“Iris in Paris”: An Age In The Making

Our leading ambassador for fashion and style, Iris Apfel, has announced the “Iris in Paris” exhibition to be held from 27th February to 26th March.

Photographed by Bruce Weber for Vogue Italia, 2007.
Photographed by Bruce Weber for Vogue Italia, 2007.

At 94 years old, the beloved fashion icon is well renowned as New York’s “rare bird of fashion”. Apfel is regarded as an inspiring and eccentric fashion legend, decked in flamboyant fashion and her signature large rounded glasses. The fashion superstar will be hosting her own exhibition at Le Bon Marché, a department store lying in the heart of Paris.

Iris Apfel began her career in the fashion industry, way back in the 1940s, as a copy girl at Women’s Wear Daily. As she progressed in the interior design industry, she became recognised within the fields of textiles and fashion through the way she dressed and her eccentric attitude towards style itself.

 

 

Apfel’s reputation already earned her an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005. ‘Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection‘, was an exhibition of accessories and fashion, exploring the affinity between fashion and accessory design. The exhibition was then explored further in her documentary, ‘Iris’:

“A delightful eye-opener about life, love, statement eyeglasses, bracelets the size of tricycle tires and the art of making the grandest of entrances” – Manohla Dargis (New York Times).

Star of the show: a scene from the film Iris, directed By Albert Maysles. Photograph: Allstar/Magnolia Pictures
Star of the show: a scene from the film Iris, directed By Albert Maysles. Photograph: Allstar/Magnolia Pictures

 

With emphasis on purpose, Apfel has produced a collection focusing on the “ideal day in the French Capital.” The capsule collection will be produced in collaboration with a series of brands, and featured in window displays as well as a pop-up store showcasing her work. We can expect to see a number of her own works, including the Mongolian wool scarf, as well as limited edition items like notebooks and a scarf.

What seems to be producing the most amount of hype, is the large cabinet windows, which will be showcasing 10 outfits put together by Iris, for various daily activities.

Iris Apfel herself is expected to be at the launch event on the 2nd March, coinciding with Paris Fashion Week. The former interior designer hopes to encourage those who attend, to branch out of their comfort zone and change this idea of fashion conformity and expectations.