Christie's Is Auctioning Collection of André Leon Talley's Luxury Goods

When the celebrated fashion editor André Leon Talley passed in January 2022, he left behind not only an incredible archive of glossy editorials and a legacy that would create room for other Black creatives to enter the industry behind him — he also had amassed a collection of luxury items which now need new homes.

And while Mr. Talley may be gone, his big heart remains: In his will, he dictated that his goods be sold at auction, with the sales split between the Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Harlem institution he regularly attended, and the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown of Durham, North Carolina.

Christie’s has been entrusted with the sale of some 400-plus lots, some of which will go up for auction online beginning January 27; the sale will culminate in a live auction of 68 lots, set to be held on February 15. Items up for sale include customized Louis Vuitton luggage sets, glassware by Hèrmes, vintage sunglasses from the likes of Gucci and Bottega Veneta, signed screen prints from Andy Warhol, a pair of Baccarat crystal candlesticks, and more.

André Leon Talley, Abyssinian Church Protest Police Shooting 2006. Photo: Courtesy Alexis E. Thomas

A portion of the collection will be on view in Palm Beach until January 31, which was celebrated with an opening luncheon and a lively conversation for some 100 guests, with Christie’s inviting PALMER’s Editorial Director Stefano Tonchi to host.

“André has been a continuous presence throughout my career, from my early days at Italian Vogue until my recent time as Editor-in-Chief of W Magazine. I have many great personal memories of André at social gatherings and at fashion shows when he captured everybody’s attention with his presence and his intelligence,” Stefano says. “It is a real honor to be able to celebrate his memory and his legacy by hosting a luncheon and a conversation in Palm Beach on the occasion of the auction of some of his possessions. I am excited to look at Christie’s collection and talk with two designers that he championed, LaQuan Smith and Vania Leles, about his legacy.”

During his panel, Stefano shared memories of Mr. Talley from across his own legendary career. And the three discussed what they’d most like from the auction: LaQuan loves the white alligator coat from Prada, where Vania has her eye on the matching Chanel cuffs.

A viewing of the collection will next be held in Paris, timed to the couture shows, before ending in New York.