London Streets: Street Fashion Fun aka Bill Cunningham
Bill Cunningham a New York Times photographer was known for his candid photographs that captured fashion trends based on what famous and ordinary people were wearing on the streets of New York City. In 1978 he published a group of impromptu pictures in the New York Times which then became his regular feature “On the Street.” This feature ran until shortly before his death in 2016.
Cunningham’s mantra was “fashion mirrors exactly our times.” While Cunningham’s photos captured the flamboyance of the streets of New York City via fashion, I have tried to capture the everyday street life of London via fashion.
It was common to see a group of school children on the streets of London all wearing their “yellow vests.” They continued to wear them in museums and wherever they went.
On The Street
Designer Oscar de la Renta said: "More than anyone else in the city, Cunningham 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." He made a career taking unexpected photographs of everyday people, socialites and fashion personalities, many of whom valued his company.”
Cunningham described his philosophy regarding fashion in the documentary film Bill Cunningham New York "fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life. I don't think you could do away with it. It would be like doing away with civilization. The best fashion show is “on the street.”
The Bill Cunningham documentary is very entertaining. Link: Bill Cunningham in New York
As a visual artist and curator, it is my philosophy the best contemporary art gallery in any city is “on the street.” One of the best way to appreciate the unique culture of a city is to explore and linger in its public spaces - streets, parks and plazas - and watch the street life.
I hope you will enjoy this exhibition of everyday street fashion photos from London. After selecting and reviewing the photos I was surprised at how many people have cell phones - a definite sign of the times.
Be More You!
Last Word
Cunningham said, “ I go out every day. When I get depressed at the office, I go out, and as soon as I’m on the street and see people, I feel better. But I never go out with a preconceived idea. I let the street speak to me.”
Great cities have great street life and one of the key elements of street life is the fashion show of its citizens. Like Cunningham I try not to have preconceived ideas, I love to enjoy the unexpected surprises of the city street.
London didn’t disappoint.
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