Naomi Campbell said she is finding it difficult to process the loss of her dear friend André Leon Talley, days after the fashion trailblazer died at age 73.
The supermodel paid tribute to the former creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue in a lengthy Instagram tribute she posted on Thursday, alongside a carousel of photos of the two together.
“Words cannot describe what it feels like knowing you are no longer with us in the physical form, like everyone who loves you my heart skipped a beat,” Campbell wrote. “When I heard I reached out to [Diane Von Furstenberg] who let me know you went peacefully without pain.”
Campbell remembered some of the pair’s adventures over the years, which included “flying in helicopters in Brazil and landing in a football field in a storm” and “running around Moscow buying Russian dolls,” as well as their final adventure together in Nigeria in 2019.
She also spoke of the enormous impact that Talley had on her career.
“Your unconditional love and support has never wavered, from encouraging me to pick up the phone and calling Anna Wintour and asking for my first American Vogue cover September issue to giving me the confidence to learn the Michael Jackson dance for our super bowl sobe commercial,” she wrote.
“You were Andre a ray of light filled with laughter and positivity that played a huge impact of our ever lasting family ship,” she said before signing off. “Andre is on his way to the otherside and will drape you all in divine larger than life luxury.”
“I love you always,” Campbell added. “REST EASY KING.”
After news of Talley’s death spread, tributes poured in for the fashion journalist. Talley’s literary agent David Vigliano confirmed Talley’s death to USA Today on Tuesday, but did not provide additional details.
Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation and a friend of the late editor, told The Washington Post that Talley had asthma and several chronic illnesses, and had tested positive for COVID-19 in the days before his death.
See below for some of Talley’s most iconic looks throughout the years.
