This is just way more about inside Fashion than I thought it would be. It's a lot of lists of names I don't know. I enjoyed the moments, especially nearer to the beginning, where he went more personal and discussed his background.

Wow I didn’t know anything about him and randomly read this based on a recommendation I heard on a podcast and I LOVED it! He’s so interesting and was such a trailblazer and his stories are so wild.

Fun memoir of international fashion insider and Vogue editor. Lots of name dropping and funny antics notes. Slightly abrupt ending but fun to listen to when read by the author

Listened to on Audible. Read by Andre Leon Talley himself.
I'm not personally very fashionable, but always found the world of high fashion/publishing/designers incredibly interesting. Along the same lines, any interview I've seen with ALT I have found especially interesting. Such an interesting personality.
This book covers his childhood/origins briefly, and focuses mostly on his connections and come-up story in the fashion world. Lots of name dropping and storytelling and he does not hold back his opinions, for better or worse. With that said, as much as this is a book about fashion Andre provides an interesting perspective on friendship and love.
As the narrator of the book, you can tell he does not come from a book narrating background at times, but this story can only be told in his voice. I would recommend the audio book if you're interested in this title.
Definitely would recommend for anyone who is interested in ALT, the publishing/fashion world, and going behind the scenes in an industry with notable names. I don't think this book is for everyone but it was an enjoyable escape/listen for me.

Notable quotes:
"Yet, I have found love in little interludes of
innocence or wonderful, life-enhancing bonds, and friendships that grew
out of respect, affection, and admiration. I have had many emotional highs
and definite lows when it comes to love and romance, and yet I am alone."

"In Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, the bell
keeper, shouts out, “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!”
That resonates in my life, as I have always, to the very moment I pen this,
been afraid of real life. Real life for so long has been one of selected darkness.
But the sun eventually shines. I dreamed of the life I have lived and I survived
with dignity and grace. After all, my ancestors survived the original sin of this
great country, slavery, the injustice of having to suffer racism and survive. If this
country can survive all the injustices, what is my plight and my burden? I think
it is a true wonder that I have come this far.
I have always feared life. I love living and I love looking to the endless
skies. The world can’t hurt me. No one can hurt me when I live in the circle of
faith, love, and prayer."

"It gives me unbridled joy to give love.
I always wanted love."

"Love must be kind, and it must be a two-way street. Loyalty between two persons in an alliance of true friendship is a noble human endeavor. In true friendship, a human being finds strength. Good times or bad; the highest peak or the lowest valley in one’s life."

"I moved off my friend’s floor and into a small room at the
Twenty-third Street YMCA, where I battled numerous cockroaches in the public
showers, real ones and human ones." (This one just made me laugh out loud.)

If you are interested in the creative process and iconic career of Andre Leon Talley then unfortunately this book may not be for you. Andre’s talent and knowledge led to a legendary career in the fashion industry, however, Andre chooses to play second fiddle in his own memoir to spend more time discussing his personal and professional relationships with Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld.

I understand that those people played a significant role in his life and career but Andre spends way too much time kissing up to them despite being treated poorly by them in the end. Maybe it’s just my personality regarding toxic friendships but I honestly think that Andre could have spent one chapter each on Anna and Karl to concisely discuss those relationships and kept it moving to talk about his own creative work and the that doors he opened for others in the industry.

The Chiffon Trenches shines brightest when Andre is discussing his actual work and creative input on various projects. The most memorable scene in the book was Andre talking about the now iconic “Scarlet N The Hood” photo shoot with Naomi. I was expecting the book to be filled with more of those moments and less snarky gossip. I know “tea” is typical for celebrity memoirs but Andre came across as thirsty and bragging which gave me secondhand embarrassment considering the low salary that he was was receiving for his hard work and influence. I’m not a fan of Anna Wintour at all but I found it very childish and unnecessary to diss her Met Gala outfit. At times it seems like he wrote this book with the sole purpose of throwing salt at certain people instead of keeping the focus on his illustrious career.

Honestly, this book just made me feel sad for the now deceased Talley. Despite his talent and resume he still came across as just happy to be included in these exclusive fashion industry circles among egotistical and problematic people. A lot of the friendships with people that he seemed to hold in high regard came off as surface level and phony.

This book is an education in fashion, history and culture told through the life & words of the iconic American tastemaker, writer and critic André Leon Talley. Mentored by Diane Vreeland, longtime friendships with the most major designers and influencers in the fashion industry(Karl Lagerfeld, Lee Radziwell, Oscar and Annette de la Renta, and Anna Wintour) ALT weaves a bittersweet story of passion, love and loss in the world of cloture. During his time he was the only African American to be invited to the most influential fashion houses and catwalks of Paris and he wrote about those moments for the prominent pages of Interview, WWD, W, Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines.. ALT’s story will inspire you to be authentic and persevere. And get out the Google search! So many names, places and words to look up!