Former Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley spoke with Gayle King for a virtual interview on CBS This Morning to promote his new memoir, The Chiffon Trenches, available on May 19. In his new book, the notorious writer opened up about his friendship with Anna Wintour and about his time at Vogue.
But in the interview, Talley revealed his relationship with Wintour, is not much of a relationship at all. “I think my relationship is in an iceberg with her,” Talley said. “I hope that it will not be that forever.”
As he explained his reasoning for writing his book, Talley stated, “I felt my story was very important,” Talley said […] It’s the story of a black man who has struggled to become and to be something. To be conscious of my role as an influential person in the fashion industry. To make my race proud of me. My blackness must, therefore, affirm that you can become this unique person in a field or industry. You can pave the way for future generations.”
The North Carolina native began working for the fashion magazine in 1983, at the age of 34. After some time, the fashion journalist earned his way to the editor-at-large position for Vogue. He also became very close with Anna Wintour, Vogue‘s Editor-In-Chief. After 30 years with the company, Talley decided to leave Vogue but continued to contribute to them for a few more years thereafter.
When asked how painful it must be for Wintour to read his book, Talley replied:
“Indeed, it is probably very hard for her to read. It was painful for me to write this.”
Talley then explained that before the publication, he sent the final version of his memoir to Wintour. He asked her to inform him if there were anything in his book that she disliked, which she did. Wintour did not want pages about her family included in Talley’s book, so he removed them.
“This is a painful thing for me, but it is a love letter because it’s a love letter about the joys as well as the lows of my life,” Talley said. “And the joys of my life have been with Anna Wintour,” he explained. “I owe to her the pioneering role that I had of a creative director of Vogue. I was the first black man to ever be named such. I owe that to Anna Wintour. I owe her much. And I think, in turn, I think she owes me. She owes me kindness and simple grace and being decent when things go south.”
A source close to the editor-in-chief of Vogue told PEOPLE that Anna is upset by how Andre portrayed her in his book, but she wishes him the best.
“I love her, “Talley said. “People see my book as a vengeful, b!t#hy tell-all. It is not. My book is in many ways as a love letter to Anna Wintour.”
