Inspired to Document

I recently viewed the documentary on The New York Times photographer and On the Street columnist, Bill Cunningham. Bill talked about how he wasn't really a great photographer, but merely an observer of fashion who liked to document his observations with a camera. My friend JoAnn, an instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, invited me to the film along with a group of her students. She wanted me to join them for the movie and then grab a bite to eat afterwards to discuss the documentary along with other hot topics on the students' minds. JoAnn and I have had conversations in the past around the students' reluctance to start blogs to share their personal design perspectives online. JoAnn was trying to explain to them that it's never too early to start building an audience even before their brands are developed and launched. I knew there was a chance I'd be asked a question on this subject and I was dreading the moment. How could I lecture them on the importance of brand awareness when here I was a brand developer and I too didn't have a blog? 


I think part of my reason for not having a blog, besides lack of time and the fear of my writing skills, was the concern I'd come across as being overly critical of someone else's work. It's a tough business and I know what it's like to have to raise the bar every time with less time and resources to create. What makes Bill Cunningham so special is he doesn't bring judgment into his observations of street fashion. He only documents things he finds interesting and leaves the judgment up to his readers. Though I do know I will be making judgments based on what I observe and document, I hope Brand Marbles will maintain a level of objectivity that would make Bill proud.