Fashion Inspiration: IRIS APFEL – MAXIMALISM

In June you had the chance to see an installation called AGE IS JUST A NUMBER at the Galéria shopping centre, where we presented five influencers over 50 whose approach shows that we have reached the threshold of an era in which the way we dress is no longer about age, but rather about mindset, status, or the occasion we are dressing for. One of them is Iris Apfel.

Iris Apfel, an American of Jewish descent, to whom we said a final farewell this March at the incredible age of 102, was known for her flamboyant style, outgoing personality and enormous glasses. Although she grew up on a farm, even as a child she often took the subway into the city to explore Manhattan, where she shopped in antique stores. It was here that she laid the foundations of her extraordinary jewellery collection, which became her lifelong passion.

In her native New York, Iris studied art history. After graduating she worked as an advertising copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily and furnished apartments for sale, honing her talent for finding unusual objects. After marrying Carl Apfel, the couple ran a textile business together for many years, with clients including the White House. She only came to public attention in retirement, when in 2005 she presented her costume jewellery collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, complemented by clothing chosen according to her exceptional taste. Iris became a fashion icon. In 2014 Albert Maysles made the documentary IRIS about her, and in 2019 (at the age of 97) she signed a modelling contract with IMG.

“Great personal style is the result of exceptional self-knowledge. When you look in the mirror, you should see yourself, no one else.” – Iris Apfel (1921 – 2024, entrepreneur, interior designer, fashion designer and model)

For Iris, more was simply more – huge owl-like glasses, vibrant boas, unconventional combinations of patterns, chunky bangles… Whether she was furnishing interiors or building her wardrobe, her refined eye was never drawn to the most expensive things, but to the most striking ones. “Life is very grey, so fashion should always be fun. I don’t buy things that don’t really delight me.” The ability to amuse was just as important to Iris as the function of things, and she considered jewellery to be absolutely essential. “In my view, it has an incredible power to change the look of an entire outfit. You can take the same outfit from morning right through to evening cocktails simply by changing your accessories and jewellery,” she used to say

For the mannequin inspired by fashion icon Iris Apfel, we chose from the stores at the Galéria shopping centre: Trousers, cardigan and blouse Betty Barclay, shoes CCC, handbag Orsay, scarf Betty Barclay, necklace Street

Styling tip: Don’t take yourself too seriously – find out more on our Instagram @ocgaleriamartin

prepared by: Jana Bíziková and Ľubica Kmeť Jakušová