The colourful Iris Apfel, who reached a milestone 100 years last August, is our inspiration for this month’s ‘Style Not Age’. It was my turn to choose and her collaboration with H&M launches today. So I thought it would be fun to take our inspiration from this style icon.
WHO IS IRIS APFEL?
Even if you don’t know her by name, you’ve probably seen images of Iris Apfel online or in magazines.
She wears giant sunglasses and loves her accessories. You might also notice that she likes layering. Why wear one necklace when six or seven make a statement. And you seldom see her with only one bangle. Often her arms are stacked right up to the elbows with a colourful collection.
Bold colours and prints are also part of her style and she is fond of feathers and adornment. Generally she keeps to two or three main colours in an outfit so there is a cohesion to it.
BACKGROUND
With her husband Karl, Iris ran an interior design company, Old World Weavers, for over forty years starting in 1951. She also restored historic American buildings, including parts of the White House.
Thanks to her career as an interior designer, Iris Apfel travelled to discover materials, artifacts and designs. Along the way, she’d buy things and add them to her wardrobe. This included everything from couture clothing and costume jewellery to accessories from bazaars and flea markets.
In 2008, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art held an exhibition featuring items from her vast clothing collection. This established her place in the fashion world, not as a fashion designer, but rather for her skills as a stylist and collector.
INSPIRED BY IRIS APFEL
I must say I had great fun with this. Unlike Iris, I am more of a minimalist than a maximalist. ‘More is More and less is a bore’ she claims. So, I layered on the bangles and the necklaces.
I found a lovely green dress and feathered cardigan in Studio 21 in Malahide which fitted in perfectly with the theme. And Iris does seem to like green too. My favourite boots from M&S completed the look.
‘When the fun goes out of dressing, you might as well be dead.’
So says Iris. I think she might be right.
‘Style Not Age’ Friends
My friends had fun with this month’s theme too.
Anna went with a fabulous ruffled blouse and pink gingham trousers. Of course, she had no problem with accessories and she layered her necklaces to her heart’s content. Pop over to annasislandstyle for more info on how she tackled the theme.
Gail looks fabulous in pink. Iris Apfel loves colour and pink is one of her favourites. And I love Gail’s green neck piece. Find out more on Is This Mutton.
Jacqui layered her necklaces just like Iris and donned the oversized glasses too, though she claims she is not totally happy with her offering. Pop over to Mummabstylish and see why.
Iris Apfel would love Emma’s bold reds and her turquoise accessories. And you can find out where Emma picked up her pieces on The Style Splash.
I hope you enjoyed our ‘Style Not Age’ theme this month. Check out Iris Apfel’s collaboration with H&M if you like her style. Or is it too flamboyant for you?
Thanks for reading as always. I hope Iris has brightened your day.
Hilda
I love your Iris-inspired outfit Hilda! I’m sure she would wholeheartedly approve of it. Such a fun theme, one of my favourites!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I struggle each time it is my turn to choose so this one was inspired!
This is one of the best style prompts I’ve ever seen, I think, Hilda! It’s absolutely FAB, and you all nailed it!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Ah thanks Suzy. I was delighted with it. And we all did great. x
Turned out okay Hilda, mine not yours – I simply adore the whole look and you’d look great wearing it for a special occasion. I did struggle – particularly with the shots! I changed in the car, and look all lumpy and bumpy in this smooth dress. Looking forward to the next challenge, excited to hear from Gail what it will be! Jacqui x
Thanks Jacqui. I love them all. xx
This was such a fun challenge! I love your cardigan and all the jewellery!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thanks Emma I enjoyed it too. xx
What a beautiful post to honor our centenarian fashionista❣️
Everybody’s colors and especially your green skirt sparkle like jewels
Ah thanks Angie… it was fun.
I’m also a bit of minimalist so it was such fun to be a bit more unrestrained! Love your outfit and how lucky you are with your daughter left all her jewellery behind!
Yes great being able to dip into her jewellery. I like being taken out of my comfort zone for a change.
You did a great job styling this look! Love your dress and cardigan.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you.. we had great fun.
I really think you did fabulous at this recreation Hilda!!
Sometimes I think Iris seems a bit too much, yet I’m sure I seem that way to others too. Besides, I love her message that we are all unique!!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I love this Hilda! First Bravo to your outfit! The greens are glorious on you and your neck party is fab! I know she says, More is More! You’ve also got the bracelets going on. I think you captured Iris perfectly, and wtth her characteristic glasses. Looks like fun, she is pretty amazing!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.cm
This would have been a huge challenge for me! I love looking at styles like this but just not on me xx
I read her book! What a wonderful fashionlover she was. You nailed the look here too.
I totally loved this challenge Hilda and thought you did an amazing job with your green homage to Iris! Like you, I read a lot about Iris on the way and must admit that she’s a pretty remarkable woman. Well done to us all for this one!
WELL as you can IMAGINE I ADORE IRIS and we think a lot like!
I love STUFF and COLOR. BY THE WAY YOUR DRESS IS FABULOUS!
IRIS and I WOULD HAVE LOTS TO TALK ABOUT!
SHE IS INCREDIBLE AND I HOPE I NEVER STOP THE NEED TO DRESS WITH FLAIR!
XXX
She is wonderful. And what a wonderful age she is. Such verve and zest for life.
Hi, Gail – You found the perfect pieces to wear for this! You look simply glamorous to the hilt. Iris Apfel inspires me immensely. But after watching her movie, I ran to my closet with great excitement and couldn’t replicate her look at all. I guess it’s not me, but I should try again in an adjusted way that fits me better. I think you got that: in the dress and the statement green crystal necklace. They are gorgeous on you in a sophisticated way and yet you got the extravagant accessories just right, especially with the feathers coming down on the necklace that mirrors the feather hem on the cardigan. I’m impressed and inspired all over to try again. Thanks – Angie,www.yourtrueselfblog.com