Bill Cunningham,
the blue-jacketed originator of street-style photography who pioneered the
notion that fashion lived on the street, passed away at the age of 87 on June 25th.
Cunningham had been hospitalized following a recent stroke.
His eye was triumphantly
democratic: a single column could include Nan Kempner in custom Yves Saint Laurent beside the Club Kid fixtures whose homespun couture made New York’s
avant-garde underground churn. He worked as a kind of fashion anthropologist, who
was as passionate about chronicling trends as he was about recognizing
spectacular individuality.#racheltashjian
It seems everyone has a favorite "Bill Cunningham" story. An appearance in his column brings cocktail chatter that can last for months, even years and decades for some (you know who you are).
My favorite BC tale is during a New York City Easter Parade. My buddy Travis and I dressed for Bill. Then searched for him during our stop and pose stroll up and down Fifth Avenue. We were near the end of our Rockefeller Roundabout.
Exhausted but still posing - sometimes a camera lens can perk-you-up like an espresso. So we were perking and twerking - posing and primping - peacockin' and hard rockin' - you get the idea. And there he was, Bill Cunningham mixed in with the iphones, big lenses and tourist Kodak moments.
Not to be outdone by Travis, I sported my best profile pose - hand on hip - nose in air - swagger tilt. Out of the corner of my eye I spied BC getting pushed and shoved by the frenzy of tourists who apparently had no idea he was precious cargo.
The New York Times
I announced to Travis, 'I can't pose while they're beating up Bill Cunnigham' - so I went to BC's rescue. It's difficult to walk, smile, hold in your stomach and parade wave all at the same time, but I managed to make it over to the scuffle and told the frenzied crowd that 'we are posing for Bill - stop pushing him.' And, Bill said "I'm fine young fella, can you step back so I can get a few more pictures?"
Have you ever seen Naomi Campbell walk backwards on the catwalk? Me either . . . but somehow I managed to float backwards to my position next to Travis and we vogued.
The
term “ American Fashion Photographer” does not do justice to the work that Bill
Cunningham did for more than four decades. His photographs of New York City street style for
the New York Times are legendary.
Fashion Insiders and luminaries ranging
from iconic model Iman to
interior designer and fashion goddess Iris Apfel relied upon his lens. “We all dress for Bill,” said Vogue editor
Anna Wintour.
It seems everyone has a favorite "Bill Cunningham" story. An appearance in his column brings cocktail chatter that can last for months, even years and decades for some (you know who you are).
My favorite BC tale is during a New York City Easter Parade. My buddy Travis and I dressed for Bill. Then searched for him during our stop and pose stroll up and down Fifth Avenue. We were near the end of our Rockefeller Roundabout.
Exhausted but still posing - sometimes a camera lens can perk-you-up like an espresso. So we were perking and twerking - posing and primping - peacockin' and hard rockin' - you get the idea. And there he was, Bill Cunningham mixed in with the iphones, big lenses and tourist Kodak moments.
Exhausted but still posing - sometimes a camera lens can perk-you-up like an espresso. So we were perking and twerking - posing and primping - peacockin' and hard rockin' - you get the idea. And there he was, Bill Cunningham mixed in with the iphones, big lenses and tourist Kodak moments.
 |
| The New York Times |
Have you ever seen Naomi Campbell walk backwards on the catwalk? Me either . . . but somehow I managed to float backwards to my position next to Travis and we vogued.
The
term “ American Fashion Photographer” does not do justice to the work that Bill
Cunningham did for more than four decades. His photographs of New York City street style for
the New York Times are legendary.
Fashion Insiders and luminaries ranging from iconic model Iman to interior designer and fashion goddess Iris Apfel relied upon his lens. “We all dress for Bill,” said Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
Fashion Insiders and luminaries ranging from iconic model Iman to interior designer and fashion goddess Iris Apfel relied upon his lens. “We all dress for Bill,” said Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
