“I never go out with a preconceived idea. I let the street speak to me.” —Bill Cunningham
We lost one of the greats yesterday and people in and out of the fashion and publishing world are still reeling from the sad news. It seemed that photographer and New York City icon, Bill Cunningham would ALWAYS be around the next corner shooting whatever the street was telling him to. He was like a yellow taxi cab or the Met, you can’t imagine the city without him. Some of his friends and admirers, including this one, remember him here. They really don’t make them like this anymore. I can just hear him saying, “Aww kid, don’t be sad, I had a good run!”
“His company was sought after by the fashion world’s rich and powerful, yet he remained one of the kindest, most gentle and humble people I have ever met. We have lost a legend, and I am personally heartbroken to have lost a friend.” –Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., New York Times’s publisher
“Bill Cunningham, you did us proud, and you set a standard for all Times journalists. About what it means to be independent, to be honorable, to be kind, and to be curious.” –Jason Bernstein, NY Times writer
“I loved seeing Bill Cunningham when I went out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who spent a New York lifetime hoping he just might point the camera my way. I have witnessed countless wanna-be’s trying to sidle into his sights by parading past him repeatedly, but he knew what he wanted, and if you weren’t it, that was that. I told myself that the fact he never photographed me wasn’t because I have no style whatsoever but because I am married to one of the Times art critics, although he did love my wife. Of course, I tried to say hello to him at inappropriate times, just when he was poised on the periphery of an event, waiting for just the right moment.” –Jerry Saltz, New York magazine
“We lost another great legend. Bill, you will be missed.” –Arthur Elgort, photographer
“Bill Cunningham got me my first job as a style editor of the SoHo Weekly News in 1979. He’s why I do what I do. He was still there for me when we launched our very first issue of Paper Magazine in 1984. (Here he is with our first issue) And has always been there for us rooting us on ever since. He was the seminal independant. Never did he sell out. And he always respected us for remaining indie. I have so much more to say about this amazing man… RIP dear man. You are an angel. We will all miss you so. So many of us weep.” –Kim Haetreiter, Paper magazine co-founder & editor
“Many years ago when Paper had recently been launched I saw Bill on West Broadway, his camera at the ready as always. It was around the time that Details was being sold and money was in the air. ‘Don’t ever sell,” he cautioned. Creative freedom is the most precious thing he let it be known, his eyes darting about in search of the beautiful. And just as I was about to say something in response, he took off, chasing after a woman, clicking away, her black seam stockings obviously more important than anything I had to say.” –David Hershkovits, Paper magazine co-founder & editor
“We all dress for Bill.” –Anna Wintour, CNP Editorial Director
“So sad to no longer have Bill Cunningham in our lives. RIP dear Bill.” –Fern Mallis, creator of NY Fashion Week
“A true gentleman and wonderful artist. You will be missed. –Anne Hathaway, actress
“There was never a day, rain or shine, a mountain of snow, remarkable heat, or a breezy spring day, that he would not be on a bicycle riding around town…. when I was a fashion editor, my seat would often be beside him. I once begged him to be on my panel when I chaired a ‘Fashion Group’ symposium. When he lost his place at the podium, he began to shake, so I held his hand to calm him down, it passed, and he was just ‘marvelous’ –one of his favorite words.” –Tina Perlmutter, editor, photographer
“The worst slap of all: Bill raising his camera at you, considering the shot, then lowering it without having taken a picture.” –Lucy Sisman, art director
“If you lived in New York City and were on the scene for any length of time, being photographed by Bill was a right of passage. He will not be soon forgotten. The only good thing about this news is that he did what he loved, rode around the city on his bike right until the end. No long illness, or not being able to get out and shoot his city. I’ll just imagine him on his bike somewhere, using that incredible eye on another (very chic) plane.” –Trey Speegle, artist
“I keep thinking of the welcome he’ll receive in heaven (if that’s how things work and I like to think it is) from the ladies of Chez Ninon to Antonio Lopez to Mrs Onassis, Mrs Astor, his favorites Edna Morris and more…” –Billy Norwich, writer
“A devastating loss to the fashion world! There will never be another one like Bill.” –Mickey Boardman, Editorial Director, Paper magazine
“Sometimes when someone dies, more than a life ends. This is one of those times. I am heartbroken for Bill and his friends and family. And for New York. And good taste and gentlemanly elan and style. And keen eyes. And sweetness. Every time I get on my bike I’ll think of him. Or when I see someone on the street who deserves to be observed and appreciated. I’ll miss his smile.
Bill taking a photo of an angel at New York’s Gay Pride parade in 2014. I’ve been thinking of this image tonight. I’ll be thinking of it tomorrow. I hope Bill is still finding some hunky angels to shoot.” –Kevin Sessums, writer
