Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Saturday 4 October 2008

Bill Cunningham: Who Knew?

I've been reading the US press online this week because of the VP debate and the bailout and discovered the wonderful photo and audio essays on fashion on the street by Bill Cunningham in the New York Times.

I had never heard of this guy, but he is wonderful, here he is talking about the new trend for lace. And he's been doing this for fifty years!

15 comments:

La Belette Rouge said...

I really enjoyed this. I love his voice and his analysis. Thanks for posting it!

Anonymous said...

Nice to see that that Prada lace jacket in two colors too!

NancyDaQ said...

Bill is a treasure. I've been enjoying his photography in the NY Times for years. I'm glad the editors got around to giving him an interactive format so we can hear his POV as well.

Anonymous said...

I've got in the habit of looking for his latest Sunday audio slideshow on Fridays and I feel resentful if it's not up until Saturday. His voice! Lovely spirit. Even my husband (not interested in Fashion kinda guy) has become a fan.

The Sartorialist had a wonderful photo of Bill (Sept 10) at recent NY fashion week. (Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it)

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2008/09/on-streetbill-cunningham-nyc.html

Anonymous said...

Oh! That page on Satorialist I linked to is working, but a little strangely.... you need to scroll down a bit.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to be so hoggy here (I'm such a fan of Bill...)

Here's another nice tribute and a blog you may enjoy:

http://pictureyear.blogspot.com/2008/08/invisible-man.html

Anonymous said...

Interesting to hear his voice, which reminds me of my Dad's voice with that New York-y inflection; I think guys from a certain period(and I include my father in that, though if he were still alive, he'd be so much older than Bill Cunningham)especially from New York who had some connection with the garment business, had an interest in fabrics and in interesting fabrics and what could be done with them..and they were not afraid to talk about that. Being interested in that sort of thing was not considered some sort of 'sign' of sexual preference or anything like that. Now, it's a totally different thing.

Miss Cavendish said...

Bill's features in the Sunday NYT are always a favorite. He has a wonderful eye for spotting trends . . .

Anonymous said...

I grew up with Bill Cunningham. His voice, which I only heard a little while ago, seems to be flavored with a Boston accent.

He's fun, but I have to admit that my loyalties have migrated to The Sartorialist.

Duchesse said...

Your readers who are NYT readers will know and love Bill. My favourite are his true street photos instead of his social page shots. Scott Schuman at The Sartorialist is directly in his lineage.

Linda, I opened the Globe & Mail's book section yesterday to see a huge Penguin Group (Candada) announcement for their 3 Booker shortlist publications and had such a rush of joy seeing your book there!

Disneyrollergirl.net said...

Lovely to hear his commentary, although some of those outfits were...ugh! I wonder how he feels about all the attention The Sartorialist gets? Something tells me he probably doesn't mind and just gets on with doing what he's doing.

Anonymous said...

I have been listening and watching Bill's slideshow for months.

I think the slideshow is fabulous.

Anonymous said...

And I'm hoping that you'll forgive my previous comment being sans without a much-needed preposition.

Anonymous said...

This is really great stuff. He just got a brand new fan!

Anonymous said...

Exercise in delayed gratification.
I know that On the Streets comes out during the weekend but hold off until my NY Times news alert comes through early Monday afternoon - by which time Bill's feature makes a delicious break in my work routine.
I love his delight in life, colour and style - his enthusiasm, in short.
And he really ups the ante as far as fashion and style are concerned - after watching his pieces I think twice before pulling on the usual jeans and Converse sneakers... (although they have their place too)