STORY: André Leon Talley's collection goes up for auction at Christie's

The fashion journalist served as creative director and editor-at-large at U.S. Vogue

[Elizabeth Seigel, Head of private and iconic collections at Christie's New York ]

“He was a larger-than-life tour de force. His work could really make or break any designer. He was Anna Wintour’s right-hand man, and he also paved the way for a new generation of those who followed him, such as Edward Enninful. He had such a discerning eye and truly understood fashion, and lived and breathed it. We're offering a number of his own pieces of couture in the collection, as well as pieces of fashion history."

Close to 400 lots include drawings, photographs and clothing

linked to his friendships with other towering industry figures

like designers Karl Lagerfeld and Diane von Furstenberg