Iris Apfel’s Life Was An Inspiration And A Charge To Many

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t’s likely that Coco Chanel’s advice, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,” would have irked the iconic Iris Apfel in all her maximalist glory. The geriatric starlet, as she called herself, was in no way an advocate 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 dash of excitement to the world of fashion. On March 1, at 102 years old, Iris Apfel said goodbye, and we’ll never forget this woman who defied all style protocols in all ridiculousness. 

Before she became a highly coveted style star, interior decoration was her forte. It’s easy to tell she wasn’t given to basics, and let her eclectic taste take precedence in her art. The louder, the better was her mantra. Apfel once said, “More is more. And less is a bore.” Nothing was truer than this quote as the trendsetter glided through life with a confidence that left everyone in admiration. Her style wasn’t the easiest to comprehend, but the confidence with which she operated is a worthy study in a time like ours. “I’m not pretty, and I’ll never be pretty, but it doesn’t matter. I have something much better. I have style,” she said. Perhaps, this passion for fashion can be linked to her mother who dropped out of law school after getting pregnant with Iris to start a fashion boutique.

A brief history of Iris Apfel’s life

Iris Apfel was born in New York City in 1921 to Jewish parents. Her childhood contributed significantly to her career. Influenced by the antiquated Greenwich Village, where she constantly collected antiques, she started her jewelry line. After her marriage to Carl Apfel in 1952, the Old World Weavers– a textile brand — was born. They decided not to have kids because it wouldn’t complement their lifestyle.

Apfel started as an antique collector and then moved to textile reproduction, boasting an elite crux of clientele which included the White House. Her decorations were unique and featured an artistic flare 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 individual to showcase her pieces at the Met. The exhibition was named Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel. Mannequins were dressed up in eclectic combinations, recreating the fashion icon’s outside-the-box sense of style.

The exhibition added more fuel to her already-blazing fire and kept her name on the tongue of fashion. Her ensembles continued to bring drama, the accessories piled up, and her outfit’s embellishments got even more daring. Indeed, Apfel’s defiance of the fashion status quo waxed stronger. By 2016, she was featured in a DS3 commercial. This marked her entrance into the mainstream modeling world as a senior citizen.

Her legacy lives on

And just like that, Apfel was the talk of the town, featuring on the pages of fashion magazines and exhibitions for her audacious and rebellious representations. Iris Apfel’s life was an inspiration to many. It signified that life happens, and this could also be within a good context. In 2014, filmmaker Albert Maysles released a documentary on the life of Iris Apfel. By 2017, she was featured in the film, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast”– where nonagenarians lived their best life without restrictions.

Oh yes, we can’t forget that in 2013 she was named one of the Guardian’s Best Dressed over 50. As if that wasn’t enough, she won various awards in recognition of her impact on fashion. Apfel wanted to be remembered as the “world’s oldest living teenager,” and it’s safe to say she was the life of every party — in personality and style. Being the oldest person who had a Barbie doll made after her, Apfel influenced age diversity in dolls and broke boundaries for women.

Apfel was the poster girl for purposeful collaboration and inclusion. Embracing every fine line and wrinkle without cowering, she partnered with numerous brands. From being the oldest magazine cover star for Dazed Magazine to nailing her first beauty campaign with Ciaté London at 101, she was the epitome of impactful branding and pure energy. These symbiotic alliances made her more famous as the brands’ ROI yielded impressive turnovers.

Her confidence challenged anyone who encountered her to embrace originality. When a senior citizen slays unapologetically, puts herself out there, and never drops the ball, you know there’s no excuse for complacency and small thinking. It shows that regardless of age, anyone can embrace their style and purpose.

Iris Apfel’s life could be likened to a river — never stagnant, ever flowing. She utilized social media more than the boomers who can’t effectively navigate WhatsApp (shots fired). As a brand, she stayed current with social and business trends, which translated to even more success stories for her.

A truly successful person knows the importance of giving to the next generation. This includes charity and mentorship, something Apfel kept close to her heart. She worked with teenagers and young adults, infusing her values at any given opportunity. This made her more desirable to her audience, and everyone wanted a slice of the magic that was Apfel.

Like fine wine, Apfel blossomed with age. Till her last days, she grew in stature and courage. It takes a healthy dose of bravery to stare normalcy in the face, ignore it, and journey the road not often taken. Like Robert Frost said, “…two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Today, we duff the hat to a woman who lived purposefully, fiercely, and unapologetically, thanking her for blessing our world and all of fashion with her light. Indeed, we’re glad she took the road less traveled.

Featured image: RICHARD PHIBBS for Harper’s Bazaar

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