Iris Apfel American entrepreneur, interior designer and fashion icon. Date of Birth: 29.08.1921 Country: USA

Biography of Iris Apfel

Iris Apfel is an American entrepreneur, interior designer, and fashion icon. Despite the challenges of remaining active in any field at the age of 94, Iris continues to be a true legend in the world of fashion. She was born Iris Barrel in Astoria, Queens, New York, the only child of Samuel Barrel, owner of a glass mirror company, and his wife Sadye, owner of a fashionable boutique. Both Samuel and Sadye were Jewish.

Iris studied art history at New York University and later attended the art school at the University of Wyoming. As a young woman, she worked for Women's Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson. She also served as an assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman. In 1948, Iris married Carl Apfel. Two years later, they started their joint venture, a textile company called 'Old World Weavers', which they managed until 1992.

From 1950 to 1992, Iris Apfel participated in numerous restoration projects, including working at the White House under 9 different presidents. Despite Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis being a demanding client, the Apfels successfully met all of her needs and requirements. In 2012, at the age of 90, Iris served as a visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She continues to actively give lectures and consultations on various fashion topics.

In 2013, Iris was named one of the best-dressed people over 50 by The Guardian. In 2005, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York held an exhibition dedicated to Iris Apfel's unique style, titled 'Rara Avis' or 'Rare Bird'. The exhibition was a huge success and led to its replication in various exhibition venues across the country.

Currently, the Museum of Style and Fashion in Boynton Beach, Florida is designing a new building for an exhibition featuring Iris Apfel's clothing, accessories, and furniture. In October 2014, the documentary film 'Iris' by Albert Maysles premiered at the New York Film Festival. The film was later acquired by Magnolia Pictures for release in theaters in 2015. Iris positively reviewed the film, although she admitted it was unusual to see herself from an outsider's perspective. Unfortunately, the documentary turned out to be Maysles' last work, as he passed away in 2015.

Even at 94 years old, Iris Apfel remains one of the most unique and vibrant figures in the fashion world. With impressive creativity, she continues to set fashion trends and regularly surprises others with her unconventional style choices. By combining expensive and inexpensive, modern and vintage items, Iris creates an incredible effect, proving that age is not a barrier for true talent. She actively collects rare collectible items and collaborates with numerous well-known brands.

Iris frequently travels the world, finding inspiration for her complex style combinations. The unusual items she discovers during her travels often become excellent additions to her wardrobe and serve as building blocks for her fashion masterpieces. Iris approaches the process of creating a style and choosing outfits for events as a form of art and consistently produces impressive results.

Iris attracts a large number of people with extraordinary creative abilities. Among them were outstanding musicians like Duke Ellington and talented artists like photographer Bill Cunningham from The New York Times.