The fashion industry remembers Bill Cunningham

London – This weekend was marked by the passing of Bill Cunningham,
celebrated and legendary street and fashion photographer for the New York
Times. He passed away Saturday night, aged 87, after being hospitalised two
weeks ago following a stroke, reported the Times.

“It’s not work, it’s pleasure. That’s why I feel so guilty.
Everybody else does work — I have too much fun. ”

With a career spanning more than 50 years, Cunningham is best remembered
for the great passion and love he held for his work. Often seen outside of
fashion shows and combing the streets of New York for new subjects on his
bicycle, Cunningham has been credited for paving the way for street,
fashion photography. Rather than focusing on the who was wearing the
outfit, Cunningham photographed the clothing itself, celebrating the
individual sense of style. “I’m not interested in celebrities with their
free dresses,” he said. “Look at the clothes, the cut, the silhouette, the
colour. It’s the clothes. Not the celebrity and not the spectacle.”

“We all
dress for Bill,” Anna Wintour once said. The legendary @nytimes
photographer was truly a national treasure, 1929–2016. Photographed by
@arthurelgort, Vogue, July 1992.

A photo
posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on Jun 25, 2016 at 2:32pm
PDT

His love of great fashion was one of the main drivers of his work, although
he famously refused to see his photography as “work.” “It’s not work, it’s
pleasure,” he said on his life’s work in 2008 to WWD, during a reception
held in his honour. “That’s why I feel so guilty. Everybody else does work
— I have too much fun.” Never one to stand in the limelight himself, over
the years he gained followers across the industry and outside of the world
of fashion, raising to new heights of fame with the launch of the 2010
documentary “Bill Cunningham New York.” His sudden and unexpected passing
left a deep impact on an industry already shaken by recent events such as
the Brexit. However, in true Cunningham style, many key industry figures
took a moment to remember and celebrate his life’s work.

Suzy Menkes, International Editor for Vogue

“Dear Bill Cunningham. You were the most vibrant, vigilant and honest
photographer of style ‘on the street’ and for ‘evening hours’ for the New
York Times,” wrote Suzy Menkes on Instagram, International Editor for
Vogue, in one of three Instagram posts remembering Cunningham. “I remember
you receiving the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris – chuckling with
pleasure, while announcing that you didn’t want ‘all that fuss’.”

Bill
Cunningham, the greatest street photographer fashion has ever had, has laid
down his camera for ever. He has died in New York at age 87. His bicycle is
stilled. He won’t be coming up to me any more saying ‘Hello
child’ in his gravelly voice. I shall miss him so. As will the fashion
world which has lost an honest and true reporter worthy of the New York
Times where his work was cherished. May he rest in peace – but his
incomparable record of changing styles last for ever.

A photo posted by Suzy Menkes (@suzymenkesvogue) on
Jun 25, 2016 at
2:40pm PDT

Stella McCartney, designer

“Bill you were always there with a smile and such class. A truly great man
and artist capturing all the moments,” wrote British designer and
sustainable advocate Stella McCartney on Instagram. “I will miss you.”

Bill you were
always there with a smile and such class. A truly great man and artist
capturing all the moments… I will miss you x Stella

A photo posted by Stella McCartney (@stellamccartney)
on Jun 26, 2016 at
5:07am PDT

Karlie Kloss, model

Rest in peace #BillCunninghampic.twitter.com/cfp5ouvUZN

—
Karlie Kloss (@karliekloss) June 26,
2016

Didier Grumbach,former president of the Fédération Française de la
Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode

“He was very popular, just as much in Paris as in New York. He was very
modest. He didn’t always have the best seat [at fashion shows], but was
always in a great mood,” said Didier Grumbach, the former president of the
Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des
Créateurs de Mode to WWD. “He loved fashion in an incredible way until the
end. He jumped for joy after a show he liked…he did a lot for Paris. He
attended the first Christian Dior show in 1947; he saw the beginning of
Yves Saint Laurent, the beginning of ready-to-wear. He was a witness like
almost no other.”

Iris Apfel, designer

“Words cannot express the sorrow,” wrote Iris Apfel, fashion and interior
designer on one of two Instagram posts.

#billcunningham

A photo
posted by Iris Apfel (@iris.apfel) on Jun 26, 2016 at 1:30am
PDT

Nina Garcia, creative director Marie Claire

Last pic I took of Bill, March 21 2016. Rest in Peace child…
We will miss seeing bea…
https://t.co/xQEwFtQjw1
pic.twitter.com/OyqQKLWNxx

— Nina Garcia (@ninagarcia) June 26,
2016

Naomi Campbell, model

“Dear Bill Cunningham got to know you since 1986, you always had the
biggest smile that would light up a city, always called me kid when I was
way beyond one,” wrote supermodel Naomi Campbell in a tribute posted on
Instagram. ”

Dear Bill
Cunningham got to know you since #1986 , you always had the biggest smile
that would light up a city, always called me kid when I was way beyond one.
And So elegant you always was. So sad to lose you such a great man with a
beautiful soul. Going to the Metball and any other big fashion red carpets
will not be the same without you. I love you always , condolences to your
family #RIP

A photo posted by Naomi
Campbell (@iamnaomicampbell) on Jun
25, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT

Sarah Andelman, creative director Colette

“He was wonderful, always smiling, curious about everything, passionate and
so humble!” said Sarah Andelman, creative director and purchasing manager
of Colette, to WWD. “I asked him to do an exhibition. He would always
politely answer yes, but clearly he didn’t want to be in the spotlight.”

Carolina Herrera, designer

“Bill Cunningham we will miss your inimitable eye,” wrote Carolina Herrera
in one Instagram post.

#BillCunningham we will miss your inimitable eye.

A photo posted by Carolina Herrera (@houseofherrera)
on Jun 26, 2016 at
5:09am PDT

Carine Roitfeld, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris,

“He had such an eye,” said Carine Roitfeld to WWD. “He paved the way for
other photographers. We all dreamt to be featured on his page in The New
York Times. It was the page to be on…He’ll be greatly missed.”

Another legend
left! Bill Cunningham , always a smile, night and day, you inspired all of
us!!!!you called me “my child” goodbye mister Cunningham

A photo posted by Carine Roitfeld (@carineroitfeld) on
Jun 26, 2016 at
1:09am PDT

Jeremy Scott, designer and creative director at Moschino

“This is the first photo Bill Cunningham took of me,” wrote designer Jeremy
Scott in a tribute posted on Instagram. “I was 18 years old and was offered
a ticket to the CFDA Awards from school. I was all dolled up in my fancy
dudz with a vintage top hat and scarf. I felt so cool and that was
validated 100 percent when Bill snapped my photo. The next day when I was
back at school working at the job placement center on campus the phone
rang. I answered it and it was none other than Bill Cunningham!! He said I
took some picture last night at the CFDA of some students from Pratt and
need help to find their names – I enthusiastically replied you photographed
me!! I was wearing the top hat and scarf with the slit leg tuxedo pants
that’s was me! That was meee!! Oh good Bill exclaimed and told me I look
fantastic and described the looks of my friends so I could give him their
names too. (This was pre internet remember!) He thanked me and generously
sent me a print of the photo! His validation of my personal style gave me
so much fuel to believe that I was on the right path at the very tender
age. As one of the people who inspired me to want to go into fashion this
meant the world to me, he meant the world to me. #ripbillcunningham”

A photo posted by Jeremy Scott (@itsjeremyscott) on
Jun 25, 2016 at
10:48pm PDT

Gigi Hadid, model

“A fashion icon,” recalls model Gigi Hadid in a Tweet.

pic.twitter.com/3Lhegdo3I6

—
Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) June 25,
2016

Zac Posen, designer

William
#billcunningham #legend #oneofakind #restinpeace

A photo posted by @zacposen on Jun 26, 2016 at 4:32am
PDT

Joan Small, model

#RIP
#Billcunningham The most gentle man and incredible talent.

A photo posted by Joan Smalls (@joansmalls) on Jun 25, 2016 at 10:54pm
PDT

Photo: By Georg Petschnigg from Seattle, US, Wikimedia