Naomi Campbell Pens A Heartfelt Letter To The Late André Leon Talley
Naomi Campbell is mourning the loss of her late friend and fashion icon André Leon Talley, who died on Tuesday at 73.
In an Instagram post, Campbell penned a heartfelt tribute to Talley alongside a collection of photos of the pair through the years. In the post, she reflected on their friendship and many experiences together, including helicopter rides in Brazil, buying Russian dolls and hats in Moscow, and dancing around her hotel room in Paris.
Campbell began the post expressing her feelings about learning of her dear friend's passing, "Words cannot describe what it feels like knowing you are no longer with us in the physical form, like everyone who loves you my heart skipped a beat."
"When I heard I reached out to @dvf [Diane von Fürstenberg] who let me know you went peacefully without pain," she continued.
The supermodel also shared a story about the friends' last vacation together— her 40th birthday celebration in Nigeria.
"Everyone said you would cancel on me last minute, and I refused to believe .. and there you came to Lagos with a wheelchair and all, and you embraced everyone, and everyone embraced you," she wrote. "You were animated, fun, and seeing all the young Nigerian creatives sitting at your feet taking notes with admiration, to going to church on Easter Sunday in Lagos, of which you said coming to Africa was like an epiphany for you .. Seeing you so happy and in your zone is how I choose to remember you."
Campbell post continued with her recounting how Talley helped her with her career, citing his unwavering love and support and utilizing his close relationship with Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour to help her secure her first cover at the magazine.
"Your unconditional love and support has never wavered, from encouraging me to pick up the phone and calling Anna Wintour and asking for my first American Vogue cover September issue..." she added, "to just sitting in bed ordering room service watching tv, you were Andre a ray of light-filled with laughter and positivity that played a huge impact of our everlasting family ship," Campbell wrote.
"Andre is on his way to the other side and will drape you all in divine larger than life luxury. I love you always," Campbell concluded. "REST EASY KING."
Talley's passing sent shockwaves through the industry, with many fashion editors, designers, models, and celebrities sharing loving tributes in honor of the trailblazer. It has since been reported that the beloved fashion editor passed away from a heart attack. Talley's presence, creative genius, and love for luxury larger-than-life will be extremely missed.