Every now and then you come across something that while it is not something you would normally seek out, it is something that you undeniably connect with.
This was the case with a documentary put together about Bill Cunningham called Bill Cunningham New York.
Bill Cunningham would have to be one of the strangest but the most fascinating of men and this quirky little documentary captured me in the strangest of ways.
So introduction…
Bill Cunningham is a New York based street fashion photographer. Still actively photographing, he is a spritely 83 years of age who rides his bicycle around the streets of New York with an antiquated SLR (using the old fashioned film/negatives for those who can still remember using them), capturing fabulous natural images of leading fashion personalities.
Initially working in advertising and as a milliner, having his own hat label ‘William J’ was, drafted in the U.S. Army, where upon his return he merged into the fashion world becoming one of its most renowned street photographers, a career of which has, to date, spanned decades.
The documentary, Bill Cunningham New York follows him around New York and gives a bit of a behind the scenes coverage of his day to day routine as well as revealing the honesty of his own very individual fashion philosophy.
While I sat watching rather amused at this peculiar, yet unbelievably fascinating gentleman, I could help be a bit concerned with the parallels with my own life; I worked in advertising, had a foray into millinery, was then drafted into motherhood (became somewhat of a sergeant major), discovered photography and have always had a insatiable penchant for a most curious of fashion styles.
Where Bill differentiates himself from other fashion photographers is that he is clearly not a follower. It is irrelevant what the label is, or who the designer is. What captures the attention of his camera handiwork is the style or the point of difference of the garment rather than the garment itself. He is not into boring designs or, as he politely states, celebrities that wear freebie dresses – his eye is drawn to those prepared to make bold statements or forge eclectic styles of their own, no matter how courageous, wild or mismatched it may seem. He sees things that other do not.
This is where the parallels fall with me. I have always had an eye of the unusual. It is not the label that attracts me, it is something unique in the styling that in some why appeals to my eye, and it is not always something that is explainable. It can be the texture of the fabric, the hue of that particular shade of red, the combination with which appears, or the fact that it is simply so outrageous that it makes me laugh, smile, smirk or cringe.
It doesn’t always apply to fashion either, it applies to food as well, something in the presentation, the name or use of ingredients. It is my senses that responds, it is instinctual.
This is why I loved watching Bill. So honest, so real and so true to fashion and to himself. What is not to admire.
I have managed to track down a trailer of the documentary and it is available for Purchase Online although I have found a few free streaming sites, though I am not sure how reputable they are so I will leave you to search for them yourself.
Bill Cunningham New York is avialable through iTunes to but or rent, so check it out, and enjoy his flamboyant, yet modest view on fashion…
Or visit his website:
http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork/
This post was written by Petra Frieser – Pebbles + Pomegranate Seeds
