Her attire transcended mere clothing; they were living works of art. Each day, she stepped out adorned in a vibrant tableau of joy.
Where to begin? Iris Apfel’s 102 years were a masterclass in both dressing and living.
Yet, there’s no denying that we start with the clothes; they are impossible to overlook. They aren’t just outfits but living artworks. Imagine a coat adorned with gold-tipped duck feathers, complemented by a lei of turquoise pebbles around the neck. Or perhaps embroidered Indian silk tunics paired with fringed suede trousers. Fuchsia satin boots and a banana-yellow tulle cape add to the visual feast, while bangles stacked to the elbow and a vibrant slash of apricot jam lipstick complete the ensemble. Her delicate, bird-like knuckles are adorned with a clatter of sweet-toned cocktail rings.
Every day, Apfel stepped out of her house exuding pure joy through her attire. “Life is grey and dull,” she once remarked in her delightful New York accent during Albert Maysles’ 2014 documentary about her life. “You might as well have a little fun dressing up.”
Despite the riotous array of colors in her wardrobe and the jingle-jangle of oversized souk-bought gems as she walked, there was a purity to Iris Apfel. She possessed impeccable taste without a hint of snobbery. She credited her mother for instilling in her a passion for accessorizing, explaining that by simply changing accessories, one could transform a basic piece into countless outfits.
Apfel effortlessly combined Dior haute couture with flea-market jewelry, layered a vintage Balenciaga coat over a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, and juxtaposed 19th-century ecclesiastical vestments with pieces from Topshop. Her style knew no boundaries.
As a designer and consultant, Iris Apfel’s clientele ranged from H&M to the White House, where she found Mrs. Nixon to be “lovely.” She lent her expertise to Faye Dunaway and Tommy Hilfiger alike. Her love for beauty transcended boundaries; status symbols and price tags held little importance. For Apfel, joy was the ultimate goal.
In a 2010 interview with the Observer, she revealed that the first painting she ever purchased, believed to be by Velasquez, still adorns her hallway. However, she never bothered to authenticate it. Why? Because if it truly was a Velasquez, she might feel nervous leaving it hanging there, and what would be the point of that if she couldn’t enjoy it? Apfel’s approach to dressing mirrored her outlook on life – she was unparalleled because she didn’t think like anyone else. A genuine original through and through.
Despite her iconoclastic nature, Iris Apfel possessed an air of dignity and grandeur. She was a true connoisseur of aesthetics, widely respected as a textile expert. To break the rules of style with grace, one must first understand them thoroughly – a feat Apfel accomplished effortlessly. She defied every convention of how an older woman with snowy hair should dress, yet somehow maintained a timeless elegance.
Behind her eccentricity lay method and irreverent humor. In 2015, she quipped, “I think when you’re paying $15,000 for a dress, you’re entitled to a pair of sleeves.” Her wisdom was as apparent as her distinctive style. “What you’ve got to do is live in the present, which is what I have always done,” she remarked, offering soundbites that rivaled her most splendid looks.
Her 102 years exemplify the invigorating power of fashion. It’s fitting that her departure coincided with Paris Fashion Week, for as she once stated, “You only have one trip. You might as well enjoy it.”
The quoted statement reflects on Iris Apfel’s unique perspective on the world, symbolized by her iconic oversized spectacles. Through her artistic vision, she transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, effortlessly blending the unconventional with elegance.
Jewelry designer Alexis Bittar described Apfel as a beacon for many, emphasizing her message of empowerment for women as they age. By living life on her own terms, Apfel demonstrated that women don’t need to fade into the background with age; instead, they can continue to shine and excel in all aspects of life.