Bill Cunningham: New York Page #8

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it's the armor 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.

You know, l... That's what I think.

I mean, a lot of people think

"He's a crazy fanatic," you know.

[Laughing] At any rate,

that's what I think about it.

[Chattering]

[Interviewer] How is it different

shooting here than in New York?

Fashion week here is exceptional.

Why?

It educates the eye.

Paris?

That's right. That's really...

I come for the fashion,

but that's what happens.

Every six months

it's like going to school.

You have to go back

and reeducate the eye.

You couldn't take me

to a fine restaurant.

[Both Laugh]

So you don't care about food?

No.

Really?

Oh, no, no.

Do you listen to music?

I used to go to concerts here,

in the churches and the opera.

But that stopped years ago.

There's no time.

Yeah, sure.

[Indistinct]

Right.

I mean, if I'm lucky I get to

church on Sunday. [Laughs]

That's where I hear the music. Really?

You go to church to hear the music?

Do you go to church?

Yeah.

Every Sunday?

Yeah.

Really?

[Chuckles]

It's no big deal.

I go and repent.

[Both Laugh]

[Chattering]

[Man Shouting In French]

And you see all the paparazzi

going crazy? Oh, yeah.

Over Catherine Denueve.

[Bill] I can hear people say, "He's

gotta be the dumbest one in the crowd.

He didn't bother

photographing her. "

Well, she wasn't wearing

anything interesting.

I'm interested in clothes.

And even if I knew them, knew who

they were, and usually I don't,

I don't go to the movies much

and I've never owned television.

I'd never be a paparazzi.

I couldn't be.

To torment people and chase them...

Oh, that I couldn't do. I wouldn't do.

I think it has to be done

just discreetly and quietly.

"Invisible,"I think, is the word.

[Bill] This is the greatest subject

in all of Europe... Madame Piaggi.

C'est le video

The New York Times.

Yeah, I know.

The pumps. I don't like them

on me, but it's good on her.

[Interviewer]

When did he first photograph you?

Uh, in the '70s.

[Bill] I photographed her

outside Saint Laurent's couture show,

mixed in with all the other women that were

trying to be so chic with their pantsuits.

It was a revelation.

I mean, I never saw anyone like her.

I think she's a poet with clothes.

But a very fine poet.

Oh, my God, I wouldn't miss her.

To me, that's the

reason to go to Paris.

I mean, I just like fashion

as an art form of dressing the body.

If we all went out looking like a slob like

me, it would be a pretty dreary world.

No, see, I think Bill is very stylish.

He has a look. It's individual.

It's Bill... the blue smock.

The jacket is functional 'cause

it has all the pockets. Right.

And you can launder it.

And I thought the color was nice.

Originally, when I started to buy them

at the Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville,

they were $20.

And they were the ones

that the street sweepers wore.

They came in black

and white and blue.

And, you see, with the cameras,

the jackets all get torn here and ruined.

So that was another thing.

Why have an expensive,

beautiful jacket...

and wear it with all the cameras

rubbing on it and wreck it?

I mean,

I can't imagine such wastefulness.

Oh, don't mind me. These are my...

I have to take every morning

my heart pills.

Keep the heart going.

[Laughs]

This would be an upscale French

caf for me. Oh, really?

Not...

Not terribly upscale, but upscale.

I like very simple,

down-to-earth, basic things.

You know, I don't like anything fancy.

And of course, I suppose that's such

a contradiction. Well, exactly.

Here I love all these women

dressed up in all these...

[Laughs]

But I don't mind it. L...

What other people do

doesn't concern me.

It's just not my interest.

[Interviewer]

Tell me something about your family.

Oh, my family's

just working-class people.

Just marvelous, normal,

hardworking people.

And Catholic people.

I think I have, uh, half and half.

When I'm outgoing,

I guess I'm my dad.

And when I'm... uptight you'd call

it now, or whatever you call it,

uh, I'd be definitely my mother.

What does your family

think of what you do?

No one ever said anything about it,

but I think in years, in retrospect...

'cause I never thought about it...

they didn't think fashion

was a very manly pursuit,

or profession, for a man, you know.

So it was that kind of thing.

Right.

Whatever.

[Chuckles]

Do you feel honored to be getting

this award from the French?

Oh, it's very lovely of them.

It's exciting.

I don't know

why they're doing it, frankly.

Oh, come on, are you kidding?

'Cause you live long enough to hang around?

Are you kidding?

Congratulations.

Oh, Daphne! Oh, child!

It's you they should be honoring, not me.

[Laughs]

Merci.

It should be Jean Luc.

He's the one they should be honoring.

[Woman] No. Yes!

He doesn't want

to be honored.

He doesn't want

anything.

And I'm amazed

he accepted tonight.

He's not only Chevalier, but directly

Officer, which is exceptional.

Very deeply, I think

he doesn't believe he deserves it.

That's why he deserves it... even more.

[Chattering]

I just think it's so funny

that you're working at your own party.

My dear, it's not work.

It's pleasure.

You know, you're right, but still.

You think I'm gonna miss

a good picture?

Are you still living in Carnegie Hall?

Yeah.

In the same studio?

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay.

They're going to throw me

out eventually. Oh, God.

No, no, no.

Either that or I go out in a coffin.

Who knows? Who cares?

Bonsoir, madame.

[Audience Applauds]

[Speaking French]

[Whistles, Cheers,

Applause]

Congratulations.

[Speaking French]

[Speaking French]

When I photograph...

[French]

But that's what we're here for.

I'm not interested in the celebrities,

with their free dresses.

That's...

C'est pas important.

At least look at the clothes.

[French]

It's the clothes,

not the celebrity,

and not the spectacle.

It's as true today as it ever was.

He who seeks beauty...

[Voice Cracking]

Will find it.

[Applause]

[Woman] We cannot base New

York City's entire economy...

on Wall Street and real estate.

[Bill] It's a rally to save, or protect

, the garment industry from disappearing.

But I'm afraid it's too late.

Uh...

All the jobbers are gone.

They've all more or less moved out.

90-95%

of the clothes Americans wear...

are made outside of America.

Michael!

[Shutter Clicks]

[Woman] Mr. Cunningham, they

would like you up there.

How are you?

Great. Good.

You?

Good to see you.

Good.

[Laughs]

I'm hanging out

behind the scenes.

I think I'll take one of those pea coats.

Made in America?

Get ready for the best part

of the pea coat.

Cashmere and neoprene.

Oh, too rich for me.

[Both Laugh]

David Wolfson is one of the last..."jobbers"?

What do you call yourself, David?

Oh, contractor. Contractor.

Excuse me. I'll get it straight.

There were thousands of them 30 years ago,

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