Iris Apfel - Age-defying icon
|
It's almost as if the term Grande Dame was created specially for Iris Apfel. She is over 90 but she has never given in to the idea that she should be anyone but herself.
Over the years she has worked in and alongside the fashion industry - she studied art history then joined Women's Wear Daily. She studied and practised Interior design - including restoration work for the interiors of many presidential apartments.
With her husband she launched and ran Old World Weavers a textile business - until they retired in 1992. She may have retired but has never withdrawn from view. Her iconic sense of stye is unmistakeable. Her oversize spectacles are a trademark as is her penchant for textures and almost tribal jewellery. |
What Iris Apfel teaches us.
In western society we seem to value youth and a cookie cutter idea of beauty above all else - even as our population ages.
Iris is a reminder that as individuals we don't have to become invisible or recede into the shadows as we age.
You might not share Iris' taste - but that doesn't matter one bit. She is a beacon of individuality and the importance of expressing yourself - through fashion, art or double entry book-keeping (if that's your thing) - no matter what your age is. How you look can be about identity and having fun - not necessarily following trends or looking younger.
She also shows us that growing old gracefully doesn't mean becoming more and more grey, sitting quietly in the corner.
Here's to the age-defying Iris Apfel!
In western society we seem to value youth and a cookie cutter idea of beauty above all else - even as our population ages.
Iris is a reminder that as individuals we don't have to become invisible or recede into the shadows as we age.
You might not share Iris' taste - but that doesn't matter one bit. She is a beacon of individuality and the importance of expressing yourself - through fashion, art or double entry book-keeping (if that's your thing) - no matter what your age is. How you look can be about identity and having fun - not necessarily following trends or looking younger.
She also shows us that growing old gracefully doesn't mean becoming more and more grey, sitting quietly in the corner.
Here's to the age-defying Iris Apfel!
BOOK:
RARE BIRD OF FASHION
This book captures the unique style of fashion maverick Iris Apfel and her exuberantly idiosyncratic personal chic.
See how can mix Dior haute couture with flea-market finds to create he idiosyncratic style.
Click for more
RARE BIRD OF FASHION
This book captures the unique style of fashion maverick Iris Apfel and her exuberantly idiosyncratic personal chic.
See how can mix Dior haute couture with flea-market finds to create he idiosyncratic style.
Click for more
VIDEO CLIP:
The self-proclaimed "geriatric starlet" talks career highs and guilty pleasures with her friend and founder of Advanced Style, Seth Cohen.
The self-proclaimed "geriatric starlet" talks career highs and guilty pleasures with her friend and founder of Advanced Style, Seth Cohen.
