The other day, I went to see "Bill Cunningham New York," the documentary on the famous street fashion photographer for the New York Times. It was a wonderful and well put-together film that held my interest visually and emotionally, and painted a cohesive (though I'd hesitate to call it in-depth) portrait of the mysterious and quirky character that is Bill Cunningham.
A little known fact to most, and the main reason for this blog entry, is Cunningham's first steps into the fashion industry working as a milliner.
(I highly recommend checking out this From the Archives with Bill Cunningham video feature on the New York Times website to see several photos of Cunningham's hats with colorful commentary by the man himself. You can also view a slideshow of Bill Cunningham hats here.)
Cunningham's creations are incredibly original and witty, and brought a smile to my face. Perhaps he was a little too avant garde for his time, but I'm surprised his millinery is not featured more prominently in fashion history. Looking at his hats, I can see how he lived out one of his credos: "Lots of people have taste; few are daring to be creative."
Also worthy of note was the section where Cunningham stops by a "Save the Garment Center" demonstration. Cunningham considered this a lost cause saying, "It's too late." I do hope he's wrong about that.
There are several things I will take away with me from this movie, and several things that have put me in deep thought since I saw it. But it was the proclamation that brought Cunningham himself to tears when he uttered it that sums things up the best: "It's as true today as it ever was: he who seeks beauty will find it."
A little known fact to most, and the main reason for this blog entry, is Cunningham's first steps into the fashion industry working as a milliner.
(I highly recommend checking out this From the Archives with Bill Cunningham video feature on the New York Times website to see several photos of Cunningham's hats with colorful commentary by the man himself. You can also view a slideshow of Bill Cunningham hats here.)
Cunningham's creations are incredibly original and witty, and brought a smile to my face. Perhaps he was a little too avant garde for his time, but I'm surprised his millinery is not featured more prominently in fashion history. Looking at his hats, I can see how he lived out one of his credos: "Lots of people have taste; few are daring to be creative."
Also worthy of note was the section where Cunningham stops by a "Save the Garment Center" demonstration. Cunningham considered this a lost cause saying, "It's too late." I do hope he's wrong about that.
There are several things I will take away with me from this movie, and several things that have put me in deep thought since I saw it. But it was the proclamation that brought Cunningham himself to tears when he uttered it that sums things up the best: "It's as true today as it ever was: he who seeks beauty will find it."
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