Last week, the fashion industry lost one of it's true icons of fashion photography, Bill Cunningham. Cunningham is an inspiration to me and I'm sure, many others, who find themselves beginning a career in the fashion industry. His humble attitude and value for fashion as an art form, make him a charming role model for the attitude to take towards a career and life in all its aspects, for that matter.
Bill Cunningham began his career at The New York Times over 40 years ago, after previously being a miliner. He became best known for his column 'On The Street', through which he documented rapidly changing fashions by photographing the outfits of New Yorkers from all walks of life.
Always a fixture at fashion shows, galas and other industry events, Cunningham became a celebrity in his own right, made easily recognisable in a crowd by his signature bright blue French worker's jacket, unassuming khaki pants and of course his bicycle.
Cunningham was revolutionary in his casual approach to chronicling changing trends and players, making fashion more accessible and democratic along the way. In many ways, Cunningham paved the way for the heavily mediated fashion industry of today and is considered the original street-style photographer.
"We all get dressed for Bill"
- Anna Wintour
Today, I stumbled across some of Cunningham's rare earlier black-and-white street photography, here are some of my most favourite pieces to share with you, I love how candid but glamorous these images are...
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