Iris Apfel

March 1st, 2016

For the past two weeks, the snow storms have kept me home. Unable to get out and meet exciting women to interview, I wrote about Louise Bourgeois last week and now, I'd like to present Iris Apfel. If you work in the fashion industry, then you already know her. However, I will hazard a guess that some of you have never heard of her, I hadn't, but you should.

Last night, my husband and I watched a documentary about this amazing woman. She is 94 years old and lives in New York. At first, I stared at the tv screen, stunned by this larger-than-life woman. She was wearing bright colours, furs, hats, large black-rimmed glasses and massive jewelry. She doesn't like tiny, precious jewelry. She prefers bold pieces that make a statement. Her home is a museum of sorts with wall to wall designer outfits and chunky jewelry from all over the world.

She spoke of her desire to wear jeans when she was younger. She was told that women don't wear jeans. She insisted and, eventually, the store owner sent her a pair of boys' jeans. She wore them and loved it. She accessorized and made them trendy. Throughout the documentary, you can see photographs of her travels. She has been all over the world, purchasing fabrics and jewelry. She explains how to barter with merchants, how they are disappointed if you pay without negotiating the price.

They show her in her 90s, visiting fashion sets where young models wear her combinations of clothing and accessories or, getting dolled-up for a photos shoot. She shops around for new items of clothing or to add to her collection of eclectic jewelry. Her husband, obviously dressed by her, sits and waits, occasionally weighing in on one of her purchases. He is a sweet man, talking about his love for his wife and confirming that he could never get bored with Iris as his wife.

She worked in the fashion world and as an interior designer. She and her husband owned a design company and were requested to help decorate the White House on many occasions. When The Met called her because an exhibit they had planned fell through, she put together an exhibit of her designer fashions and accessories. They promoted the exhibit through word of mouth and it was extremely well received. So much so that Iris became famous. She still receives 50 calls a day from media wanting her to attend an event, a photoshoot or, requesting an interview. I loved watching this woman, doing what she loves with her devoted husband at her side, shopping with her assistant, haggling with store merchants, dressed up in full garb.

When I grow old, I want to be active and passionate, wild, colourful and eccentric just like Iris Apfel.

Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org