Bill Cunningham - the one

"The best fashion show is definitely on the streets. Always has and always will be" - Bill Cunningham

So who is this old gentleman dressed in a bright blue sweeper jacket with a camera across his body, zooming through the New York city traffic on his vintage red bike? This is one of the (globally) most influential photographers and one of the biggest fashion inspiration to everyone who wants to make it in this world.

Bill Cunningham is known for his individuality and precision - even though he likes to take snapshots of people running around the city, he always gets it to perfection. Whether it is outside the fashion week shows or on the streets, where people are always in a hurry. This is what real life is all about, this is what real fashion is all about because this is what we live in. "I'm not interested in celebrities and their free dresses. I'm interested in clothes." says Bill Cunningham when asked about his work. It has now become very common to be asked on the streets by someone if they can take a photo of your outfit. However there is nothing like seeing a picture of yourself captured while running to the subway, in New York Times.

This unique photographer has two columns in the NYTimes - one is about the extravagant life of the fashion editors and celebrities, the after parties and the backstage of the fashion shows. The second column is all about the trend setting and spotting the individuality in all the New York-ers day by day. It is incredible what is seen by the eyes of Bill and what not many other people would even notice. He lets himself go that extra mile every time he collects his research for the new article. He is a perfectionist.

"We all dress for Bill." - Anna Wintour

Although you may think that this man is made of money - surely someone that has been writing for New York Times for most of their career would live in a mansion and travel in a limo while taking snaps of people's outfits. Bill Cunningham is a simple man, living in a tiny apartment filled with books and film from his camera. He archives every single photo he has ever taken. Bill doesn't care about money - "You see if you don't take money, they can't tell you what to do kid."

The movie "Bill Cunningham New York" is a proof of what an inspiration this gentleman is and how much drive and passion he has for what he does. The moment the pictures get published is the moment he gets his pay - the pride in what he does.

xoxo