Iris Apfel is an American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon known for her eclectic and flamboyant style. At 101 years old, she has had an inspiring life and career spanning over 70 years in various industries. But what exactly is Iris Apfel most famous for? Here’s an in-depth look at her life, work, and lasting cultural impact.
Her Eccentric and Bold Fashion Sense
One of the main things Iris Apfel is renowned for is her eccentric, colorful, and bold fashion sense. She seamlessly mixes high-end luxury designers with bargain finds like costume jewelry, incorporating unique textures, patterns, colors, and accessories. Her look is a far cry from minimalism – she piles on layers of bracelets and necklaces, paired with oversized frames and statement pieces. Iris has claimed she has never met an accessory she didn’t like! Her flair for dramatics and rejection of blending in have made her into a fashion icon.
What are some of the staples of Iris Apfel’s personal style?
Some signature elements of Iris Apfel’s personal style include:
- Oversized and round glasses frames in bold colors or tortoiseshell
- Layered necklaces and bracelets incorporating beads, chains, shells, etc.
- Unusual pattern mixing – pairing stripes, florals, geometrics together
- Incorporating vintage and costume jewelry as statement pieces
- Bright lipstick colors like fuchsia or orange-red
- Dramatic clothing like fur coats, turbans, structured dresses
- Mixing high and low – luxury designers with flea market bargains
Her look is characterized by color, wit, and a “more is more” maximalist aesthetic. She shows that fashion rules are made to be broken.
How would you describe Iris Apfel’s personal fashion sense?
Iris Apfel’s personal fashion sense can best be described as:
- Eclectic – mixing prints, textures, colors, and styles freely
- Maximalist – piling on dramatic accessories for bold looks
- Theatrical – incorporating exaggerated shapes and elements
- Whimsical – playing with proportion, often oversized frames and jewelry
- Humorous – embracing novelty accessories and unusual pairings
- Brazenly unique – rejecting blending in for her own signature style
- Vibrantly colorful – favoring bold, saturated hues over neutrals
- Avant-garde – forward-thinking style that defies fashion norms
- Globally inspired – pulling ideas from cultures worldwide
- Thrifted – cleverly mixing high and low, vintage and luxury
Above all her style reflects her creative spirit, curiosity, confidence, and refusal to conform. She follows her own taste and intuition when getting dressed each day.
Her Pioneering Work as an Interior Designer
Aside from her famous aesthetic, Iris Apfel also built a successful career as an interior designer. Along with her husband Carl Apfel, she launched the textile firm Old World Weavers in 1950. The company specialized in reproducing antique fabrics and ended up providing restoration work for interior design projects around the world.
Iris Apfel took on high-profile clients like Estée Lauder, Greta Garbo, the White House, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She pioneered a bold style of incorporating antique furnishings, art, textiles, and flea market finds within modern interiors. She mixed colors, patterns, textures and periods more freely than her peers. Iris appreciated design from all eras and cultures and enjoyed juxtaposing them in new ways. Her interiors featured her signature maximalism, eclecticism, and charm.
What were some highlights of Iris Apfel’s interior design career?
- Restored interior fabrics and furnishings at the White House for 9 presidents
- Pioneered bold mix-and-match aesthetic in interior design
- Consulted on restoration of over 30 palaces and castles in Italy
- Transformed corporate headquarters for major companies like Estée Lauder
- Designed over 100 homes, hotel lobbies, museum galleries, office spaces
- Had a fabric line with design house Brunschwig & Fils for decades
- Styled fashion shoots for magazines at historic estates she decorated
- Curated the first exhibition on design at the Cooper Hewitt Museum
- Published bestselling books on interior design philosophy and approach
- Continued working and lecturing on design into her 90s
Her innovative vision and timeless style left a lasting mark on the worlds of textile design, antiques, and interior decorating.
Her Status as a Fashion Icon and Muse in Her Later Years
While Iris Apfel could have retired after her illustrious design career, she instead became a fashion icon and muse in her 80s and 90s. She attended fashion shows and events dressed to impress, earning the awe of the industry with her style. In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art featured an exhibition called “Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel” to highlight her influence on fashion.
Iris went on to collaborate on a makeup line for MAC cosmetics and a collection with clothing brand H&M. She appeared in advertisements for brands like Kate Spade and in magazine editorials. Her free-spirited approach to fashion inspired younger generations to embrace creative self-expression. Books like “Iris Apfel: Rare Bird of Fashion” shared wisdom from her life and aesthetic philosophies. She continues to give talks and make public appearances, dazzling all with her energy, style, and wit well into her 100s.
What are some examples of Iris Apfel’s influence on the fashion world later in life?
- Became a front row fixture at fashion shows in her 80s and 90s
- Inspired an exhibition at The Met called “Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel”
- Created makeup collections for MAC Cosmetics at age 83 and 89
- Designed a collection for H&M in her 90s, selling out instantly
- Appeared in print and television ads for Kate Spade New York in her 90s
- Posed for fashion editorials and covered magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair
- Collaborated on eyewear, jewelry, shoe, and home collections inspired by her style
- Mentored younger designers and served as a brand ambassador for companies
- Shared wisdom on creativity and style in books, talks, and documentaries
- Continues to attend fashion events dressed to the nines, amazing crowds
By following her passions and creativity so late in life, Iris inspired people worldwide to embrace authentic self-expression at any age.
Her Status as an Icon of Ageless Style and Spirit
Perhaps most importantly, Iris Apfel has become an inspirational icon of ageless spirit, creativity, and style. When most people retire or wind down their activities, Iris ramped up her fashion influence and design work into her 80s, 90s and 100s. She radiates joy in self-expression through her clothing and eye-catching accessories. Despite being born in 1921, her openness to new things makes her sought after by younger generations.
Iris once said, “I think dressing is an adventure. I never wanted to look younger or older…I look like myself.” Her confidence and willingness to take fashion risks sets an empowering example of living authentically and following your own path. She encourages people to mix things up, find their version of style, and not worry about trends or criticism from others. Iris shows the world how age is merely a state of mind – it’s never too late to pursue your creativity and passions.
What lessons can be learned from Iris Apfel’s ageless spirit?
Some inspiring lessons from Iris Apfel’s ageless spirit include:
- Stay curious – keep exploring art, design, culture, and new ideas
- Follow your passions – do what you love as long as you can
- Take fashion risks – express yourself creatively without fear
- Ignore negativity – critics will always have opinions, brush them off
- Embrace your uniqueness – there is power in owning your authentic style
- Live boldly – fortune favors the bold so don’t hold back
- Stay active and engaged – a sharp mind keeps you young at heart
- Share your gifts – wisdom and creativity only grow with age
- Don’t act your age – ‘old’ is a state of mind, not a number
- Find humor in life – laughter, wit, and joyfulness are fountains of youth
- Accomplish new things – it’s never too late to learn, create, contribute
Iris teaches us that we become more ourselves and more empowered with every year. Aging can be glamorous if you approach it with spirit, vitality, and fearless style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Iris Apfel’s long and illustrious life has made her an icon for many reasons. She is famous for her bold maximalist fashion sense mixing high and low with dramatic accessories. Her pioneering interior design career left a mark on decorating worldwide. Later in life she became a fashion muse in her 80s and 90s, inspiring brands and magazines. Most importantly, Iris Apfel exemplifies aging gracefully – she lives authentically, chases creativity, and stays engaged in the things she loves. Her confidence in self-expression and ageless spirit will continue inspiring generations to come. She proved that bold style, passion, and joy have no expiration date.
Sadly, on March 1st, 2024, Iris Apfel passed away at the age of 102. She lived an extraordinarily full life and left behind an unmatched legacy of creativity. Her influence and iconic sense of personal style will continue to inspire people around the world. Iris once said “I think good taste is the basis of everything. If you have good taste you can wear what you want.” Her unique taste and fearless authenticity are gifts she leaves behind. Though the world lost a vibrant creative force, Iris Apfel’s fame, iconic fashion sense, pioneering interior design work, and ageless spirit will live on for decades to come.
5 Key Things Iris Apfel is Famous For
FAQs About Iris Apfel’s Fame and Impact
Why is Iris Apfel considered a fashion icon?
Iris Apfel is considered a fashion icon because of her instantly recognizable personal style mixing luxurious and inexpensive pieces in daring ways. Her bold use of color, texture, accessories, and jewelry defied convention. She became famous for ignoring fashion “rules” and following her own creative instincts instead.
How did Iris Apfel influence interior design?
Iris Apfel pioneered a maximalist yet curated approach to interior design that blended periods, antiques, vintage textiles, flea market wares, and styles from different cultures. Her interiors were colorful, eclectic, and infused with personality. She helped make interior design more accessible and inspiring to the average person.
What designers has Iris Apfel worked with?
Iris has collaborated with famous designers like MAC Cosmetics on makeup, Kate Spade on advertisements, and H&M on a collection. She also worked with designers like Ralph Rucci on custom fashion for events. Her distinct personal style has inspired collaborations with brands for jewelry, eyewear, shoes, and home goods over the years.
Why did Iris Apfel become more famous later in life?
Iris became famous later in life because she represented a refreshing and empowering example of aging with spirit, vitality, authenticity, and style. When fashion brands noticed an exuberantly dressed elderly woman at events, they were drawn to her energy. Soon she captivated younger generations by showing creativity has no expiration date.
How has Iris Apfel’s style evolved over the decades?
While Iris’ flair for color, accessories, and pattern mixing has lasted over the decades, she continues to incorporate current pieces that keep her style fresh. She adds modern touches like metallic sneakers, leather leggings, or neon accessories to her looks. Iris also wears current designers while staying true to her vintage-inspired aesthetic. Her spirit and playfulness keep her style creative.