If you’ve ever picked up the New York Times on a Sunday and checked out the “Styles” section then you may have heard of Bill Cunningham. But who is Bill Cunningham? That’s the question and one that was answered all so well on opening night of Bill Cunningham New York, a documentary about the eighty-one-year old New York Times street photographer and fashion journalist.
The film chronicles his life over the past three decades of fashion photography with Mr. Cunningham usually playing tour guide himself, but not in a deliberate way at all. In fact on opening night we were told he had yet to even see the film! Amazing to learn that he still shoots all his photos on film, roams the streets of New York on a bicycle and wears a royal blue workman’s jacket worn by Parisian street sweepers. I’ll leave it at that in hopes you will be able to see it! And for all you living in Scottsdale/Phoenix, the movie will be playing at the Camelview Theatre beginning May 13th.
At the end of the film we had the opportunity to hear from the director Richard Press, and producer Philip Gefter when they joined us for a Q&A. A real treat was photographer Editta Sherman in the audience. At 98 years young, she was promoting her own book on fashion photography! (Ms. Sherman was Mr. Cunningham’s neighbor in the Carnegie Hall building before they both were evicted after living there for decades.)
What a legend and oh what a spirit! I so hope you can see it!
Shail Upadhya, a retired U.N. official from Nepal, wears colored suits of his own design often made from curtains and sofa upholstery fabric. He has been showcased in Mr. Cunningham’s On the Street column many times. Another audience treat!
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