Iris Apfel:“Be your own person and stick with it. I like the idea that younger people have the opportunity of trying lots of things to see what suits them.”Courtesy of H&M.
Unlike most It Girls,Iris was well into her 80s when she became publicly known. In 2005,Harold Koda,the head curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute,asked her to create a show from her personal collection of accessories and clothes. Having worked in interior design – Iris and her late husband,Carl,founded the textile company Old World Weavers and were involved in redecorating the White House under Presidents Truman to Clinton – she became a fashion star overnight.
Iris has since starred in campaigns (including for Kate Spade,at 93),collaborated on a make-up collection with Mac,been the subject of the Emmy-nominated documentaryIris,and appeared on magazine covers. She also has over,where her bio reads “More is more&less is a bore”. And for her latest trick? A collaboration with the high-street giant H&M,which lands in stores later this month,to celebrate her centennial year.
“I think it’s important to translate high fashion and good design into prices that people can afford – lots of people either can’t afford fashion or they don’t want to spend so much money on one piece,” she says,gesticulating with arms stacked with bangles.
The 38-piece collection is an all-singing,all-dancing tribute to Iris’s “bold and wild” style – think silky print co-ords,embellished flats and,of course,plenty of costume jewellery.
“I love the whole collection – it’s like asking who is your favourite child. My fans start from six years old and up,and I try to include something for everyone.
“Of course there are things I love that I wouldn’t dream of wearing – maybe 100 years old is a little late for a bikini?” she laughs. “That’s the best thing about getting old,you don’t need to worry about what you look like in a bathing suit any more.”
She credits her relentless work ethic as the ultimate anti-ageing tonic:“I work very hard – I love to work and surround myself with young people who give me lots of inspiration.
“I don’t think you ever really understand everything – every day you have to learn something and keep an open mind. It’s the art of anti-ageing. To close your mind and think you know everything is foolish.
“I hope I’ve learnt a few things along the way and I hope to learn some more.”
Iris herself may not believe in style rules as such,but she has some Irisisms the rest of us can live by …
Individuality is always a good idea
“Be your own person and stick with it. I like the idea that younger people have the opportunity of trying lots of things to see what suits them,so they can start to build their own wardrobe that’s for them rather than the herd. Style takes work. You can’t just press a button or buy one thing.”
Accessorise all areas
“My mother worshipped at the altar of accessories. The things she could do with a scarf. She taught me that if you put your money into accessories,you could have a million different outfits by mixing and matching. You could go to the office in a black sweater and trousers and wear the same outfit
to a cocktail party at night just by swapping your accessories.
“If you wore flats to work with a simple belt you might add a necklace for lunch,and then you just keep adding and subtracting until you get to the evening,when you might have a beautiful shawl or pair of earrings.”
Basics don’t have to be basic
“Everyone should have a well-cut pair of black trousers,a pair of grey flannel trousers and a sweater to match – if you can get it,cashmere. Every wardrobe should have a few classic basics and then you can play to that.”
Work hard,play hard
“I don’t have any anti-ageing secrets – I have to thank the man upstairs. He has been very good to me. I eat well,I don’t eat a lot,but I don’t eat any junk food,I don’t smoke any more and I barely drink. I think hard work is the answer – it keeps me going. Plus I have to have fun. My husband – may he rest – always said you have one trip so you may as well enjoy it,and at this stage in my life,if I can’t have fun working,who needs it?”
Tracksuits? Approach with caution
“My look has not changed,it has only become more so. It’s bold and wild. Even during the pandemic,I was not a sweatpants girl. Tights are as far as I go. I like to be comfortable but I don’t like to look like I’m going to the gym. If I’m at home I will wear a robe.”
Shop with feeling
“I don’t buy anything I don’t like,so I have a closet full of favourites. It’s all about what you can handle financially and what suits you. It could be wonderful on you and ghastly on me!”
Iris Apfel x H&M is available online and in selected stores from March 31.
The Sunday Times (UK)
To read more from Sunday Lifemagazine,.
Make the most of your health,relationships,fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. every Monday.