Bill Cunningham: On the Street

 

Bill Cunningham: On the Street

by The New York Times
Non-Fiction - Fashion/Coffee Table Book

384 pages

SUMMARY:
Coffee table book on street-fashion in NYC over the course of 50 years as documented by Bill Cunningham, a man who also photographed the high-end fashion world.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK: 

This is the ultimate people-watching book! An amazing street-fashion book found through a recommendation from Nicole Caruso. It is a definitive fashion book for me. I got it from the library, but wish I owed a copy for our house.

Bill Cunningham was apparently a legionary figure on the New York fashion scene. He photographed many of the famous fashion house shows and knew everyone-who-is-anyone in the fashion world for over five decades. But he also did a really cool and interesting thing... he rode his bicycle around NYC and documented fashion as it was worn on the streets for 50 years until his death. After his death, his vast collection of street photos were edited into this amazing coffee table book which documents the evolution of trends and NYC street fashion for half a century. It is the ultimate people-watching book!

It is fascinating to see how fashion house influences (easily spotted by the knowing Cunningham) were translated into everyday wear and how trends evolved over time. Reading this book cover to cover, I feel like I received an education in the history of fashion.

Note for Parents: This is a secular fashion book and there are a few photos from Gay Pride marches on the streets of NYC. The accompanying commentary assumes a liberal worldview. It certainly doesn't linger there but FYI if you have young eyes around. The purpose of the book seems to be to just document the more memorable fashion moments that a person would see walking down the streets of NYC. Use your own discretion with this book.

Bill Cunningham seems like a fascinating person in his own right. I would love to learn more about him. The introduction about Bill included this limited but tantalizing background: He was beaten for trying on his sister's dresses as a child but remained a devout catholic and close to his parents all his life. He seems to have chosen austerity and abstinence as his personal path, but connected with the beauty of fashion on a profoundly deep level. In any event, he kept his private life extremely private and fashion insiders seemed to respect that and him. He saw himself as an unimportant observer and hated attention. Lots to unpack about his life and photographs, which he himself did not consider art.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Fashionistas. People who love people-watching!