The “geriatric starlet” who proved style has no age limit.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 15 November 2026
Who was Iris Apfel?
A New York interior designer who, with her husband Carl, ran the textile company Old World Weavers from 1950, reproducing historic fabrics and working on restorations at the White House for several presidents. She was famous in design circles long before fashion discovered her. She died in March 2024 at 102.
How did she become a fashion icon?
In 2005 the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute staged Rara Avis (“rare bird”), an exhibition of her own wardrobe, styled exactly as she wore it. It was a surprise hit. In her eighties and nineties she modelled for campaigns, designed collections, starred in Albert Maysles’ documentary Iris (2014) and was even made into a Barbie.
What was her look?
Maximalism with a curator’s eye: giant round black glasses, stacks of bangles and chunky necklaces, bold prints and textiles from flea markets around the world mixed with couture. Her motto was that more is more and less is a bore. She cared less about labels than about whether pieces were interesting.
What can we learn from her?
That personal style is built over a lifetime, not bought in a season; that ageing does not mean dressing quietly; and that mixing price points, eras and cultures is a skill. She is the patron saint of anyone who loves a little bad taste.
Read on Ayerhs: The Beauty of Bad Taste · Personal Branding vs Personal Style · The Great Fashion Exhibitions