Fashion Designer That Wears Big Glasses
Legendary style icon Iris Apfel, who turns 100 this week, is living proof that you're but as quondam as you feel. "Everything about turning 100 is fantastic, just I really do believe that I'm nevertheless the world'south oldest teenager," she jokes. The hush-hush to her youthful joie de vivre? Equal parts passion and drive.
After starting the fabric house Sometime World Weavers in 1950 with her late husband Carl, Apfel worked for decades as an interior designer, even helping with décor and restoration projects at the White Firm for 9 unlike presidents. While she ever had impeccable personal style and an middle for mode, the manufacture didn't officially come up calling until much after. "My outset big job in fashion came when I was 84, then as cliché as it is, age really is just a number to me," she says. "But being passionate about my projects and putting my heart and soul into them has kept me young. That's why I'll never stop working."
In her nineties lone, Apfel has signed with the global modeling agency IMG, released an autobiographical coloring volume and a memoir, and debuted a fashion capsule drove with HSN and a abode collection with Grandin Road. And now, to mark her milestone birthday, she teamed up with spectacles make Zenni to design the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection, which features a colorful selection of the large, assuming frames that take go her signature accompaniment.
For InStyle's August "Badass Women" issue, we caught up with Apfel to talk virtually her milestone birthday, what inspires her, and why she doesn't plan to slow downward anytime soon.
Credit: Ruven Afanador for Zenni
You were recently named ane of InStyle's Badass 50. What makes a badass adult female to you lot?
Oh, that'south easy. It's confidence! Anybody who embraces who they are in their style, career, really any aspect of their life is a badass. I believe the old aphorism — you but fail if you don't attempt. Taking any spring, whether it's mastering a new skill, starting a new chore, or embarking on an exciting new take a chance, requires conviction.
You also turn 100 on August 29 — how will you lot mark the occasion?
People know glasses accept been a signature accessory of mine for a long, long fourth dimension, so in commemoration of my 100th yr effectually the lord's day, I found a fabulous eyewear brand to partner with. When I met Zenni and saw their glasses, I immediately savage in love. Zenni is almost everyone, regardless of background or historic period, finding their own personal style and having fun with eyewear, and I remember that's something to celebrate.
What do yous hope people accept away from your new glasses drove?
It'southward for anyone who strives to stand out from the crowd – and I retrieve that should be everyone. I hope information technology inspires others to embrace their true selves, have fun and take risks with their style choices. I didn't shy away from colour, like crimson and turquoise, and at that place are plenty of statement-making frames that will become you lot noticed! Ultimately, it celebrates self-expression and individuality, which I alive my ain life by.
What keeps you motivated to always be creating?
I've traveled the earth, which has always inspired my choices. In my designs, you'll see my dear for architecture, décor, and assuming colorways and patterns coming through. You'll fifty-fifty see design motifs fatigued from the treasures I've collected at bazaars and flea markets from effectually the globe. I proceed pushing myself creatively considering it keeps life fresh and fun, and information technology'southward good for me. I besides love every single mean solar day to be different — and that only happens when you lot say yep to opportunities, and keep experimenting and being curious.
Credit: Ruven Afanador for Zenni
Is at that place ane piece of way advice that you lot always follow?
Style is not about spending a lot of money. It's not about what or who you wear, only how y'all experience when wearing something. Don't be afraid to be assuming and try something new. Besides, an outfit isn't complete without a signature accessory — or many — to bear witness off your individuality. Mine are glasses. The bigger and brighter, the better!
What would you lot all the same like to accomplish?
I don't program to tedious down someday soon. I'k constantly looking for new ways to limited my personal style, improvise and take chances. This year I've unveiled new partnerships, so I can share my style with others, everything from home décor to eyewear, and there are more in the works! I plan to keep challenging myself and opening new doors in the years ahead.
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Out of everything yous have done, what are you proudest of?
In everything I've done, I've stayed true to myself. I chose to celebrate my individuality every day — and I think that'due south badass. I'm proud of my career and everything I've achieved, especially in my nineties, and I'thousand excited well-nigh what the future holds. Looking forward and all the same pursuing adventures at the age of 100? I think that'southward pretty badass too.
For more stories similar this, selection upwards the September 2021 result ofInStyle, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download now.
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