Everybodys a nightlife photographer now.
Dustin always used to say to us, you have to see my archives.
I have everything, Roger says.
Debbie Harry attends a party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on December 3, 1979.
And indeed Pittman does.
Dustin was there at all these parties, but in a different way than the paparazzi, explains Mauricio.
Liza Minelli celebrates her birthday at a Studio 54 party hosted by Halston, 1979.
Liza Minelli celebrates her birthday at a Studio 54 party hosted by Halston, 1979.
David Bowie at Studio 54, 1980.
Grace Jones at Studio 54, 1979.
The Padilhas liken Pittman to a Zelig figure or a Forrest Gump.
David Bowie at Studio 54, 1980.
Woodstock, the Monterey Pop Festivalhe was there.
Warhols Factoryhe was there too.
He ran across Central Park to the Dakota in his tuxedo to get that shot, as well.
Grace Jones at Studio 54, 1979.
He sees everything as equal.
But if it was grittier then, there was no shortage of joy.
Madonna at Danceteria, New York City, circa 1979.
Madonna at Danceteria, New York City, circa 1979.
Pat Cleveland attends a carnival-themed party at Regines in New York City on March 3, 1980.
My older brother lived in the West Village at MacDougal and Bleecker.
So that was really great.
Pat Cleveland attends a carnival-themed party at Regine’s in New York City on March 3, 1980.
On meeting Andy Warhol…
I used to hang around in 68 or 69 at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.
I love that place, its very spiritual, it has a vibe thats forever.
Journalist Javier Arroyuelo, Carol Miles, socialite Nan Kempner, and Karl Lagerfeld at Karl Lagerfeld’s Versailles party at Studio 54, NYC, 1979.
At that time, Central Park was a great place because there were no boundaries.
It wasnt what you wore, it was how you wore it.
You know, there wasnt a lot of Balenciaga labels and that stuff, right, right?
Bill Blass, Diana Vreeland, and Oscar de la Renta attend an event celebrating the opening of a costume exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, December 6, 1982.
I ran into Ingrid Superstar, one of the Andy Warhol superstars, literally bumped into each other.
And she said, I want you to meet somebody.
So she dragged me by the hand down to 32 Union Square, and I met Andy Warhol.
Sayoko Yamaguchi modeling for Giorgio di Sant’Angelo in New York City, 1980.
Andy was still doing little movies.
you know, cinema verite, underground movies.
I just rolled with it, and that was the magic of my photography.
Unknown subject, New York City, circa 1978.
I was never a paparazzi.
I did the Andy Warhol superstars, I did the first womens rights march, I did gay liberation.
All that stuff, because I was a participant.
Jerry Hall and Linda Spierings at the Oscar de la Renta, fall 1981 ready-to-wear show.
It was important to me to be a part of it, because I believed in it.
On the way the runways used to be…
How it was different then?
First of all, most of the models would do their own hair and makeup.
Diane von Furstenberg celebrating the opening of a costume exhibit, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on December 6, 1982.
And they used to change in the sewing room.
On his favorite designers…
Azzedine Alaia.
I was in his atelier, which was also his house.
Carolina Herrera, Jacqueline de Ribes, and Reinaldo Herrera Guevera attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute “Fashion of the Hapsburg Era: Austria and Hungary” exhibition and gala on December 3, 1979.
I couldnt get off the move boards because there was everything there, not only pictures.
I said, Francis.
I said whats with the chip?
Backstage at the fall 1981 Calvin Klein show.
And shed say Calvins going to do a whole line with this colored chip.
It was all new.
And thats what I always gravitated to.
I always gravitated to the new, and that was my thing, all my life.
Before WWD, I was doing a lot of fashion.
I loved shooting it, and my studio in the 70s was Times Square.
On the one that got away…
Theres so many people I wish I photographed.
Joan Didion, Susan Sontag.
So many people got away.
And he wanted to bring me to a special place and bring my camera.
And I said, I got something to do.
But you know where it was?
It was at the Garden to photograph Muhammad Ali wrapping before a match.
What a picture that wouldve been.
He fought Muhammad Ali and lost, but they were friends.
So, Ive got some regrets.
On the power of fashion…
I know this sounds sacrilegious, maybe, but this is my quote from those days.
Halstons studio at the Olympic Towers was as grand as he was.
From his office, you could see the spires of St. Patricks cathedral.
Sayoko Yamaguchi modeling for Giorgio di SantAngelo in New York City, 1980.
Unknown subject, New York City, circa 1978.
Jerry Hall and Linda Spierings at the Oscar de la Renta, fall 1981 ready-to-wear show.
Backstage at the fall 1981 Calvin Klein show.
