I
That’s likely From Coco Chanel advice, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing,” would have annoyed the iconic Iris Apfel in all its maximalist glory. The geriatric starlet, as she called herself, was by no means a fan of subtle fashion. From her chunky jewelry to her layers of fur and feathers, and her signature quirky glasses, the fashion icon and interior designer brought her unique touch of excitement to the fashion world. On March 1, at the age of 102, Iris Apfel said goodbye, and we will never forget this woman who ridiculously defied all style protocols.
Before she became a coveted style star, home decor was her forte. It’s easy to say she wasn’t interested in the basics, letting her eclectic taste take precedence in her art. The louder the better was her mantra. Apfel once said: “More is more. And less is boring.” Nothing could be more true than this quote as the trendsetter glided through life with a confidence that left everyone in admiration. Her style wasn’t the easiest to understand, but the confidence with which she operated is a worthy study in a time like ours. ‘I’m not beautiful, and I’ll never be beautiful, but that doesn’t matter. I have something much better. I have style,” she said. Maybe, this passion for fashion can be linked to her mother dropping out of law school after becoming pregnant with Iris to start a fashion boutique.
A brief history of the life of Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel was born in New York City in 1921 to Jewish parents. Her childhood contributed significantly to her career. Influenced by the outdated Greenwich Village, where she constantly collected antiques, she started her jewelry line. After her marriage to Karel Apfel In 1952, Old World Weavers – a textile brand – was born. They decided not to have children because it would not complement their lifestyle.
Apfel started as an antiques collector and then moved into textile reproduction, with an elite client base that included the White House. Her decorations were unique and showed an artistic flair reminiscent of her.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Arts approached her to exhibit her wardrobe – something that had not been done before. She became the first person to present her pieces at the Met. The exhibition was given a name Rara Avis (rare bird): the irreverent Iris Apfel. Mannequins were dressed in eclectic combinations, emulating the fashion icon’s off-the-beaten-path sense of style.
The exhibition added even more fuel to her already blazing fire and kept her name on fashion’s tongue. Her ensembles continued to bring drama, the accessories piled up and the embellishments of her outfit became even more daring. Apfel’s resistance to fashion’s status quo became even stronger. In 2016 she was featured in a DS3 commercial. This marked her entry into the mainstream modeling world as a senior.
Her legacy lives on
And just like that, Apfel was the talk of the town, gracing the pages of fashion magazines and exhibitions for her bold and rebellious representations. The life of Iris Apfel was an inspiration to many. It meant that life happens, and this could also be in a good context. In 2014, filmmaker Albert Mayles has released a documentary about the life of Iris Apfel. In 2017, she was featured in the film “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast,” which featured non-peers living their best lives without limitations.
Oh yes, we can’t forget that she was named one of the Guardian’s Best Dressed Over 50s in 2013. As if that wasn’t enough, she won several awards in recognition of her impact on fashion. Apfel wanted to be remembered as the “the world’s oldest living teenager,” and it’s safe to say she was the life of every party – in personality and style. As the oldest person to have a Barbie doll made in her honor, Apfel influenced age diversity in dolls and broke boundaries for women.
Apfel was the example for goal-oriented collaboration and inclusivity. She embraced every fine line and wrinkle without cringing and collaborated with countless brands. From being the oldest magazine cover star for Dazed Magazine to landing her first beauty campaign with Ciaté London at the age of 101, she was the epitome of impactful branding and pure energy. These symbiotic alliances made her more famous as the brands’ ROI yielded impressive sales figures.
Her confidence challenged everyone who encountered her to embrace originality. When an elderly person dies unapologetically, putting himself out there and never dropping the ball, you know there is no excuse for complacency and small-mindedness. It shows that everyone, regardless of age, can embrace their style and purpose.
Iris Apfel’s life can be compared to a river: never stagnant, always flowing. She used social media more than the boomers who can’t navigate WhatsApp effectively (shots fired). As a brand, she stayed abreast of social and business trends, which translated into even more success stories for her.
A truly successful person knows the importance of giving to the next generation. This includes philanthropy and mentorship, something that Apfel held close to his heart. She worked with teens and young adults and conveyed her values at every opportunity. This made her more attractive to her audience, and everyone wanted a piece of the magic that was Apfel.
Like fine wine, Apfel blossomed with age. Until her last days she grew in stature and courage. It takes a healthy dose of courage to face normality, ignore it, and take a path not often taken. Like it Robert Frost said, “…two roads diverged in a forest, and I – I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.” Today we take our hats off to a woman who lived with purpose, fierceness and unapologeticity, and thank her for blessing our world and all of fashion with her light. We are indeed glad she took the road less traveled.
Featured image: RICHARD PHIBBS for Harper’s Bazaar
Follow us on Instagram for the latest news in fashion, lifestyle and culture @StyleRave_
All rights reserved. This material and other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, transmitted, cached, rewritten or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the prior express written permission of STYLE RAVE. Use of and/or registration on any part of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions And Privacy Policy.
—Read also
