Introduction

 Iris Apfel age belies her youthful spirit and daring aesthetic. At an age when most retire their fashion ambitions, she continues to challenge style norms with spirited wit and wisdom. Iris Apfel is a 100-year-old fashion icon admired for her bold, eclectic style and inspiring philosophy on age and fashion. With her trademark oversized accessories and affinity for clashing colours and patterns, the interior designer turned-model has become an unlikely muse in her later life.

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Early Life and Interior Design Career

Iris Barrel was born in Queens, New York, on August 29, 1921. Her family owned a fashion boutique where a young Iris developed her eye for vintage styles and textiles. She studied art history at New York University before working for Women’s Wear Daily and designer Elinor Johnson.

1948, Iris married entrepreneur Carl Apfel and launched the textile firm Old World Weavers in 1950. Iris curated the company’s collection of antique fabrics as they built a prestigious clientele that included Estee Lauder. After selling the company in 1992, Iris leaned into interior design projects.

Rise to Fashion Icon in Her Golden Years : Iris Apfel age

In 2005, at age 84, Iris had her first brush with fashion fame when the Metropolitan Museum of Art featured her clothing and accessories in an exhibition called “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection.” The maximalist pieces sparked interest from the fashion community.

Soon, Iris became a favourite street style star and was signed to IMG Models at age 83. In 2005, she graced her first magazine cover for Chronicle Books. Since then, she has modelled for Kate Spade, MAC Cosmetics, and other brands.

Despite having no formal fashion training, Iris’s taste and style wisdom have earned her recognition from the industry. 2016, at age 95, Iris was appointed to the Council of Fashion Designers of America board and won the group’s Influencer Award.

Style Philosophy: More is More

Iris Apfel’s ageless style mantra is “more is more and less is a bore.” She fills ensembles with layers of bold accessories and mixes colours, prints, and textures without regard for convention. Her humour shines through as she piles on big jewellery and unexpected accessories.

She combines vintage finds like oversized jewellery and printed coats with contemporary pieces for a modern and retro style. Iris sees fashion as a chance for playful self-expression. She said, “I don’t have any rules because I wouldn’t get anything done if I did.”

Later Career: No Plans to Slow Down

Even as Iris entered her 90s, her popularity showed no signs of slowing down. She partnered with brands like Coach and Clinique and walked fashion shows and red carpets draped in her signature eccentric style. The 2015 documentary “Iris” highlighted her trailblazing career.

Iris Apfel’s age has not stopped her from offering her wit and wisdom to over 1 million Instagram followers. She continues to model and speak her mind on fashion, proving personal style has no expiration date. In 2021, at age 100, she launched a collaboration with H&M and graced a campaign for jewellery brand Alexis Bittar.

Quotable Iris Apfel

Beyond her bold fashion sense, Iris is beloved for her sharp musings on style and life:

• “I’m a geriatric starlet!”
• “Elegance is refusal.”
• “I don’t like pretty. Anyone can be pretty.”
• “I’m not going to be fashionable again just because I’m 100.”
• “Getting old ain’t for sissies.”
• “If you’re as old as I am, you have nothing much to lose!”
• “People have to be free to do what they want to do.”

The Key to Ageless Style

Iris often speaks about honouring your inner stylist, regardless of your age. She believes in wearing what makes you happy and doesn’t let her 100+ years stop her from taking fashion risks.

Iris proves personal style requires developing your taste – not chasing trends. She advises investing in quality, unique pieces that will endure, saying: “Buy less, but pay more. Then when you get tired of them, save them for later.”

Iris Apfel’s age is just a number. Her playful, authentic spirit continues to capture the fashion world’s attention. She embodies the power of dressing for yourself.

Conclusion

With over 70 years in fashion and 100+ years of life, Iris Apfel is a model for ageless style. Her bold aesthetic and tongue-in-cheek accessories demonstrate the confidence earned from decades as a tastemaker.

Iris Apfel’s age belies her youthful outlook on fashion. She continues to push style boundaries and share witty musings on fashion and life with fans across generations. Iris Apfel proves personal style is timeless when you stay true to your unique inspirations. As the iconic Iris would say: “More is more and less is a bore!”