The fashion world is in mourning following the death of Andre Leon Talley at the age of 73.

According to reports, the “Vogue” icon died at a hospital in White Plains, New York on Tuesday, 18 January. The cause of death is not yet known.

Fashion designer and longtime friend, Diane von Furstenberg, paid tribute to Talley that same day via Twitter.

“No one saw the world in a more elegant and glamorous way than you did,” she wrote. “No one was more soulful and grander than you were … I will miss your loud screams and your loyal friendship.”

Born in Washington D.C. in 1948, Talley was primarily raised by his grandmother in North Carolina. He received a Masters degree in French Literature from Brown University in 1972; from then until 1988, he worked for various publications such as “Women’s Wear Daily” and “The New York Times”, where he held top styling and creative director positions.

In 1988, Talley was appointed by Anna Wintour as creative director of “Vogue” magazine, a position he held until 1995. It was a move, he said, that made him “the highest-ranking black man in the history of fashion journalism.” He also served as editor-at-large of “Vogue” from 1998 until 2013.

No doubt the cause of the icon’s death will be revealed in due course.

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