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Fashion icon Iris Apfel (100) launches own collection

She is undoubtedly the world's most notable fashion icon: 100-year-old Iris Apfel. Although the fashion icon blew out 100 candles just last year, that does not mean she is sitting still. Today, together with fashion chain H&M, she is launching a brand new collection, which totally suits her unique style.Text: Patrick Stoffer
Image: H&MPhoto: H&MThe collaboration came about because, according to H&M, the fashion legend is very influential in the fashion world and has eclectic tastes. ''Iris shows the basics of what fashion is all about: expressing who you are or want to be in a fun way.''

That Iris Apfel is partnering with H&M for this milestone has two reasons, according to her: "I think H&M is great and definitely a pioneer in its business. And I love that. H&M is a crack at fashion looks at an affordable price. Totally my thing, in other words."

She took her inspiration from the plant and animal kingdom, but equally from other splendors that the world has to offer. She chose to add many layers and statement pieces to the collection, which she loves so much. In terms of colors, striking shades such as emerald green, canary yellow, turquoise, purple and warm orange were chosen.

One of the highlights of the collection is a purple coat, a true statement piece. The result is as radiant as Apfel himself. For example, a jacquard-woven suit, whose embroidery consists of pea pods and pea pearls, a voluminous volant jacket of tulle and a dashing volant skirt with matching blouse with iris print. If all that wasn't enough, the style icon also added a full jewelry line to look completely á la Apfel.Photo: H&MA century ago (1921), she first saw the light in Queens, New York as Iris Barrel in a Jewish family. Family on her father's side worked in the stained glass industry and her mother, born in Russia, owned a clothing store. Apfel studied art history at NYU and later attended art school.
In 1947 she ran into textile merchant Carl Apfel, and a year later they got married. The design team took on the White House no less than nine times. "It was actually a pretty easy job because everything always had to look as much as possible like how it already was. Well, until Mrs. Kennedy came along. She hired a famous Parisian designer to make the house really French-chic, and the design world went crazy. Then we had to throw everything out and start over. But I really liked Mrs. Nixon." They also decorated the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The couple lived in Florida and New York and traveled all over the world together. There was no room for children in the couple's busy lives. In 1992, Carl and Iris retired and found themselves in slightly quieter waters. In 2015, after more than 60 years of marriage, Carl passed away at the age of 100.

The diva was not in the spotlight her entire life. This happened in 2005, when she was already past 80. The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art had to cancel an exhibition that year and sought a replacement for this show. Apfel proved a success and in no time became a star and style icon. Her unusual clothing style proved an inspiration to many, and in 2018 a Barbie doll inspired by Iris was even developed.

 

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