Style crush Iris Apfel: eternally iconic

Becoming an influencer and style icon at age 84, now that’s something to aspire to! Born in Queens, New York City, Iris Apfel was originally a businesswoman. She ran the furnishing company Old World Weavers together with her husband Carl Apfel (✝ 2015). Thanks to their eclectic style and luxurious fabrics, the couple’s list of clients included Faye Dunaway, Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder among others. They also outfitted the White House under various presidents (with the exception of John F. Kennedy).

The creative New Yorker always had a penchant for colours, patterns and aesthetics, but only lived out her passion for fashion in her private life. At least until her friend, curator Harold Koda, «ratted her out» to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005. The world-famous Met had just lost an exhibition at short notice and Koda knew all about the impressive fashion collection the then 84-year-old had. The two of them put together a selection of garments, bracelets, necklaces, shoes and other accessories. They were exhibited at the Met under the title Rara Avis, or rare bird. An icon was born, and Apfel with her distinct round XL glasses has been an integral part of the fashion world ever since. In 2018, this «rare bird» even bagged a contract with the world-renowned agency IMG Models. In case you haven’t been doing the maths, she was already 97 years old at the time.

On 1 March 2024, Iris Apfel died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida. At a proud 102.5 years of age, which she had just celebrated on Instagram.

What can we learn from the colourful 102.5 years of Iris Apfel’s life (in terms of fashion)? Here are seven lessons she’s taught us.

1. See trends coming instead of trying to keep up with them

Red tights are in? Boring! Iris Apfel proved courageous her whole life when it came to bold colours. She simply enjoyed things much more when they were colourful. In other words, go with your intuition more instead of following the herd.

2. Dedicate yourself to detail

With her eccentric, maximalist look, Iris Apfel was hard to miss. She also paid a lot of attention to detail. Neat nails, preferably bright red, were a must. It’s subtleties like these that makes someone a true aesthete.

3. Think big

It wouldn’t be an Apfel look if the silhouette didn’t attract attention as well as the colours. So if you’re wondering whether your outfit is over the top, take it up a notch. Iris would have.

4. Accumulate clothing

118 items is the average amount of clothing people have in their wardrobe. That wouldn’t get you far at a Met exhibition. But Iris Apfel’s amount of clothes was next level. So maybe think twice before radically decluttering your closet.

5. Turn casual into smart

A hoody’s pretty much the last thing that comes to mind when I think of Iris Apfel. But being a style icon, she even knew how to make that look stylish. It’s all about accessories and attitude, after all. Once you have that down, casual turns into luxurious.

6. Dress it up at home

Do you only dress up when you’re going out to see other people? You deserve better! Why not put on something nice for yourself once in a while?

7. Be your own muse

Sure, everyone hates to brag, but give yourself more credit for your style. At least once in a while. I’m sure it’s not as unspectacular as you might think. Especially not if you follow these seven golden rules.