Fashion, Features, People & Parties, Social

Iris Apfel Celebrates her Birthday in Style

1757
Monday was a day to celebrate for icon Iris Apfel. The entrepreneur and fashion legend both turned 95 and launched her fashion collaboration with Macy’s in house brand, INC. While “fashionable” isn’t a term most people associate with women of a certain age, Apfel continually disproves stereotypes, pairing her stylish flatforms with her emblematic oversize glasses, a pile of jewelry and a cane.
Iris Apfel celebrates her birthday at the IRIS x INC debut with a cake her face in emoji form. Photography courtesy of BFA.

Iris Apfel celebrates her birthday at the IRIS x INC debut with a cake her face in emoji form. Photography courtesy of BFA.

Obviously influenced by her near-half-century as co-owner of her and her husband’s textiles firm, Old World Weavers, Iris x INC takes on the bold patterns and silhouettes of the 1960’s with that signature Iris Apfel over the top charm. As part of Macy’s campaign to reach out to younger shoppers, Apfel’s image as a 60’s icon(an era that has been experiencing a resurgence as of late) and her authority on the subject is a definite draw. But when asked what she thinks of the concept of dressing for your age she replied “I think that's stupid. I think [designers are] all entirely too youth-oriented. I think a lot of designers create very expensive clothes for women 60s and 70s — people who wear them — and they create them for 16- and 18-year-old bodies. The kids can't afford to buy them and the women look like a horse's ass if they put it on. So it's all out of whack."
Iris Apfel poses with her designs at the Iris X INC debut. Photography courtesy of BFA.

Iris Apfel poses with her designs at the Iris X INC debut. Photography courtesy of BFA.

And the collection is the best of both worlds. With accessible price points between $65 and $260 the high-end collection can be purchased on the tight budget of early adulthood, but with modest hemlines and a nostalgic vibe Iris x INC also appeals to and looks great on older women. It seems as though Apfel is encouraging women of all ages and walks of life to eschew the “dress your age” cliché. By Lindsay Cooper

Comments are off this post!