In recent years, film has fallen in love with fashion. An industry packed full of eccentric characters just waiting to be shot to stardom, fashion is a goldmine of entertainment. Moviegoers flocked to see the September Issue and Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel is just one of a few films in the cinema pipeline.

This weekend though, UK fashion lovers can finally catch the joyous Bill Cunningham New York, one year after its release in the US. A street-style veteran and innovator, Cunningham was at the forefront of photographing real people in their clothes donkey’s years before the blogosphere erupted.

With his crumpled slacks, cheap waterproof, bicycle and film SLR, the octogenarian has dedicated more than three decades to filling the pages of the New York Times with street style.

Famously eleusive, it took eight years to make him agree to the documentary, but it was worth the wait. Bill Cunningham New York introduces the man behind the lens, along with a few fashion legends such as Anna Wintour and Michael Kors. More interesting though are the quirky characters that make up Cunningham’s life with in the artist’s apartments of Carnegie Hall.

To look at Cunningham’s work is to explore the fashion jungle that is New York. As he says, “The best fashion show is on the street. It always has been and always will be.”

Bill Cunningham New York is in UK cinemas from today

billcunninghamnewyork.co.uk

Tags: Bill Cunningham, Bill Cunningham New York

Madelyn Somers hand-makes super dapper bow ties for women. The 23-year-old LA based designers mission is to inspire women to be empowered individuals and part of the proceeds go to Women for Women International. Tycoon Neckwear uses recycled men’s ties with a feminine flareand her designs have so far caught the eye of Janelle Monae and Ellen Degeneres.

Twin spoke to the LA born and bred designer about her style…

What’s your fashion background?
Fashion is and has always been something I’ve taken an interest in, but never thought of it as a career. My mom has a degree in fashion design, so she taught me how to sew and I took a few sewing classes in college.

I love thrift shopping at flea markets, the goodwill or my favorite, the Jewish thrift council store which are all around Los Angeles for great designer finds, but I’m not the one who keeps up with fashion blogs and collects fashion magazines to keep up with the trends for the seasons. I dress in what I like which is usually in the realm of quirky menswear chic with some funky pattern or pop of color.

Where did the idea come from for Tycoon Neckwear and what’s it all about?
It came out of a little boredom and what to do after college, but I was thrift shopping one day and found a basket of men’s ties that brought on an immense curiosity to reclaim them in to something cool for women. Since classic menswear always inspired me, I wanted to figure out how to incorporate menswear into women’s fashion without feeling like I was borrowing from my dad’s closet.

I bought a few ties and the next day I started sewing them. I found a box of vintage buttons my mom had stored in her studio and incorporated them. It seemed to all come about pretty organically. I came up with a whole ad campaign. I loved building the brand from the ground up, it was inspiring to not only have a product, but create a product that came with a pretty effortless statement that I felt strongly about.

Tycoon is a neckwear line that inspires women to be empowered individuals. Tycoon uses recycled men’s ties with a feminine flare to create a force of confidence, individuality, and style. I loved the idea that Tycoon is sustainable because salvaging something old and turning it into something new is a part of an eco-friendly movement that

I’ve always been passionate about which also contributes to the fact that they are all one of a kind creations.

What does style mean to you?
Style to me is really is about individuality and making a statement about who you are and what you want to say to the world without being vocal. It’s our first impression when you walk out the door and who doesn’t want to give off an impression by making a declaration to the public that “I am a confident individual and this is how i chose to express myself, no one can tell me otherwise.”

I loved what street fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham said, “Fashion is 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.” It’s a chance to be uniquely you and it gives us the joy of being able to reinvent ourselves a little bit each day. There are no confines necessary to the immense possibility of what is style and lady bow ties are just one of those possibilities.

tycoonneckwear.com

Tags: Bill Cunningham, Ellen Degeneres, Janelle Monae, LA, Madelyn Somers, Tycoon, Tycoon Neckwear, Women for Women International