While perusing the society pages, do you ever wonder who the woman in the over sized, round glasses is? She never fails to be adorned with something bold and eye-catching, always slightly quirky and eclectic, but dressed-to-the-nines nonetheless? She calls herself a 'geriatric starlet' but she's has been one of fashion's muses, inspiring everyone from designers to glossy magazine editors. She is Iris Apfel, a businesswoman, former interior designer, and one of New York City and Palm Beach's own fashion peacocks.
Born Iris Barrel,her family owned a glass and mirror business, and a fashion boutique. Apfel is certainly a part of a unique breed of style icons. I had met her once at one of our charity events through our store's personal shopping consultant and she was a real pistol. We talked a little about fashion and interior design, and she wanted to know why I'm not doing anymore, but that's another story. I immediately loved her style and was very drawn to those glasses! I wonder if there is a fabulous club for stylish women who wear big glasses. Were Sylvia Weinstock, Carrie Donovan, and Iris all friends who think?
She married Carl Apfel in the 40's. Together, they launched the textile firm Old World Weavers and ran it until they retired in 1992 and sold out to Stark textiles. During this time, she built it into one of the most prestigious brands in the world of textiles and interior design and the authority on antique textile reproductions. She also took part in many design restoration projects, including work at the White House for nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton.
Her Park Avenue home was featured in Architectural Digest I while back and I found it just as colorful and eccentric as she is!
I just finished reading the book about her and found it highly intresting and very entertaining. Here is a quotation from our fashion Icon regarding accessories, and one myself firmly believe in : “For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. My friends tell me that my oversized glasses and my pairs of bracelets have become my unwritten signature. I have amassed an enormous ‘collection’ of bags, belts, bangles and beads without which I would be lost. One can change the entire look of an outfit by substituting one accessory for another. I love objects from different worlds, different eras, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving – hopefully – a kind of throwaway chic.” Iris Apfel.
Long live this fabulous fashion icon!!!!!!
