Be Extraordinary, Be Bill

It was an October morning and I remember it vividly because it was the first time I watched the Bill Cunningham documentary. Every now and then you come across an extraordinary person that manages to spark the creativity right back into you; and that's exactly what he did.

Eighty-three years young, Cunningham is a photographer extraordinare who is renowned for his 'On the Street' column (now a video thanks to technology) for The New York Times. I could launch into a wikipedia styled rant about the statistics of just how long Cunningham has been doing what he does best, but the truth is what stands out most from the documentary is the sheer determination that this man still has.

Since the fifties, good ole Bill has had a remarkable talent for capturing the fashion trends that are occurring in the streets. From polka dots to neon, through to kitten heels and trench coats, Cunningham is an instinctual walking fashion encyclopedia. What's more, through his street style spreads in print and voice overs online, Cunningham is able to contextualise not only trends, but the mood of the moment, reiterating the impact that our social and political surroundings have on fashion and how we interpret it.

Just when the industry appears overwhelming and more about the limelight, in come icons like Bill Cunningham stating once again, that if you want you can love fashion until your heart is content. Check out his most recent Christmas special here.