Review by Booklist Review
Fashion king Talley is brought to tender, glorious life by the award-winning team of Weatherford and Sanders (A Song for the Unsung, 2022), who take readers into the late Vogue editor's young life and journey to fame. Raised in Jim Crow--era North Carolina, Talley didn't fit in in many ways. His was a world of contrasts: prejudice and bullying outside, deep love from his grandmother at home. Kind treatment in church ("André's first fashion show") but "unwanted touches from grown-ups who swore him to silence" (an author's note offers contact information for organizations that help abused children). Talley created a life revolving around his love of everything French--a world gorgeously rendered by fashion illustrator O'Neal, whose compositions show the sharply dressed, 6'6" Talley as a majestic, towering paragon of style--and his genius and determination led him to fashion heights, including a string of firsts as a Black man at Vogue. Weatherford and Sanders affectionately celebrate Talley's rise from a boy obsessed with fashion magazines to an important, sought-after style icon while not shying away from the prejudice he faced along the way. Another stellar profile from Weatherford and Sanders that belongs in any picture-book biography section.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The creators situate this visually polished biography of "high priest of fashion" André Leon Talley (1948--2022) as a fairy tale. It begins with a Washington, D.C.--born baby wrapped not "in chiffon or cashmere, but in the coarse fabric of prejudice." Interweaving quotes from the subject, conversational lines by Boston Weatherford and Sanders offer details of Talley's childhood in segregated Durham, N.C., describing the church where he was surrounded by "family and love," the bullying he endured, and "unwanted touches from grown-ups who swore him to silence." Educational opportunities and mentoring by the legendary former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland led to further jobs at Women's Wear Daily, Ebony, and Vogue, and a career as a renowned journalist, editor, and stylemaker. Reportorial artwork by O'Neal nods to vintage fashion illustration in its depiction of a life full of couture runways, and elegantly portrays Talley's shift to wearing capes and kaftans following a trip to Morocco, in this book about a figure determined to radiate "the light and the beauty of my mind." An authors' note and further resources conclude. Ages 4--8. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--Weatherford and Sanders have created a beautiful nonfiction book that covers a lot of ground. André Leon Talley's story is one that begins with much darkness, but proceeds with much light, as he moved into a career as an American fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, author, and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine. His humble beginnings are discussed with care; bullying and abuse at the hands of adults were a part of his journey. Talley perseveres through this early pain to become one of the most influential fashion writers of our time. The authors gently discuss the abuse he endured; the topics are gracefully covered through the illustrations. O'Neal selects vibrant colors to illustrate Talley's story. Seeped in vintage hues, these illustrations breathe life and color into the biography. Carefully chosen quotes from Talley are a feature of the text. Richness of color provides context for the indulgence of the fashion world, which is carefully and artistically rendered. This book is an homage to Black excellence. Talley rose to the top of his game in the fashion field, despite great setbacks and trauma. This book is a great tool to talk about abuse and racism, while the end pages offer extra support for anyone struggling. VERDICT An excellent addition to any collection for its beautiful illustrations and rich history lesson. An added bonus is that its lessons of inclusivity could be a real lifeline for any child navigating difficult times.--Kelly Costanza
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
"My story is a fairy tale." So opens this empowering biography of trailblazing style maker André Leon Talley (1948-2022), the first Black man to serve asVogue's editor-at-large, creative director, and fashion news director. But this fantasy wasn't born from lucky happenstance or serendipitous privilege; Talley's talent and tenacity conjured the magic that colors his story. Growing up in Jim Crow--era North Carolina, Talley endured racism, homophobia, and sexual abuse, all the while shrouded in his grandmother's unconditional love. Fashion offered escape, and Talley took it, doggedly pursuing the work that would eventually land him an (unpaid) gig under Diana Vreeland, former editor forVogue. Talley rose to prominence, setting trends, challenging convention, and standing tall against hatred; as he put it, he "scorched the earth" with his singular vision, forever transforming the fashion industry with gifts cultivated under his grandmother's care. Weatherford and Sanders' text, interspersed with Talley's own words, renders a detailed portrait of the legendary figure, offering extensive proof of his initiative and resilience. The beauty of Blackness is named explicitly throughout, but Talley's sexual identity is broached only obliquely; while the subtlety may elude younger readers, this ambiguity will allow others to recognize their own experiences. O'Neal cleverly evokes sewing patterns of yore, a visual boon. And while both authors and illustrator pay homage to similarly magical myths--among them Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood--the narrative roughs out a real-life road map for readers who see themselves in the hero. Affirming and important. (authors' note, information on people referenced, glossary, note about HIV/AIDS, sources for quotes, bibliography)(Picture-book biography. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
