“It’s nice to see that everyone is dressed like Iris tonight,” said Fern Mallis, the fashion industry in favor. She was with Christie’s to introduce the auction of the estate of Iris Apfel, the interior designer, an icon in the later in the internet age.
Mrs Apfel died last March at the age of 102. She and her husband, Carl Apfel, were together for 68 years. They founded old world weavers, who sold textiles that appeared in the interiors of the White House from President Truman’s time to President Clinton. Mrs Apfel also worked as an interior designer for customers with Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder.
“She grew up on a farm in Queens and had to take a ferry to go to the city,” said Mrs. Mallis. “A brooch of 65 cents was her first treasure accessory. And even at 100 she radiated the energy and the confidence of someone who half her age. ‘
Mrs Apfel was so famous for her eclectic personal style, which Combined Flea Market finds with Haute Couture, that the Metropolitan Museum of Art organized an exhibition of its wardrobe in 2005. In 2007, a Book-Table Book, “rare fashion bird,” rare bird: the irreverent Iris Apfel, “followed. When ‘Iris’, a documentary directed by Albert Mayles, came out in 2014, her place was solidified in fashion history.
Her fans were often young. “I first came about her from the documentary,” said Jalil Johnson, a 25-year-old fashion consultant who attended the party. “I had a bond with her. It was not about her age and more about the feeling and her wonderful position about getting dressed. “
Mrs Apfel left a large collection behind, spread between houses in Manhattan and Palm Beach, FLA. The designer clothing, home objects and many of her characteristic accessories: gigantic bracelets, thick chains and, as Mrs. Mallis said, “the biggest glasses ever made.”
The sale, which is open to online bidding until 13 February, will “benefit charitable causes that are near,”, Grace Smoker, a spokeswoman for the Iris Apfel Estate, wrote in an e -mail.
The auction is around 200 lots, which Perrin, the deputy chair at Christie’s, said he was on the smaller side for the auction house. Nevertheless, it was a sale that she followed. “I contacted her advisers and said,” You have to give me a chance. “
She described Mrs Apfel’s style as ‘unique, spicy and lively’.
“Her apartment in New York felt a bit like a time capsule with a clear turquoise cuisine,” said Mrs. Perrin. “There would be a fantastic piece of traditional furniture in addition to a range of animal statues. She was a bon Vivant. ‘
The sale includes one Polychrome painted dog bed With a Grapevine Trellis; A Dior Couture Coat with feathers in shades of black, green, brown and purple; And a life -sized ostrich that doubled like a bar, lovingly named Gussy. Some lots, such as a selection of multicolored bracelets, had a low estimate of $ 200 to $ 300, but in a week, had more than 20 bids.
Some those present had taken their portraits by the photographer Hunter Abrams in a sitting area decorated in the style of Mrs Apfel’s houses. Others tried Uile glasses. Devon Fredericks, who works in the food world, scrolled on her phone to see what the estimate was for a lot 40 Chinese ceramic fruits.
Marilyn Kirschner, a former bazaar -fashion -editor of Harper, appeared with a long red satin skirt covered with sequins and printed with an image of Mrs. Apfel. Alice + Olivia made the skirts and Mrs. Kirschner bought Hare at Bergdorf Goodman. ((One is for saleSize medium, with an estimate of $ 600 to $ 800; It already has a dozen bids.)
“I think Iris and I have shared the wish not to look like everyone else,” said Mrs. Kirschner. “I was the first person to interview her for the with exhibition in 2005. I went to the show and contacted her. So I like to have her face on my skirt. And there is another woman who wears the same skirt. ‘
The woman to which she referred was Tinu Naija, a Nigerian fashion editor who wore the skirt together with jewelry from a collection that Mrs Apfel did with H&M.
“We met in Henri Bendel,” said Mrs. Naija about Mrs. Apfel. “I said,” I love what you are wearing, “and she said,” I also love what you wear. “” Mrs Naija and Mrs. Kirschner posed together for a photo.
Mrs. Mallis asked the crowd to consider Mrs Apfel’s inheritance. “This is a reflection of a woman who has lived a life full of daring choices,” she said in her introductory comments at the party. “High a glass for a toast and in real Iris style we hope you go shopping.”
