How a self-described accidental icon redefined the boundaries of fashion and personal style
In short: Iris Apfel was a textile expert and interior designer who became a global fashion icon in her eighties. Known for her flamboyant aesthetic and oversized glasses, she spent decades sourcing rare fabrics for the White House before a museum exhibition transformed her into an unlikely, celebrated model at age 97.
Born in 1921 in Queens, New York, Iris Apfel developed a keen eye for design early, scouring antique shops in Greenwich Village as a child. She honed her professional skills working for Women's Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson. In 1948, she married Carl Apfel, and two years later, the couple launched Old World Weavers. For over four decades, they specialized in reproducing historic textiles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, traveling globally to source rare materials. Their expertise was so highly regarded that they managed restoration projects for nine U.S. presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Bill Clinton.
Apfel’s transition from behind-the-scenes designer to public icon began in 2005, when the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted Rara Avis, an exhibition of her personal collection of jewelry and clothing. It was the museum's first exhibit focused on the style of a living person who was not a professional fashion designer. The show's success launched a new chapter for Apfel, leading to documentaries, books, and a 2019 modeling contract with the agency IMG at age 97. She became a cultural fixture, even inspiring the character Edna Mode in the film The Incredibles.
Beyond her public persona, Apfel maintained a disciplined approach to style, emphasizing that true flair often comes from working within constraints. During the Depression, her family learned to create beauty on the smallest of budgets, a philosophy she carried throughout her life. She remained active well into her final years, collaborating on smart jewelry, appearing in commercials, and continuing to influence the fashion world until her death in 2024 at age 102. Her legacy remains a testament to the idea that personal style is an evolving, lifelong creative practice.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Iris Apfel
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