Fashion’s Finest Dressed for Bill at The Times of Bill Cunningham Special Screening in New York

The invite to director Mark Bozek’s screening for The Times of Bill Cunningham, hosted by M•A•C, Nordstrom, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, read simply: “Dress for Bill.” Guests did not disappoint. Pat Cleveland spun for photographers in head-to-toe sequins, Susanne Bartsch arrived in a fully plumed look, and Jordan Roth brought out his pearls. It was a New York night fit for New York icons—Cunningham, of course, being the guest of honor. President and chief executive officer of the CFDA, Steven Kolb, couldn’t agree more. “I think it’s a perfect night to watch the film after we just finished New York Fashion Week. Bill was such a presence at the shows and someone that I always admired. I remember sitting behind him at a show in Europe once and he was so annoyed by all the celebrities on the runway, delaying the start of the show. He goes, ‘I just want to see the clothes!’”

The originator of street style photography, Cunningham first got his start at The New York Times after innocently snapping a photo of Greta Garbo. It was the starlet's coat, not her storied cinematic legacy, that attracted him. The clothes always being the motivator, Cunningham’s assured eye was just as anticipated on the pages of the Times as his blue and khaki uniform, zipping around the city on his bicycle. He would continue to report for the Times for almost 40 years, up till his death in 2016.

Sitting in the velvet seats at the Angelika Film Center & Café in Soho, guests were treated to an intimate interview filmed by Bozek in 1994. Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, the normally discreet Cunningham pulled back the curtain to reveal a story that had everyone in smiles and tears. “I certainly don’t want this to be a fashion movie. It’s so much more than that,” revealed Bozek. And when asked what it was like speaking to Cunningham so candidly, Bozek didn’t hide his enthusiasm. “It was incredible! I didn't realize how incredible until 25 years later when I went into my basement and got the tapes and played it. How incredible it was that he never spoke to anyone before.” (Incredible indeed as what was planned to be a quick 10 minute session with Cunningham turned into a 6-hour heart-to-heart.)

Dotted with quirky illustrations by artist Ruben Toledo and music beautifully composed by Ezinma, the film had a celebratory air. Bozek also spoke of the photographer’s timelessness: “He’s timeless because he never looked back. He never talked about past eras being better, he was always in the present. He was always looking to the future of discovery, of the next best thing.”

Roth, arm-in-arm with husband, Richie Jackson worked on decoding the magic behind the legend. “His ability to spot the authentic, to spot the unique, wherever and whoever it was.” And thoughts on what he’d think of street fashion today? “Oh gosh! I think he would love some of it and I think he would let some of it pass on by, which is probably what he was doing all through his career.”

Soon after the screening ended a panel discussion commenced with Global Creative Director of M•A•C Cosmetics, Drew Elliott, Director Bozek, and longtime friend of Cunningham, Toledo. Guests continued the conversation on Cunningham’s legacy well into the night at the cozy Bistrot Leo where it was made quite clear, we all still get dressed for Bill.

The Times of Bill Cunningham is out in select theaters.