| Bill and an admirer at Fashion’s Night Out, September 8, 2011. |
I was so sad to learn of the passing of legendary New York Times street style photographer Bill Cunningham on Saturday at the age of 87. I always got such a kick from seeing Bill outside his favorite post on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, watching people walk by and snapping away at outfits or accessories that caught his eye. I would also see him at press previews for costume exhibits at the Met and it made me laugh that Bill wanted to work, and would be working, but he’d get stopped every other minute by magazine editors and journalists who wanted to say hello!
I feel like his spirit will live on just outside of Bergdorf’s where I saw him the most, and I hope the city will consider honoring him by renaming that corner Bill Cunnhingham Way. It would be so fitting.
I loved the joy and beauty and passion he brought to all of our lives with his photographs. He will be terribly missed.
| Bill at work, unnoticed at first... |
Posts I’ve written about Bill over the years include seeing him at Fashion’s Night Out in 2010 and 2011, what he taught me about photography, and a review of the wonderful documentary Bill Cunningham New York. I do believe I’m in a picture he took—one morning on my way to Bloomingdale’s I was crossing Fifth Avenue on 57th Street. I was dressed in a black cardigan and black trousers and wore an extremely bright Hermès Twilly (this one) at my neck. The gentleman just ahead of me and a bit to the side was also dressed in black, a suit, and also wore an extremely bright tie and socks. We crossed the street at the same time and there was no one else around. I looked up and to my surprise, saw Bill, at the corner, with his camera focused in our direction, taking a picture! I never saw the picture published, unfortunately, but it was pretty exciting to see Bill’s lens pointed at this gentleman and me!
| ...but people started to realize who was taking pictures! |
If you have stories to share of Bill, I’d love to hear them. There’s a great piece over at the New York Times by Cathy Horyn, “What It Was Like to Be Photographed by Bill Cunningham,” originally published back in 2002, featuring different fashion industry and media insiders reminiscing about Bill.
12 comments:
It is the end of an era, no doubt.
bisous
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, I think the same exact thing, it is the end of an era. I know he lived a nice long life and yet I am so sad at his passing. I hope all is well with you! xx
Hi Jill,
Bill Cunningham was a Manhattan fixture. I saw him a few times zipping around in his bike wearing his signature khaki pants. Also taking photos by BG.
Well, I am so glad you caught his eye with your ensemble. He must have liked the way you looked which I am sure was terrific.
Bill seems to have loved what he was doing in a city he loved. Lucky guy.
And, yes, definitely the end of an era. So sad
I was sad to read of his passing. I hope someone can publish a book with the many of the unseen photos, I'm sure he had saved. Maybe you will see that photo of yourself someday Jill.
Hi Rosie, I'm glad to know you saw Bill around town too! I hope they rename that corner in his honor and do a retrospective of his work too. I think Bill probably liked what the guy in front of me was wearing better, though I thought we made an interesting pair, both in black with neon accents. Hope all is well with you! xx
I liked the doco. He was a very shy, private man and it was painful to watch him cringe when the interviewer asked about his relationships/sexuality. I liked his quiet dignity in not going there and unassuming manner in not wanting to be close friends with all those big names and the spartan existence he led at his humble Carnegie Tower apartment.
He led a full life with a peaceful ending. Sad at such an NYC Institution passing but glad at no tragic suffering.
Hi Jill,
Plan to watch the doc on Cunningham this weekend
Hello Duchess! I have already read that tributes are happening in Bill's honor so I bet at least one book will be published featuring his work. I won't be surprised if the Met honors him with a retrospective and I just signed a petition over at Change.org to rename the corner of 57th and 5th that he liked to work on "Bill Cunningham Corner." Go sign it if you get a chance they are still looking for over a 1,000 signatures! https://www.change.org/p/bill-de-blasio-rename-the-corner-of-57th-street-fifth-avenue-bill-cunningham-corner
Hi GSL, are you back home yet? I will try to rewatch the documentary this weekend. I felt so bad for Bill when they pressed him on his sexuality. When he started crying, I started crying too! He was a unique individual and I think he knew he had to hold himself apart in order to document in photographs the rich denizens of New York society! I like that work of his, but, of course, I prefer his street style pictures of people who aren't famous, who none of us know. xx
Hi again Rosie, let me know what you think of the film. I think you will enjoy it. I love all the parts that feature NYC in the 70s and 80s! xx
What a nice tribute post.
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hi Alice, this post is the least I could do in honor of Bill, who inspired me in so many ways! xx
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