Stylish at every age: Iris Apfel for kate spade

February 18 2015

A beautiful, wonderful, fabulous thing just happened to fashion, women and the world! kate spade new york chose two style icons to star in their new spring 2015 campaign; gorgeous 22-year-old Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss, and the exquisite, stylish icon, 93-year-old Iris Apfel.

Iris Apfel for kate spade

Fabulous! Iris Apfel for kate spade

Like me, you probably recognise Iris’s face (or glasses!) – but do you know her story? 

A born and bred New Yorker, Iris was destined for a life of creativity. She studied art history at University. She worked for Women’s Wear Daily and for an interior designer before marrying her husband; Carl Apfel. They are still married. #love

Iris+B+Apfel+Carl+Apfel+2008+Lighthouse+International+JF-XHGHkOMxl

I  Iris Apfel: “I still have the dress I wore on the first date with my husband, which was more than 66 years ago. I still have it and it still fits.”

Iris and Carl started a textile business called Old World Weavers which than ran until 1992. Iris took part in several design restoration projects, including work at the White House for NINE different presidents!

Her signature sense of style did not come straight away, but rather developed later after a case of last-minute ‘I have nothing to wear’ led to Iris outlaying what she felt was an outlandish amount of money on a designer frock. Vowing never to land herself in that situation again, Iris began to embrace her inner free-spirited fashionista and embrace the unconventional.

Iris Apfel for kate spade

Iris Apfel: “I’m not a minimialist, as I’m sure you’ve noticed”

Now, its the fashion world that craves Iris most, paving a path to lecturing, exhibits (including of her own style!), features in publications like Vogue and the New York Times and of course lending herself to campaigns like this fabulous one by kate spade!

Why is this so amazing? 

I love fashion. I love that it’s a tool for expressing ourselves and that it has the opportunity to play such a pivotal role in the first impression we give the world. Yet I struggle that despite fashion being a gateway to share the spectacular ways we’re individual, we continue to see the same woman on runways, in magazines and in fashion campaigns. 5 foot 11, size zero, flawless (retouched) skin, 15-25 years old.

Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s exceedingly beautiful. I don’t subscribe to the theory that size zero necessarily means unhealthy and I especially reject the notion that because the women of the catwalks and magazines aren’t the ‘average’ woman, they are any less real. It’s just that there’s a great many other ways women are beautiful that don’t look like what we see in 99% of the images the fashion industry shares with us.

I wholeheartedly believe that sharing beauty that is ‘other’ is critically important. Most obviously, for our girls, who are widely reported to be exposed to more and more mass media as our world continues to be more connected and can’t help but tie their self confidence to belonging and sameness in their formative years. But sharing the beauty of ‘other’ is also important for women. As someone who has never and will never look classically model-esque, seeing images of women are different and fabulous makes my heart sing! I love seeing images that I can relate to. I love the rare occasions where designers embrace someone who looks more like me – it makes me feel relevant! I love seeing women make bold fashion decisions! I love seeing confidence shine through the way a women has chosen to present herself! And I loved finding Iris in the campaign of my all-time-favourite brand; kate spade new york. She is quick and curious and playful and strong. She is every bit as fabulous as the brand itself and gives me proof that style is truly for every age as well as faith that my money invested in kate spade… via my wardrobe… has another 63-odd years to pay dividends. (Shall we talk price per wear, anyone?)

Iris Apfel Kate Spade

Iris Apfel: “More is more and less is a bore”

I hope one day the only constant we see in the fashion world’s depiction of women… is difference. We’re seeing models of different nationalities be successful, and the use of models of ‘unconventional’ (read: average) size increasingly attract a lot of positive attention. I hope we see more women of different ages as well. Just like the untarnished perfection of youth, being able to see proof of a life well lived on the face of a woman is exquisitely beautiful, too.

Difference makes as smarter. As individuals and as a species. It opens our minds to new possibilities and helps us grow, innovate and evolve. And what could be more important than that?

I can’t think of a better to wrap up than to share Iris’s own style tips! (These were originally published in an interview with style.com in November).

What are your secrets to aging gracefully?

I don’t have any secrets. I always eat well; I never eat junk food. I don’t drink soda. I used to smoke four packs a day! But I gave it up; I just quit one day. I don’t do any exercises regularly. I don’t drink heavily, but I do have a drink now and then.

What do you think about personal style…

A woman should know herself, and know what she can afford, not only financially, but if she can carry it off. She should know whether she wants to invest her time in studying herself and experimenting—it doesn’t come from out of the blue. Personal style is attitude, attitude, attitude. It has to come from within. You have to develop things yourself. It takes a long time and it isn’t easy. Lately I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a difficult thing for a lot of women, and it makes them uptight and nervous. You don’t have to be a fashion plate; if it’s a choice of being uptight and nervous, I’d rather be badly dressed. If you’re happy, that’s the most important thing. If you want to experiment, try, but no one is going to put you in jail if you buy the wrong skirt.

Some women I feel sorry for because they look at the glossies and they see these divine-looking models who are maybe 16 with gorgeous complexions (and retouched!). How could anybody possibly even think of looking like that? Why the heck would you want to? You have to be you!

If there is one way you think a woman can always look put together, no matter how simple her outfit, what would it be?

I think if your hair is coiffed and you have good shoes, that takes care of it!

 

Sublime seekers, may your hair be coiffed, your shoes be good and you be exceedingly fabulous always. Much love x

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