i so adore him for actually asking for this, i know quite lots of fashion people that hate front row seats, its true you need to look pleasant all the time, or else your reaction might easily go public, even if its just by chance
from wwd
FASHION WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM: André Leon Talley has made an unusual request this fashion week: he doesn’t want to be anywhere near the front row or the cameras. Part of it is due to the level of, um, scrutiny Talley has been subjected to in the past, but he said he also just wanted to tip his hat to his colleague, sittings editor at large Camilla Nickerson, whose shoot for October’s Vogue is the “It” reference of the season. “The whole thing has spiraled out of control,” said Talley. And anyway, he said, “I’m tall. I can see from the fourth row, the scrum or back in the bleachers. It’s not where you sit. It’s the contribution you bring with your ideas and your talent.”
The request had everyone confused, though.
One showroom person who handles seating said, “I’ve had people from the Rocky Mountain News tell me they want to sit in the front row, but I have never had someone tell me they don’t want to sit in the front row.”
Others were worried that because of all the press in the tents, the showrooms would be written up for bad behavior for having sat the legendary editor at large in the back, even though that was precisely what he wanted.
But some things don’t change. According to one insider, Talley’s assistant went so far as to relay the un-diva-like request by gently suggesting that Talley might not attend unless he was moved. And there was the fabulous fur coat and shades he was sporting at Diane von Furstenberg, which seemed to be the fashion editor’s idea of invisible chic that, naturally, meant he was highly visible. —
from wwd