Bill Cunningham - New York fashion photographer

Released yesterday for showing in UK cinemas from today is a documentary about an intriguing character. Bill Cunningham is a photographer who has been recording New York fashion for fifty years, travelling around the city on his ancient but trusty Schwinn bicycle. No convert to modern digital techniques, Bill still relies on his film Nikon.

In response to Bill's natural reticence, the film was made without a crew, using a hand-held camera. His shyness and reluctance to reveal himself seems a refreshing breeze through a world so often seen by outsiders as self-absorbed and superficial. In many ways (and this will seem strange) he reminds me of my mother who was mad on fashion and clothes, but never managed to dress well herself, so with Bill Cunningham.

See here for details of UK screenings over the next few weeks.