IRIS ACCORDING TO
The chicest ninetysomething we know, businesswoman, designer, and fashion icon Iris Apfel shares her fashion edicts
What I like most about fashion: What I don’t like about fashion is when it’s too dictatorial. Everything is not for everybody. I don’t like to be trendy; I don’t get crazy with what’s in or out.
What ages a woman: Trying to look younger. You just end up looking foolish. You have to dress age-appropriate, and this goes for everyone. I think it’s terrible when women over a certain age show their arms, even if you’re athletic. Your arms don’t look good when you’re older. And a 70-year-old’s knees aren’t pretty. Also, long hair pulls a face down. And you shouldn’t be dressing up like a powder puff when you’re older. Of course, I’m all for being happy. Would I rather dress badly or be happy? I’d rather be happy.
What’s wrong with fashion today: Since I became a geriatric starlet, women are always asking me, “What should I wear?” Honestly, women today take dressing way too seriously. Fashion shouldn’t get to a point where it makes you unhappy. Because when you’re unhappy, you look older. I do not intellectualise what I wear. I just put on what I feel like. People see me and say, “Ooooh,” but I think it’s a crock.
Trend I like the least: I am upset with the way young women affect a ‘messed-up’ look these days. When I was young, we liked to look pretty. Not that I ever slavingly tried to dress like anyone else.
Looks good no matter what your age: If your hair is done properly and you have good shoes on, you can get away with anything. That, and a good attitude. All the plastic surgery in the world isn’t going to help if you’re unhappy.
Style is: Knowing who you are. Someone told me a good definition recently. They said, “Real style is having a deep curiosity about yourself.” And attitude, attitude, attitude!
Good taste is: Very nice, but then you can have too much good taste and you end up looking square and uptight. It’s okay to be a little off—I mean, you don’t want to have any whoppers when it comes to bad taste, but looking perfect is not real.
A perfect accessory is: I’m a believer in accessories. I like architectural clothes and changing my look with jewellery.
I never leave home without: My eyeglasses, because I would probably fall down the stairs. But eyeglasses have become very high fashion these days. You can really change up your look with them.
Designers I love: I always love Ralph Rucci. And Naeem Khan does
spectacular runway shows. Dolce & Gabbana is not for me, but sometimes they have amazing things.
My uniform: For day, I live in jeans. I have so many, from the lowliest to the most fabulous. I think I was one of the first women to wear jeans; I had to fight to buy them once at an armynavy store. Jeans are very basic, so you can be creative with the rest. I also have spectacular black-tie jeans. I like simple, dramatic clothes. A little sense of drama is good.
Do I believe in making fashion mistakes? Why not? The fashion police are not going to pull you over and put you in jail! Sometimes it’s good, because your friends see you the day after and say, “Oh, you look so much better!”
First record bought: Jazz. I have a long history with jazz. I became a friend of Duke Ellington’s—it was fabulous.
Favourite book: I don’t have that kind of mentality. Picking my favourite book is like someone asking, “Pick your favourite child.” I do love poetry, especially TS Eliot. I recite The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock to myself often.
Fantasy duet partner: I don’t have fantasies. I think my life is like a fantasy.
Most proud of: I’m proud that I’ve been able to have so many different careers, and at 91, I’m still doing new things: I have a collection of eyeglasses for Eyebobs and a line of handbags, shoes, and jewellery for HSN. I’m always trying to teach women not to roll up in a little ball when they’re a certain age. And in March, my husband and I celebrated our 65th anniversary. Favourite show: I just became addicted to Downton Abbey. Most overrated: Don’t get me started! The overstressing of technology is dehumanising. People are always pressing too many buttons. Beauty or brains: Oh, brains any day!
Who would play me in a movie: I wouldn’t want anyone to play me in a movie. They’d make me into a howling caricature!
Favourite hour of the day: I’m a night person. All my apartments are night apartments, as I’m out running around during the day.
Dream lunch date: I’m not a lady who lunches. I’ve always brownbagged it unless it was a client lunch.
Signature dance: I like cheek-to-cheek dancing. My husband and I used to dance the rumba. Sometimes I put on jazz records and dance by myself.