Bill Cunningham is the main reason why I was inspired to have a fling with professional photography. When I watched his documentary at The 2010 NZ Film Festival, I was awed by his humbleness and steely determination to document beautiful outfits over the many decades he has been working. So when I heard that his film was being shown by Silo Cinema, I was keen as a bean to catch a second viewing.
Even though Bill does not idolise celebrities or luxury designers, he truly understands the fashion industry better than the majority of those that work in it. He says, “The wider world perceives fashion as frivolity that should be done away with. The point is that fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life. I don't think you can do away with it. It would be like doing away with civilization.” Amen, brother.
The indomitable Anna Wintour had nothing but nice things to say about him. “We all get dressed for Bill,” she quips in the tag line. He is also the only photographer she will stop and acknowledge. And for good reason too, he has been snapping Mrs. Wintour for most of her life. I wouldn’t be too surprised if her influence is the reason why he gets front row seats at Paris Fashion Week.
Of course, the film doesn’t focus entirely on Bill. There’s also the colourful and important characters that inhabit New York that Bill has met and made acquaintance with. My favourite? Iris Apfel, hands down. She wears more jewellery in a day than I could ever acquire in a lifetime. Of course she now has her own jewellery line and other lucrative deals thanks to the exposure. Not bad for a lady in her 90’s!
And when the credits came up, everyone applauded. How could you not give a big hand to such a marvellous legend?
An informative yet humorous video on how the layout of stores persuade you to part with your hard-earned cash…
Because they have to wear ridiculous shoes like these. This poor girl looks like a new-born foal!
I must admit I was a accidental TragiSLIM user in my teens…does anyone else become a heartbreak dieter or do you go the opposite way and become a heartbroken binge eater?
So every blogger and their dog has been going on about a hand model blasting full crazy in an interview. I watched, saw her do weird poses with her hands and face. I figured she was a little eccentric due to her unorthodox career and left it at that. Then I saw the Funny or Die video and saw the insanity cranked up to 11…and I laughed. my. ass. off.
Creepy doesn’t even begin to cover it…
I hate ugg boots so I find this hilarious. Please stop wearing them people!
Do you have a fat baby? How about squeezing your new-born into spanx? And if you think people wouldn’t stoop that low to make their child look thin, you haven’t read this article.
If I was half-asleep I could easily mistake this fake morning show segment for the real thing…
A great little rant about hairdressing and hairdressers. I know exactly how he feels!
“I ain’t going to church no more. Church can suck it. I think the stars hold the secrets.”
I know when a piece of film is great, no matter how short it is. Some might say it embodies every negative stereotype possible for African-American women while selling clothes, but when someone can quote my inner thoughts like scripture I know it’s something special. I know what it’s like to be trapped in a small town and you go crazy trying to channel your creativity and energy into something positive. So forget about who the characters are and listen to the message…
