Celebrating the Life of Iris Apfel
Remembering a Style Icon
1921-2024
Iris Apfel, a luminary in the textiles sector celebrated for her significant contributions to White House design, and her distinctive style, has passed away at the age of 102. This somber news has been officially corroborated by Stu Loeser, acting as a spokesperson for her estate.
Photo by Ruvén Afanador for Zenni
Born in 1921, Iris Apfel started her career in interior design. In 1950, she and her husband, Carl Apfel, founded Old World Weavers, a textile company specializing in high-quality reproductions of antique fabrics. Over the years, they worked on various design projects, contributing to the restoration of interiors at the White House, including work for several presidents.
Apfel's unique and eclectic personal style, characterized by bold accessories and oversized glasses, became her trademark. Despite not having formal training in fashion, her distinctive look led to collaborations with renowned brands like MAC Cosmetics and Swarovski.
In 2014, the documentary film "Iris" directed by Albert Maysles provided a closer look at Apfel's life, career, and influence on the fashion industry. Her fearless approach to fashion and design has made her an iconic figure, celebrated for her creativity and individuality.
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After the release of the documentary "Iris" in 2014, Iris Apfel continued to maintain a highly active and influential presence in the fashion and design world. She became a sought-after speaker, sharing her insights on style, creativity, and the importance of individuality. Apfel's unique approach to fashion garnered her collaborations with various brands and designers, solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
She also expanded her influence through partnerships with companies like WiseWear, where she designed a line of smart jewelry. Additionally, Apfel continued to be featured in fashion magazines and was often invited to events, remaining a prominent figure in the industry.
Apfel's later years have been marked by her continued impact on the intersection of fashion, design, and individual expression, inspiring people of all ages to embrace their own distinctive styles.
As we bid farewell to Iris Apfel, her legacy remains an indelible mark on the worlds of fashion, design, and individual expression. Her fearless approach to style and creativity will continue to inspire generations to come. While her physical presence may be gone, her spirit lives on in the vibrant colors, bold accessories, and daring designs she championed throughout her remarkable life. Iris Apfel may have left this world at the age of 102, but her influence will endure, eternally woven into the fabric of our collective imagination.
Description
Fashion icon Iris Apfel shares her philosophy for living, unique perspective on design, and the key moments that have shaped her life, along with 300 photographs from her personal collection.
Iris Apfel is no stranger to bold colors, patterns, and designs-anyone can tell you that. But what is the color of happiness? Well, at 102 years old, she knows a thing or two about living well, and she's ready to share her design doctrine, greatest inspirations, and life story.
A one-of-a-kind tome of technicolor design, this book is a treasure trove of ideas for creative minds. Weaving in personal stories with her theories on using color, sparking imagination, and finding happiness, Apfel's words dance across the pages, just like the jazz music she loves so dearly.