Known for her ‘more is more’ approach to getting dressed, Iris Apfel is a true fashion icon. Born in Queens, New York, in 1921, she started her extraordinary collection of jewellery as a child, exploring the antique shops of Greenwich Village. Her career has encompassed writing, interior design and running the textile firm Old World Weavers, which she founded with her husband Carl.
She is the oldest person to have a Barbie doll created in her image and in 2005, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated an exhibition to her style, which went on to tour museums around the United States.
Today, aged 101, she is as creative and productive as ever, and has collaborated with Ruggable on a colourful collection of rugs and mats featuring an eclectic selection of her favourite motifs, from tropical birds to exotic insects, vintage 1970s paisley prints, folk ikat motifs and needlepoint designs. The Iris Apfel collection for Ruggable starts from £89. ruggable.co.uk
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The first classical music I loved was the work of the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. His orchestral pieces are so architectural and expansive.
My favourite films are the 1950s classics Gigi, Sabrina and Some Like It Hot – [the latter two] both by the director Billy Wilder. Then there’s also Prizzi’s Honor, from 1985, starring Anjelica Huston and Jack Nicholson – that’s also brilliant.
I spend far too much time worrying whether I’m going to get everything done on time and that I can stay professional. You worry about different things as you age.
My best-loved quote is ‘Common sense is not common anymore’.
The best hotel room in the world is at The Ritz Paris. When it comes to hotels, timeless glamour cannot be beaten.
My favourite gallery is The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: cleverly curated exhibitions and a permanent collection of true masterpieces – what’s not to love?
The best exhibition I’ve ever seen was ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ at The Met, which was stupendous. He was a true fashion genius. Also, seeing my show at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, was one of the proudest moments of my life.
I collect... everything that isn’t nailed down.
If I won the lottery, I’d go on another shopping spree.
My favourite places in the world are the vibrant cities New York, London and Paris. Then there are the places I go to truly escape: Palm Beach, Umbria and Tuscany.
For a great meal, I love anything made by superstar chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Wolfgang Puck.
If I could have designed anything, it would have been the egg and the cross. They’re the two most perfect designs in existence.
If I could bring back one trend, it would be a trendless world.
