Even though he no longer works at Vogue, André Leon Talley continues to be a force within the fashion industry. The former editor-at-large for the fashion bible has worked with an envious list of big names in the art and fashion world and currently serves as artistic director for digital magazine Zappos Couture. In an interview with HuffPost Style, Talley talked about his thoughts on the industry, his success, what his biggest regret has been and what he's learned during his career.

"[The] biggest takeaway I got from Vogue, but I also got it from Women's Wear Daily where I worked, too, is meet your deadline; be way ahead of your deadline; get it in. And if it has to be edited, that's fine, too. Present what is considered the attitude. That was one of the biggest things I learned," Talley said. "That may sound snobbish, not the attitude, but the attitude of confidence. The attitude that you know what you are talking about. The attitude of confidence in your personal deportment, in your personal statement about clothing, as well as in your presentation for the magazine. Represent the magazine with the attitude that is engaging and rewarding, inviting, not intimidating to the industry."
Talley also admitted to what advice he'd give his 25-year-old self ("Have more affairs.") and his biggest career regret.
"I was given the greatest opportunity to write the definitive biography of Yves Saint Laurent and I didn't do that. I would say that — I'm not going to make excuses and say that I was too young — but that's the one thing that I regret," he said. "I was given this great opportunity and it could have been a defining moment, a legacy, and I had the contract and I didn't do it. I don't think about that everyday, but that is my one big regret."
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(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)