The Chiffon Trenches

A Memoir

By: André Leon Talley

Narrated by: André Leon Talley

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the pages of Vogue to the runways of Paris, this “captivating” (Time) memoir by a legendary style icon captures the fashion world from the inside out, in its most glamorous and most cutthroat moments.

“The Chiffon Trenches honestly and candidly captures fifty sublime years of fashion.”—Manolo Blahnik

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • Fortune • Garden & Gun • New York Post

During André Leon Talley’s first magazine job, alongside Andy Warhol at Interview, a fateful meeting with Karl Lagerfeld began a decades-long friendship with the enigmatic, often caustic designer. Propelled into the upper echelons by his knowledge and adoration of fashion, André moved to Paris as bureau chief of John Fairchild’s Women’s Wear Daily, befriending fashion's most important designers (Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta). But as André made friends, he also made enemies. A racially tinged encounter with a member of the house of Yves Saint Laurent sent him back to New York and into the offices of Vogue under Grace Mirabella.

There, he eventually became creative director, developing an unlikely but intimate friendship with Anna Wintour. As she rose to the top of Vogue’s masthead, André also ascended, and soon became the most influential man in fashion.

The Chiffon Trenches offers a candid look at the who’s who of the last fifty years of fashion. At once ruthless and empathetic, this engaging memoir tells with raw honesty the story of how André not only survived the brutal style landscape but thrived—despite racism, illicit rumors, and all the other challenges of this notoriously cutthroat industry—to become one of the most renowned voices and faces in fashion.

Woven throughout the book are also André’s own personal struggles that impacted him over the decades, along with intimate stories of those he turned to for inspiration (Diana Vreeland, Diane von Fürstenberg, Lee Radziwill, to name a few), and of course his Southern roots and faith, which guided him since childhood.

The result is a highly compelling read that captures the essence of a world few of us will ever have real access to, but one that we all want to know oh so much more about.

©2020 André Leon Talley (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The joy of reading about André Leon Talley’s journey in The Chiffon Trenches is coupled with knowing that he survived and thrived by being revered and respected by those at every level of fashion. That never goes out of style.”—Tamron Hall, award-winning journalist and host of Tamron Hall

“André Leon Talley’s fantastic memoir, The Chiffon Trenches, is a riveting, enthralling, and heartbreaking read, tracing the incredible arc of his life from growing up in the Jim Crow South to what it took for him to come to New York and, thanks to his vast talent and work ethic, gain the respect and recognition of the legends of his day, including Diana Vreeland, Andy Warhol, Karl Lagerfeld, and Anna Wintour. André has lived life at the epicenter of the most glamourous worlds of fashion in both Paris and New York; and now this book is one more chapter in his amazing legacy.”—Wendy Goodman, design editor of New York

“André Leon Talley is the preeminent fashion historian of his generation. His rare quality of mind and the depth of his knowledge infuse The Chiffon Trenches with a spirited voice, keen sensibility, and cultural intellect. The poly-sonic narrative incorporates histories of styles and collections; reveals fashion politics imbued with racism, power plays, fears, and ignorance; and describes with compelling honesty the impact of these forces on his black body.”—Dr. Janis A. Mayes, African/Diasporan Francophone Studies, Syracuse University

Informative and Honest

I enjoyed hearing Mr. Talley narrate. Next to James Earl Jones... his voice. I learned a lot about the fashion industry from a Black male perspective but from a Man with incredible fashion knowledge. Thank you Sir.

My favorite book!

This book is so exquisite in every way. So glad I got to read it.

Loved Loved LOVED

Andre's beautifully told accounts are easily the most relaxing and informative stories i have ever heard on Audible. A fashion major and lover listening to Andre tell of his time with Karl or Lee are like sitting around a coffee table listening to a grand storyteller recount fashions most memorable moments. While telling his truth he eloquently details time spent with Ana Wintour and sets the Devil Wears Prada myths straight " Ana Wintour would never throw her bags like that" of course she wouldn't she loves and respects fashion far too much!
As a person who has spent the better part of her adulthood loving and admiring the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair and WWD and loving his beautiful takes on the worlds top designers and collections. Listening to this was such a treat, Thank you Andre for such a beautifully told story! A definite relisten for sure.

A MUST!

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE BOOK. HIS STYLE OF NARRATION MAKES YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU WERE THERE WITH HIM AT EVERY EVENT DESCRIBED. WHAT WISDOM! YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

A rare glimpse into the world of high fashion

Andre tells his story eloquently as he take you into the story of his life. You hear antidotes of some of the most interesting people in fashion. If you love fashion, I highly recommend this book!

National Treasure

I'm blown away by Mr. Talley's book .... he is a living American treasure and as a POC Mr. Talley is a shining example and a trailblazer .... THANK YOU 💜🔥

A Towering Admission

Andre.....Sir, & Dr. of Fashion, Andre Leon Talley has walked us through some of the most fascinating and personal moments of his life. At certain points I thought to myself, "Andre, why are you biting the hand that has fed you?", or " Andre, did you really need to go there?", and then I was reminded, this is HIS memoir. A memoir has no rules, and he took the very bold challenge not to follow any other but his own. Bravo. Bravo Andre for your courage, candor, and impeccable knowledge that will be extremely hard pressed to ever be duplicated again.

Loved this so much!!!

This was a total crash course in 50 years of high fashion. Andre is Fabulous!

Gorgeous prospective

ALT deserves this platform to recount glamour through his experiences. Lots to do about Anna, at times.

In His Voice

Andre Leon Talley takes you on a first row journey through the world of fashion. I appreciate the honesty about his personal experiences and values and his ups and downs with friends and associates. I especially love that this is in his own voice. His personality, energy and distinct speaking style bring life and meaning to his stories.