Bill Cunningham: Iconic Fashion Photographer for The New York Times

Bill Cunningham, the iconic eighty-something-year-old photographer for The New York Times, spots and photographs the fashion trends every day on the streets of New York. I have been fascinated by this talented man for decades. You read about “Bill sightings” in blogs and see photographs of him taken by his fans on Instagram. I invite him to events many of my Public Relations clients host. I’m delighted when I open the Sunday New York Times and Bill Cunningham’s images appear boldly in the Style section.

Perhaps you have seen him riding his Schwinn bicycle throughout the streets of New York City or you have seen him quietly taking pictures at an event in NYC, the Hamptons, Boston or Newport.  You can’t miss his bright blue jacket that he wears everywhere.

“More than anyone else in the city, he has the whole visual history of the last 40 or 50 years of New York. It’s the total scope of fashion in the life of New York.” – Oscar de la Renta

New-York Historical Society, Central Park West at 77th Street, NYC.

The New-York Historical Society Museum & Library is presenting a photography exhibit Bill Cunningham: FACADES through June 15. They say, “In 1968 Bill embarked on an eight-year project to document the architectural riches and fashion history of NYC. He generated a photographic essay entitled Facades, which paired models– in particular his muse, fellow photographer Editta Sherman — in period costumes with historic settings”.

I attended the exhibit yesterday and I think everyone in New York City should run and see it. If you aren’t in New York City, or read this at a later date, I have included photographs of Bill’s show below….and at the end are a few images of Bill at an event I work on yearly. You can also rent the fascinating film Bill Cunningham New York on Netflix or on iTunes for $3.99. Watch the film trailer here. You’ll be glad you experienced his work — in any format you can.

I met this sweet French tourist at the Bill Cunningham Facades exhibit. I love her enthusiasm, and the hat of course! Amended in 2018: This sweet French tourist is Isabelle Ros who kindly wrote to me after seeing her photo on the internet, in association with this very blog post on Bill Cunningham. How fantastic! We went back and forth and a delightful conversation. “The photographer photographed.  And you were very very discreet because I have never notice that you were photographing me. But, indeed, I was absorbed by this photograph of Editta Sherman on the subway with a lot of taggs. Amazing. I love it and this photo which I am taking is exhibited in my dining room.”

Photograph of the Paris Theater (built in 1947) West 57th Street at Fifth Avenue by Bill Cunningham.

Photographs by Bill Cunningham.

New-York Historical Society ~ Bill Cunningham Facades.

Attended the Bill Cunningham exhibit with my friend Bonnie.

It’s such a pleasure to work with Bill Cunningham each year as he covers this particular event I work on, the Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Bill Cunningham outside of the VIP tent at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton NY.

Marty Bauman/Classic Communications, Press Chief ~ Hampton Classic Horse Show. I have been part of Marty’s Communications team at the horse show for many many years. Bill Cunningham interviewing him for the New York Times.

Bill Cunningham covers the Hampton Classic for the New York Times each year. Such great coverage for this wonderful horse show.

Back to Grand Central Terminal after the show.

All photos taken with my iPhone 5s.