Last night I had a lazy stay-in and was in the mood to watch a documentary (as much as I enjoy docus, these moods are rare), so I took advantage and watched Bill Cunningham New York which I cannot recommend highly enough. As in, stop reading this and go watch it. It is really, really wonderful. The Telegraph had a great little write-up of it.
For those who don't know who he is, Cunningham can best be described as the original street photographer. Before The Sartorialist, before Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil, there was Bill. He has been doing the "On The Street" column for the New York Times for over 30 years.
One of his quotes the Telegraph article mentions is one of my favorites: "The wider world perceives fashion as frivolity that should be done away with. The point is that fashion is... the armor to survive the reality of everyday life! I don't think you can do away with it, it would be like doing away with civilization."
He is incredibly egalitarian. He really doesn't care who you are unless you're wearing something interesting. In his own words: "...I don't see the people I photograph. All I see are clothes. I'm only interested in people who look good. I'm looking for the stunners." And he has made it a policy to never accept anything from anyone at the events he photographs, not even a glass of water, as he says in the film, because if you're not taking their money, then they don't own you and they can't tell you what to do.
It's funny to see this humble man at the Paris shows smiling as he's getting ignored/side-eyed by the door people until someone who knows better comes out and scolds the door lady, saying, "This is the most important person in the world!" as he escorts Bill in.
There is so much in the documentary that is marvelous and special; so much that I feel that writing about it does it no justice. Just know that I was riveted throughout, and I tend to multi-task when watching *anything.* It is funny, and heartwarming, and enlightening. I came away with so much respect for this man who has devoted his entire life to being the best fashion historian we have. And we are so very lucky to have him. Not everyone could or would devote their lives to doing something like that, to go out every day, rain or shine, on a bike in New York City, just to photograph what people are wearing. It takes someone of vision and heart and integrity. We will be learning from Bill's pictures for centuries to come. Here's the trailer, so you get a taste:
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