Zappos Goes Ultra-Chic with ALT

Online retailer Zappos has announced the addition of André Leon Talley to its team as artistic director, completely changing our perception of the website. We know and love Zappos for its colossal selection of shoes, all accessible by a click of the mouse, but the website was due for a bit of a tune-up. And there are few individuals who could initiate a reboot like Mr. Talley.

With a résumé that boasts covetable roles from Andy Warhol's assistant to Vogue's editor-at-large, Talley will bring a wealth of experience and artistry to Zappos. Following the example of Net-a-Porter and Lucky, Zappos will debut Talley's work on the company's high end site Zappos Couture in January, complete with shoppable editorial content.

Talley cites the dawning of the digital age as motivation for the collaboration, saying in WWD:

The digital universe is a new, exciting opportunity for me to reach a broad audience in terms of the global luxury market.

Zappos initiated the revamp as an antidote to its somewhat lackluster reputation, in hopes of expanding its consumer base to include shoppers seeking more extravagant purchases. The Zappos Couture site currently offers a small selection of designer wares including Pierre Balmain and Vivienne Westwood, but Zappos Couture buyer Jennifer Sidary anticipates that more designer brands will be interested in joining Zappos after Talley's remodel.

Judging by the success of fashion's foray into digital content so far, Zappos is headed in the right direction. Come January, couture mavens will have a new destination for indulgence and inspiration.