Featured Image: SCAD
When fashion icon André Leon Talley bequeathed his personal collection to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he left behind more than exquisite garments; he entrusted the institution with his legacy. Running at both SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta and SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah now until March, “Andre Leon Talley: Style is Forever” marks the celebration of one of fashion’s most influential voices, known for his unapologetic flair.
Curator and Creative Director Rafael Gomes, who began collaborating with Talley on this project before Talley’s passing, presents an intimate portrait of the man himself, complete with custom mannequins bearing his likeness. We spoke with Gomes about the emotional journey of honoring his dear friend, the profound responsibility of installing a collection that spans bespoke shoes to personal ephemera, and what he hopes visitors will experience as they encounter Talley’s belongings.
How did you go about curating the exhibit?
André and I began working on this exhibition before the pandemic. His original vision was to create vignettes around specific designers and collections—Ralph Rucci, a Manolo Blahnik shoe wall, Charvet ties, among others. Sadly, he passed before we could complete that vision. We are honoring him, [but] we shifted the focus to celebrate André himself: as a mentor, an icon, and a voice who shaped the cultural landscape of fashion. Every curatorial choice has been made with the question, “How would André want to be remembered?”
Beyond the obvious connection to Talley, why is this particular exhibit such a special one for SCAD FASH?
This exhibition is a profound celebration of André’s enduring relationship with SCAD. He was an inspiration, a mentor, and an unwavering champion of our students. Presenting his legacy here is not only an homage to his towering place in fashion history but also a gift to our students and the public. It allows them to learn from his brilliance, his courage, and his unapologetic voice. For us, it is deeply personal—André was part of the SCAD family.
The opening of this exhibition also falls on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of our SCAD FASH museum, a university institution that has become part of the vibrant arts and cultural fabric of Atlanta. SCAD FASH was deeply influenced and shaped by André as he played a vital role in its establishment and the international prestige of our fashion exhibitions program.
What has it been like to put together this exhibit? Do you find yourself pausing more frequently to consider memories with André or being torn between which garments to include?
It has been an emotional journey. At every stage, I find myself asking: “What would André think?”, “How would he describe this?”, “How would he want this moment to feel?” Those questions have guided me constantly.
He was a dear friend of our President Paula Wallace, many of us at SCAD knew him well, and the process has stirred powerful memories that have shaped our time at the university. There have been tears, moments of laughter, and a collective sense of responsibility to do justice to someone we all admired so deeply. The simultaneous presentation at SCAD FASH in Atlanta and our contemporary art museum, SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, in the dedicated André Leon Talley gallery, has been a blessing—it allows us to show nearly the full breadth of what he left to the university and, in doing so, to honor him as fully as possible.
What is something special or unique that attendees should make sure not to miss during their tour of the exhibit?
We commissioned a sculpture by SCAD alumnus Stephen Hayes and used it as the face of the bespoke mannequins, giving the garments a lifelike character and dignity that evokes André himself. Alongside this, visitors will hear André’s own voice in the space through carefully selected quotes that echo throughout the exhibition. Together, these elements make the experience deeply immersive—transforming it from a display of garments into a powerful encounter with André’s spirit.
To further commemorate this exhibition, SCAD also produced a scholarly catalogue published by Rizzoli to offer a further exploration of this collection and André’s legacy. The book is deeply personal with essays, stories, and memories from his closest friends including our SCAD President Paula Wallace, and others such as Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford, and Carolina Herrera. The book features archive images and new photography by talented SCAD alum Allen Cooley. This is a celebratory volume that will stand as a lasting testament within the context of the exhibition.
If Talley could see the exhibit himself, what do you think he would say about it?
I hope, with all my heart, that André would be pleased. We created this exhibition with love, respect, and immense gratitude. Perhaps he would smile at the fact that while we do not have the shoe wall exactly as he imagined, we have something even more powerful: his garments worn as though by him, his voice resonating in the galleries, and his story presented with reverence. I believe he would feel celebrated, seen, and remembered.
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