Andre Leon Talley is not one to hold his tongue and during a celebration for couture designer Ralph Rucci's recent Lifetime Achievement Award at the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum, Vogue's former editor-at-large sat down with Rucci and fashion critic Robin Givhan to talk about the abuse of the word "couture," Kim Kardashian and why Beyoncé was late to the Met Gala.
"Beyoncé was not slated to come," Talley said. "She decided to come last minute when the dress [which he later said took 350 hours to sew] arrived at her house. She tried it on and then she said, ‘OK, I have to come.’ She did arrive at 8:55 and the ball had already started, but it didn’t matter because she is Beyoncé."
One celebrity who would definitely not get the same treatment is Kim Kardashian. Even though her boyfriend, Kanye West, was in attendance, reports say Anna Wintour banned Kim K from attending the fête leaving West to strut the red carpet without her.
"What’s shocking to me is how important the red carpet is. At one point I thought it was ruining [fashion], but I don’t think that anymore," Talley said. "I don't think any celebrity can take away from fashion. Not even Kim Kardashian could take away from fashion.…Though, of course, Kim Kardashian didn’t come to the Metropolitan Met Ball, but [her boyfriend] Kanye West did."
"And see that’s the thing: Many people who I think are the celebrities, other people don’t think are the celebrities," Rucci added, implying that he doesn't think Kim K qualifies for the title. When Givhan asked if he'd ever dress the reality TV star, he replied, "No, I think that’s bastardizing yourself [as a designer]."
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