See Style Icon Iris Apfel’s Fabulous Decor and Fashion Finds That Are Available at Auction
The collection encapsulates the late idol’s legacy to a T
Iris Apfel wasn’t just an icon, she was a legend. She wasn’t just a style inspiration, she was a fashion mogul. The businesswoman, interior designer and fashion designer was known around the world as one of the most influential women in fashion, with a larger-than-life personality, all the way up until her passing at age 102. She dressed in bold, colorful prints and patterns, vivacious textures and maximalist accessories (and her home aesthetic followed suit). And now, some of her most iconic pieces are up for auction at Christie’s. Keep reading for more on how Iris Apfel defined a century of fashion and design and a look at the pieces from the Iris Apfel auction.
Iris Apfel’s impact on style and design
Born in 1921 in Queens, New York., Iris Apfel was essentially born into fashion. Her mother owned a fashion boutique, which introduced Apfel at an early age to design and style. She would take the train into Manhattan, specifically Greenwich Village, as a young girl to visit antique shops, which started her collection of vintage clothing and jewelry.
Apfel went on to study art history at New York University, as well as attend art school at the University of Wisconsin. She worked at Women’s Wear Daily as a copywriter, as well as working for interior designer Elinor Johnson. Later on, in 1950, she started a textile firm named Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl Apfel. The two ran the firm for an impressive 42 years before they retired in 1992. Iris and the firm served some of the biggest names in the country, such as the White House over nine presidencies, including Kennedys, Nixons and Clintons.
Iris’ style could be described as eclectic, kitschy, outspoken and bold. She was a maximalist to her core, and her famous mantra was “More is more, and less is a bore.” She often wore feathers, bright colors, bold, red lipstick and, perhaps most famously, thick, round, large-framed eyeglasses. She was a fashion icon and a source of style inspiration for many.
Apfel was highly sought after by brands and magazines, so much so that she officially signed with a modeling agency, IMG, in 2019 at age 97. She also starred in a documentary titled Iris and there was an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in her honor called “Rara Avis [Rare Bird]: The Irreverent Iris Apfel.”
Iris Apfel auction at Christie’s
From January 28 to February 13, pieces from Apfel’s wardrobe and home will be up for auction online at Christie’s. The collection includes both home decor items as well as clothing and accessories.
Some notable decor pieces for sale are her Victorian brass bird cage, lime green figure of Iris riding a scooter and Louis VXI style bergere. From her closet, you can find a colorblock Carolina Herrera shirt dress, ruffled, flounced jackets and a wide collection of spunky, colorful eyeglasses for sale, to name a few.
Bids are estimated to range from $200 to upwards of $7,000. There are 220 items for auction. You can find the pieces available on Christie’s.
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