]

I cannot finish watching this.

[@oaklandcookie]

I'm not saying that there is no value in these questions, but the racial dynamics in this interview make it questionable for me. Watching this instead- kzbin.info/www/bejne/haPKYohoZrmGjNk

[@outandaboutnyc2579]

He Was Damn Rude.

[@Mac62671]

He makes me sad. "I have great friends..."

[@corneillececil823]

I didn't think these were hard questions at all ! Each question was met with clear answers, devoid of deflection. I enjoyed this very much.

[@universallove878]

Rest in power A.L.T.❣

[@chera.4653]

I love you Andre Leon Talley, for all that you endured and I hope to see you in glory.

[@satanlucifer4437]

"Can we move on sir"

[@Jiorgiapeach]

Feeling compelled to blame someone that had to endure racism their whole life for not doing more against racism when they were and are just trying to survive and make it in a heinously racist, homophobic world, is the height of gaslighting and white, straight privilege. Andre’s existence and resilience is the most powerful form of activism there is. The interviewer attempts to diminish this fact.

[@v.a.993]

Hmmmm...I am reminded of a scene in the legendary film Mahogany starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams in which Ross' character Tracey Elis makes a similar point about fashion not being about politics and Williams' character Brian correctly notes that everything is about politics---especially fashion. With all due respect to Mr. Talley, he like so many other baby boomers failed to lead on racial issues thinking that THEY had arrived.

[@dpcisunbreakable]

Excellent reference!!!!

[@Keybumpz]

This was hella weird....

[@VeeLondon1449]

How much affirmation and credit does this man need? 🙄

[@Veronica11628]

I see the comments about the interviewer, but it's called BBC HARDtalk! Read it again. However, this was a great interview, my opinion anyway LOL!

[@wandahwisdom5646]

@15:50 wasn't the movie #TheDvilWearsPrada based on her persona?

[@marlon1171]

This world is truly a lesser place without Andre Leon Talley. God rest his kind soul..

[@marlon1171]

@@ee-mv3es : A lighter place? i thought so but since you said, it got heavy again....

[@marlon1171]

@@ee-mv3es : Yes yes, i meant to say that the planet is heavier and more polluted because you're a tub of puke and shit that still lives on it...

[@TASconfidential]

Andre is also very self-aggrandizing.

[@phillygirl1984]

I ❤️it

[@TheDominicanjohnny]

He is good decent person gone through lifes' terrible situations..... His thing is fashion and hopefully he is helped by those whom respect and love him....

[@elmariedixon1673]

I love u Andre u r true to who YOU are.

[@phillygirl1984]

This interviewer HATES the facts that ALT defied the odds. Sad. #StillIRise

[@wandahwisdom5646]

@20:29 can reference #HowardZinn's history books on America to prove [That]; if it weren't *Them* then 'who'?? & where's that Proof?

[@Sunnahiman]

African American Muslima 1954 all i can say is that this man was a beautiful good amazing human being. This brother learned about the deep wickedness that exists in those who have more wealth then anyone can imagine. May God be forgiving for his short coming. I love him from the heart. I understand why he never told his grandma because it would have killed them. I discovered him recently but I truly believed his truth. I wish he was still with us. I believe they hated him for revealing the truth to the world and they wanted him dead. This man spirit will never be forgotten.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

jus saw him on andy cohen:::andre is so fun to chat with....give him a talk show @@@

[@Anteroization]

this was weird.

[@syckindahead]

12:35 Interesting comment

[@adriennesmith2133]

No one can mess with ALT.

[@ALFREDSOCA]

He wanted to keep his job I think

[@stephaniefreeman3914]

Of course he wanted to keep his job. It’s just that his professional world does not like people who are old or no longer useful.

[@enricovankeeken9503]

*...even if that's ALL he wanted, he hÁs that Right*

[@TrishCarmenDXB]

Loved this interview .

[@stephaniefreeman3914]

How rude. He’s hysterical 😩

[@ramakrishnakota6108]

All I could see is how combative Andre is in moving away from answering the real question

[@mattmcjagger2582]

Lol no the white boy is trying to control the narrative.. Andre knew he couldn’t be a racial activist being the only black person in the room in different countries with no back up lol

[@TASconfidential]

Matt Mcjagger thats bullshit!!! He COULD have been an activist!!! By literally catapulting black models, designers, and editors. He just didn’t care. This man wasn’t some mid-level schlep. He had INFLUENCE!!! Do you know that he got funding for John Galliano’s first show, from making a few phone calls in less than a WEEK!!! He rubbed Elbows with the fashion elite and dined with Lagerfeld. He could have literally dropped a name and that alone could have put more blacks in the spotlight in the fashion industry.

[@mattmcjagger2582]

TASconfidential this is all true. But John G’s is a white man off course he can get fashion figures to invest in that project Faster Than an upcoming black model or designer. He did use his platform a few black figures always mentioning or inviting them in rooms like Designer Laquan Smith or Tellfar. Yes he could’ve done more but clearly he didn’t have the courage in a room for full racist white fashion figures who ignore black influence or shit on diversity. At that time there wasn’t black designer to lean on like a Virgil Abloh,

[@enricovankeeken9503]

@@TASconfidential *..you don't hÁve to be an Activist?*

[@outandaboutnyc2579]

Stop The Nonsense. Smdh

[@1TheDalyShow]

If a white female calls you the “n word” that person still has to be checked. Andre may not have been offended but the use of the word but it is offensive to history. We have see similar people in power who have done things to better their community. Andre was smart but used that for their own betterment. This was interesting, not what I expected

[@marygarvin1715]

Excellent interview !!👍🏽

[@outandaboutnyc2579]

The Interviewer Lives In the Twilight Zone.

[@armandobambino]

dificult interview.....thank's and congratulacion

[@sk-so9dx]

what becase hes black

[@5thdimensio284]

What a delusional old man and what are those facial expressions for? So rude!

[@katesage3221]

Relax Andre... It's just a conversation. A very interesting one ❤💜🧡

[@mattmcjagger2582]

The host was trying to control the narrative about his own life lol...he only used a few examples off course he experienced racism but he’s the only black person in the room most times with no back up

[@katesage3221]

@@mattmcjagger2582 You're right . Now it makes sense to me. Thank you

[@OK-hb2gd]

@@mattmcjagger2582 I agree with you. This host was 🙄

[@francisokwesa4854]

Hahahaha the more articulate we blacks are the more white folk seem to look for a larger chisel to knock off those chips on our shoulders. We can never win.String 2 sentences together we know too much,shout aha that is true to form.Best to just ignore it all and seek Knowledge.

[@katesage3221]

@@francisokwesa4854 I get your point🤔

[@Sunnahiman]

A j Rogers book NATURE KNOWS NO COLOR LINE. READ THIS BOOK

[@aclark1197]

Does Fashion Have A Problem With Race?

[@elmariedixon1673]

I am glad Andre Talkey told him it is not his job to be a activist this is why I can't stand the so call British either yall will get what's coming to you.

[@mrfunky1768]

So he's been cramming for the current events black history test that nobody's going to care about his test results .!

[@francisokwesa4854]

This is such a dreadful interview and to think I like Stephen. The premise that every black person must come from the stereotypical council estate one parent family is so cliched it grates.Some of us believe it or not are aristos too.Furthermore on this outing Stephen got redder and redder as his efforts to pigeonhole Andre fell by the wayside.Once he meets a tough interviewee he tends to buckle. Well not Every black person uses the hackneyed road of activism to get things done.There are far too many routes to that journey and varying degrees of success.To assume that we must all carry a placard and then giving the media the opportunity to say that we have a chip on our shoulder is quite laughable. Racism is not our problem as blacks it is your problem as whites.You solve it,we are just at the receiving end and having to endure it.The moment folk stop getting hot under the collar because a black person knows more than them , the better.It is called knowledge as Andre pointed out and in this instance Stephen was short on his homework.Should try better next time.

[@outandaboutnyc2579]

The Interviewer Sounds Like A Plantation Owner. Bad Journalist,I think he's Bias. Complete 🗑️ TRASH.

[@MikkoVille]

Creative director of Vogue. I bet his life is a real struggle.

[@garciarocha8627]

I dont think he did anything to help the black community. Like Anna Wintour, he loved powerful people and loved adulating them. The interviewer nails on and he is clearly uncomfortable about it.

[@robertoluis9238]

DUDE...U WERE A 300 POUND WANNABE...COULD HAVE UTILIZED REALITY, EVERY NOW AND THEN.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

glad andre kicked that dumb interviewer's arse !

[@elmariedixon1673]

He didn't have to lead he did with many ppl of color in this field but u can lead.noe what have u done and now doing.black haters boy Bye.

[@TASconfidential]

This journalist was fantastic!!! He’s more WOKE than Andre Leon Talley!!!!

[@chera.4653]

Woke is action. Andre grew up in the Jim Crow south and academically prepared himself to the extent that he was able to pave a way for himself and others that looked like him. Every one doesn't use a bullhorn.

[@caramelrhapsodyjesseslife]

Andre is a relic in the industry. He's quite outdated. He seems to love the sound of his own voice. His name-dropping and arrogance are annoying. His ramblings barely come close to answering the questions/topic at hand.

[@gsotoaz]

Yup

[@williesartsdesignscuisines]

The interviewer has no charisma.