Bill Cunningham New York

The New York Times Style photographer Bill Cunningham is a living legend.  Seeing him on the street or at fashion shows will never cease to excite the fashion flock.  He once took my picture on Fifth Avenue and even though it never made it into the paper, it was still a thrilling moment.   He reminds me of Jeremiah Goodman in that he continues to pursue his lifelong passion at 80.  I'm sure it keeps him young.  It also seems fitting that the new documentary about him is entitled Bill Cunningham New York because he is New York.  The film is the first feature by director Richard Press and it has already won the audience award for best documentary award at the Melbourne International Film Festival. I'm not sure when Bill Cunningham New York will be in the theatres but I'll keep you posted.  Anna Wintour once said, "we all get dressed for Bill." I will definitely continue to dress for Bill in the hopes of catching his eye.  But if I don't, I will be just as excited to catch a glimpse of him.

Avedon: Photographs from The Richard Avedon Foundation

There are so many wonderful events coming up in Paris this fall including Avedon: Photographs from The Richard Avedon Foundation sale at Christie's November 20, 2010.  Over 60 Avedon iconic photographs as well as several unique and extremely rare items will be up for sale.  Proceeds from the sale will initiate The Richard Avedon Foundation’s endowment in support of its philanthropic mission. Usually, photography is a great place to start collecting art but I have a feeling from the estimates that these will be out of most our budgets.  Also, if you can't make it to Paris, I'm happy to report that the photographs will be on view at Christie's in New York October 1-7, 2010.  Elephants sold separately of course.  

Marilyn Monroe, actor, New York, May 6, 1957 (Estimate: $100,000-150,000)

Richard Avedon Self-Portrait, c. 1963 (Estimate: $8,000-12,000)

Top Image: Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d’Hiver, Paris, August 1955 (Estimate: $500,000-700,000)

Visite Privée by François Halard

Photographer François Halard recently had an exhibition which was compiled into an accompanying book entitled Visite Privée.   The collection of photographs of artists and their studios include Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel, Carlos Mollino, Ahn Duong, Richard Avedon, Paul Cezanne, Robert Rauschenberg, and others.  My favorite space is of course Mr. Hallard's own home in Arles, France.  There is a great story in Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People about how he wasn't intending to buy a home but fell in love with its "melancholy spell."  He spent years restoring the home and filled it with many pieces he already owned in storage including the Louis XVI lit a la polonaise canopy bed from the antiquaire Compoglio.  I've included photos from both books here but unfortunately Visite Privée seems to only be available in Europe.  A reason to hop on a plane to Paris if I ever saw one but if that's not possible, you can also check out the rest of the artists online.  À tout à l'heur‎e!

Photos by François Halard