Andre Leon Talley, style arbiter: Uggs can be as chic as heels for women
I love Andre Leon Talley the same way I “love” Karl Lagerfeld. I think they’re probably awful human beings with really screwed up priorities, but they’re funny and witty and they’re both massive bitches, and I appreciate that quality in a man. Talley (also known as ALT) was an editor-at-large for Vogue, and I think his current title is “contributing editor”. He and Anna Wintour are still relatively tight (as much as you can be “tight” with Wintour), and ALT is still very involved in the fashion world. These are photos of ALT wearing the same muumuu throughout this week (NYFW). Years ago, ALT was losing weight and exercising and focusing more on his health… but it looks like his program has stumbled, right? Poor Andre.
Anyway, I had come across these photos and I was dying to write about him, and I came across the perfect interview to excerpt. Styleite caught up with ALT at Laura Smalls show a few days ago, and ALT had a lot to say about Uggs and Michelle Obama.
Last night, we had the honor of viewing Laura Smalls‘ spring 2013 collection. The Michelle Obama-approved designer sent out a smattering of tailored looks, and sitting right across from us in the front row was André Leon Talley in a burgundy ensemble, and wait, Uggs? Indeed.
We caught up with the 62-year-old Talley, who said that Smalls has great potential and that Michelle truly inspires women.
“I thought that Laura has great promise,” he told us. “I think she has very sophisticated ideas, and that she’s a woman of great promise and has a great future. I think the pieces could be interpreted by Madame Obama for herself, definitely. Michelle Obama is an icon. She’s the greatest icon of our times. She’s a great First Lady and a great orator. I think she inspires women to be liberated in their fashion, as well as be liberated in their lives and what they do.”
And we of course had to ask about his Uggs.
“Yes, and why not? I’m in it for comfort. When I discovered Uggs, it was a revelation. I love Uggs. Uggs can be as chic as heels for women. Uggs are comfort shoes and it’s important to have a shoe that gives you a sense of comfort. I have about 15 pair of Uggs — the same shoe, the same color. And I also have the bedroom slippers. It’s my shoe of choice at this moment of 2012 — it has been my shoe of choice. I love that you noticed I’m wearing Uggs. And this is a Tom Ford bag.”
But wait, that’s not all! He had more to say about his footwear of choice:
“Uggs for me are a moment of utilitarian comfort that keeps you anchored in the reality of today’s world, which is very important. People have forgotten, and we’re all so busy running around, and these shoes give me a grounding. Men also have shoes, but sometimes, those tight little fabulous shoes are not exactly the thing you could wear for eight hours a day.”
Who would have guessed that ALT would be a proponent of comfort over beauty? That he would be such a tireless promoter of… Uggs? Imagine if Anna Wintour dared to work New York Fashion Week in Uggs! She would be run out of Fashion Week!
As for ALT declaring Michelle Obama as “the greatest icon of our times” – yeah, I really love FLOTUS too, but I think putting her on that kind of pedestal (superficial or not) is never a good thing.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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