“When the fun goes out of dressing, you might as well be dead”
We’re celebrating amazing people doing fascinating and wonderful things – people who just happen to be over 65, and whose age is the least interesting thing about them. Here, we’re happy to introduce Iris Apfel – fashion icon.
In August, Iris Apfel will turn 98. Over nearly a century she’s been an interior designer, founded and run a textile company, was the face of a MAC Cosmetics campaign in her 80s, and is the subject of books, a documentary and an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
Her greatest achievement? “Lasting this long.”
An early interest in fabric
Born in New York (Queens, to be exact), Iris Barrel was an only child. She discovered a fascination for textiles when her grandmother gave her bags of fabric scraps to play with. If she’d been good (and quiet), she was allowed to take a few scraps home with her.
Iris studied art and art history at university, and began her career at Women’s Wear Daily. She married Carl Apfel in 1948, and together they launched Old World Weavers in 1950. It was a successful venture that made their fortune and took them all over the world, sourcing textiles that weren’t available in the US. The company was known for fabrics that were ‘classic, but over the top’ according to Iris.
A world authority on ancient textiles, Iris applied her fine taste to interior design projects at the White House for presidents from Harry Truman right through to Bill Clinton. She was fondly dubbed the ‘First Lady of Fabric’.
‘Retirement’ is anything but
After more than four decades running Old World Weavers, the couple retired from the company in 1992. Before passing in his 101st year, Carl lived to see (and applaud) his wife take on another career: as a fashion icon.
Over her working life, Iris had developed a unique flare when it came to personal fashion, building a collection featuring vivid colours, mismatched fabrics and large, chunky jewellery. She was thrust into the limelight in 2004 when the Metropolitan Museum launched an exhibition of her vibrant, eclectic wardrobe – ‘Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel’. The display was a combination of designer chic and flea-market treasures, and the models and mannequins always sported her signature over-sized glasses.
Saying she never dressed for anyone but herself, Iris adds, “When the fun goes out of dressing, you might as well be dead.”
A second career blossoms
From the growing fame sparked by the museum exhibition came other opportunities for Iris. Cheered on by Carl, she was the subject of an award-winning documentary, Iris, did modelling for Kate Spade and others, graced the cover of magazine Dazed & Confused, and her wardrobe appeared in a coffee table book. She’s even written her own book: ‘Iris Apfel, accidental icon’, subtitled ‘Musings of a Geriatric Starlet’.
Toy giant Mattel has dragged Iris fully into the mainstream with the creation of a one-of-a-kind ‘Iris’ Barbie that accompanied her book (not for sale), and now the ‘Styled by Iris Apfel’ Barbies that are available to the general public.
Iris’s beloved Carl passed away in 2015, just three days before turning 101.
“We were together 68 years,” she says. “I am grateful the good Lord provided interesting projects for me to do, so I was able to create another life.”
Life lessons from the world’s oldest teenager
“Don’t obsess over your age”
According to Iris, age doesn’t matter if you don’t let yourself think about it. On the other hand, she counts it foolish to pretend you’re younger than you are. Her recent fame, and being up-front about her age, has made inroads through the entrenched ageism of the fashion industry.
Move through the pain
“If you have two of anything,” Iris says, “chances are one of them will hurt when you get up in the morning, but you have to get up and move beyond the pain.” Keeping a sense of wonder, humour and curiosity can help you feel young, she believes – and open you to new relationships with younger people.
Be yourself always
“If you have to be all things to all people, you end up being nothin’ to nobody,” Iris declares. Be your own person first, and dress to please yourself, she adds. “If you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t have to think like everyone else.”
Keep trying
“You only fail if you don’t try,” she adds. “Sometimes you have to take action, even if it is a small step.”
Doing what makes you happy
Iris Apfel doesn’t look like she’ll stop anytime soon. Top interior designer, successful business woman, vivid fashion icon and trail-blazing model for older women – who wouldn’t want to grow up and be like her? Even classic Barbies are falling in line, following her example.
Anyone who thinks it would be near impossible to emulate Iris should understand that it’s all about doing what makes you happy. Find a passion and follow it with all your heart, and don’t let a mere number (like age) hold you back. Stay in circulation, keep moving and enjoy your life.
“In wonder it begins and in wonder it ends,” says Iris. So true.