Andre Leon Talley, Cheapskate



(image via chron)

Oh, Andre. (Averted Gaze) Mariah is not the only one who needs guidance. Our Page Six pal, the brilliant Chris Wilson, who inaugurates his Fashionweek column, starts off his behind-the-tents coverage with a robust "Talley-ho."

Apparently, Andre Leon Talley, Vogue's very own jolly caramel-hued giant, knows how to pinch a penny so hard that Abe Lincoln screams. (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment) To wit:

"IT'S good to be the best friend of Vogue editor-in- chief Anna Wintour.

"Bigfoot fashionista Andre Leon Talley, the style bible's editor-at-large and unofficial mascot, is said to have a habit of picking over the Louis Vuitton women's-collection pieces sent to Wintour, then exchanging them for credit at the New York Vuitton boutique."

(A considerable pause; eyebrow cocked) The Town Car wasn't enough, cheapie?

"One source tattles that store staffers have refused to accept any more of Talley's sneaky exchanges, and he now has to go through the design house's publicist. Vogue spokesman Patrick O'Connell said the tale was 'flatly not true,' but admitted that Talley recently visited the New York store to exchange some duds he bought in Paris."

In a sense, yes, the tale is flatly not true; however, in the stiletto-like logic of heels ...

"'They said they would send it back to Paris and, in the meantime, he could get something of equal value,' O'Connell said. 'No one wears more Louis Vuitton than Andre.'"

Andre cheapie? More Chris Wilson behind-the-tents here.