Christie’s has recently auctioned the pieces from the personal vintage luggage collection of late legendary fashion editor André Leon Talley. The collection included seven lots of Louis Vuitton suitcases and trunks, all dating back to the 1990s. All these luggage pieces were part of a larger collection of Talley’s other personal belongings, such as fine art, jewelry, and handbags, which were also auctioned by Christie’s.
The Highlighting Pieces
The treasure trove of luggage collection included some highlighting items. One of them was a classic brown monogrammed hard-side trunk. With a size of 35 inches, the trunk has space for multiple outfits and even hangers. It’s also customized with the initials of Talley painted in yellow. There was also a pair of hard-side briefcases from a limited-edition series. It was part of the designer collaboration between artist Stephen Sprouse and Louis Vuitton. The briefcases feature graffiti-like lettering, one in brown and the other in gray. They also come with luggage tags and keys. The black leather and silver metallic textured briefcase is another eye-catching luggage piece that comes with multiple compartments, including one for a laptop.
The Man Himself
Born in 1948, André Leon Talley earned a Master’s Degree in French literature and started his career by assisting Diana Vreeland, editor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in NYC. Then, Talley went on to build a groundbreaking career in the fashion world that spanned over five decades. He became the first African-American creative head of Vogue. According to Elizabeth Seigel, the head of Christie’s iconic and private collections, Talley possessed a singular and timeless fashion sensibility. Categorically chic in his taste and appearance, he amassed an unparalleled collection of tasteful belongings throughout his life. From custom Tom Ford caftans to monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage and trunks, every piece of each lot selected for the auction is imbued with personal meaning and linked to his larger-than-life persona and inspiring legacy.