"He who seeks beauty will find it."

So says premier street-style photographer Bill Cunningham in the documentary based on his storied 40-year career.

On Monday night at the Crosby Street Hotel, a select group of editors and fashion folk were treated to a special screening of "Bill Cunningham New York," thanks to co-hosts Calvin Klein and the CFDA. The film gets the inside scoop on the elusive sharpshooter, including following him while he rides his Schwinn bike around New York City snapping stylish folk on the street, at black-tie galas and in the depths of downtown. It also provides a never-before-seen look at his Carnegie Hall home (which he has since vacated). The place is filled with file cabinets with photo negatives -- yes, he still uses a point and shoot camera -- many of which have never seen the light of day.

The movie explains that Cunningham, who has been shooting for The New York Times since 1978, was originally a milliner who abandoned his business after being drafted. Upon his return, he worked for WWD, and Details magazine (the pre-Condé Nast version), for which he would shoot an entire 100-page issue, before landing at the Times.

"It took us 10 years to do this film," said producer Phillip Gefter, who worked hand-in-hand with his director-husband Richard Press to create the movie. "Eight to convince Bill and the other two to make it."

Though Cunningham skipped the event (and will never watch the film, according to Gefter), plenty of adoring fans were on hand. Among them were models Carolyn Murphy and Ginta Lapina (both in sleek Calvin Klein Collection shifts) and the brand's merry band of creative directors: Francisco Costa (women's), Kevin Carrigan (Ck) and Italo Zucchelli (men's).

There was a buzz in the air following the showing. Costa, who had just sat through his second viewing, was estatic. "Wasn't that amazing?" he effused. "He's really such an icon!"

Find out more about this moving tribute, including where it is showing, here.