I'd initially hesitated on blogging about the movie, Bill Cunningham New York—a documentary about the phenomenal New York Times photographer, who, at 82, is still out and about on his bicycle, chronicling (in film!) the frocks of NYC's true-blue fashionistas—because anything I say wouldn't do justice to the man who has devoted his working life to art and beauty. (See, even that feels so lacking in impact. You must see the movie.)
Cunningham is now my favorite octogenarian.
I actually "met" Cunningham at this Hamptons event last summer. Someone mentioned in passing who he was, but, out of sheer ignorance, I didn't realize the magnitude of what that meant. Had I known what and who I was around, I would have dropped everything and have given Bill Cunningham a big hug (I wonder though how he would've responded). Instead, I went about my business taking snapshots of the likes of Star Jones and all those people. Sigh. Sad, but true.
Talking to identically-dressed women. I love Cunningham's attitude! Soo endearing.
Again, I really can't verbalize this whole thing enough—how heart-tugging it was to see him patch up a black poncho; how that trademark blue shirt is actually a run-of-the-mill uniform French street workers wear; how he NEVER takes a bite or sip at dinner parties; how he refers to himself as "the man on the bicycle" when phoning the store that develops rolls of his film; and more. So, check out the trailer to get a glimpse of this remarkable man and his legendary work AND breathtaking work ethic.
Oooh! Excited to see this!
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