Iris Apfel is a name not many people know. Born Iris Barrel on August 29th, 1921, in Queens, New York, she was a businesswoman, fashion designer, model, and interior designer. Her father’s family owned a glass and mirror business, and her mother owned a fashion boutique. Raised on a farm and as an only child, she quite often took the subway to spend the day exploring Manhattan, where she spent her time shopping in antique stores at Greenwich Village. She fell in love with the eccentric jewelry, beginning her collection while still a child. When the Great Depression hit, her entire family was able to drape, sew, glue, and paint, and they all had a flair and style that could fit even the tiniest shoestring budget.
“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.”
Iris Apfel
She was known for her flamboyant style, eccentricity in the best ways possible, and her outspoken personality. I fell in love with Ms. Apfel when I first saw a video as I was scrolling on Instagram, of a little old lady, draped in the most colorful fabrics I’ve ever seen, with bracelets and necklaces that could ground the lightest of birds. I could’ve sworn I saw a crown on her head in that video. I became obsessed. She is one of my idols. From her style to her attitude, she is everything I want to be when I grow old. And yes, this blog will be filled with quotes from her.
“When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.”
Iris Apfel
She lived to be 102, passing away two days after the first half of 102 years. While she was alive, she collected accomplishments like jewelry. As a young woman, she worked for Women’s Wear Daily as a copywriter. She worked for interior designer Elinor Johnson, flipping apartments, and creating a talent and eye for sourcing rare items. She married Carl Apfel in 1948 and two years later, the pair started the textile firm Old World Weavers, which ran until 1992, when they both retired. They specialised in reproducing fabrics from the 17th to the 19 centuries and frequently traveled to Europe in search of fabrics that were unavailable in the States. During the tenure of Old World Weavers, Apfel took part in numerous design and restoration projects, including a contract at the White House that lasted for nine presidents! She found that the Oval Office was her easiest client, seeing as they only wished to restore what was already there.
“If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.”
Iris Apfel
In 2011, Apfel was a visiting professor at the University of Texas in Austin’s Textiles and Apparel division. She was the face of an australian brand called Blue Illusion. In 2019, while she was 97, she signed a modelling contract with global agency IMG. She mixed both high and low fashions, desginer bloses paired with trousers bought at secondhand stores. In 2005, the MET Costume Institute showed an exhibition title Rara Avis [Rare Bird]: The Irreverent Iris Apfel. This exhibit displayed many designs from Apfel, most of which I couldn’t view online. sadly.
we love a fashion icon. she sounds like a truly iconic person and i’d love to watch a full documentary about this woman.
there actually is a documentary about her! It’s called Iris and I think it’s free on tubi.