OCEANS OF STYLE
Iris Apfel is crossing the Atlantic in grand fashion, writes Beth J Harpaz.
The Queen Mary 2 is offering a fashionthemed trans-Atlantic crossing with a celebrity guest who is practically fashion royalty herself: 95-yearold Iris Apfel.
The inimitable Apfel is known for her irreverent style mixing haute couture with oversized costume jewellery and her trademark large round glasses. She’s been the subject of museum exhibits and a documentary, Iris, that will be screened during the trip.
The trans-Atlantic trip on the QM2 — which recently underwent a US$132 million renovation — departs Southampton, England, on August 31 and arrives in New York on September 7 in time for New York Fashion Week.
Apfel will host a Q&A on board and is looking forward to the journey. “I’ve lived quite a life of fashion and can’t wait to experience style at sea. I look forward to being inspired by the elegance and glamour of the occasion, especially the formal nights on my voyage across the Atlantic.” Passengers might not get any style tips from the fashion doyenne however. “Everybody should find her own way,” she said. “I’m a great one for individuality. I don’t like trends. If you get to learn who you are and what you look like and what you can handle, you’ll know what to do.”
The trip will also include runway shows and other guests from the world of fashion including designer Julien Macdonald, industry consultant Gail Sackloff and fashion historian Colin McDowell, along with models.
The cruise is part of Cunard’s Insights programme, where passengers get the opportunity to learn first-hand from experts while at sea.
“It was a natural fit to merge fashion with luxury travel to create the Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing as it aligns perfectly with the interests of our guests. Iris Apfel is a style icon, a constant in the ever-changing fashion world who rises above the trends,” Josh Leibowitz, Senior Vice-President, Cunard North America, told
Conde Nast Traveler. “At 95, she is still at the top of her game and we are beyond thrilled to have her be part of this.”
Apfel’s favourite contemporary designers include Ralph Rucci, Isabel Toledo and Naeem Khan, but she’s not looking to add to her closets. “I have so much, I don’t go looking,” she said. Apfel began donating pieces to the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, after it hosted an exhibit about her several years ago.
So, what’s Apfel's secret for a long and happy life?
“I have no secrets, I have no advice, except to love life and not give in to yourself,” she said. “At a certain age, you have to push a bit to be honest. Unless you have pneumonia or a broken hip and you can’t push yourself, you really have to. Once you do you’ll find there’s a lot out there and you won’t think of yourself.
"Get out and help somebody. Life is wonderful and it doesn’t last too long, so you might as well enjoy.”