Iris Apfel - The Clothes

I had several emails with questions about who designed the various garments in the Iris Apfel exhibit photos from yesterday. As a follow-up, here are the details about the clothes for you. Apfel is lucky enough to wear a sample size, and many of her haute couture garments were bought at sample sales and at fashion treasure shops like the original Loehman's in Brooklyn. She also shops flea markets and vintage stores around the world, where she finds much of her jewelry and accessories. Click the photos for larger views.

Jacket - Oscar de la Renta c. 2000 - Patchwork of silk faille, silk damask, and cotton velvet with silk and gold metal embroidery
Necklaces - Angela Caputi c. 2001 - Acrylic and metal
Boots - Kenzo c. 1990 - Taupe suede

Tunic - Gianfranco Ferré c. 1994 - Brown nutria and wool knit
Pants - Unknown c. 1990s - Brown and grey wool tweed with self-fabric crochet cuffs.
Necklaces - European c. late 1970s - Baltic amber and silver
Bracelets - All 20th century - Wood, amber, and acrylic
Ring - European c. 1990 - Baltic amber and wood

Coat - Flea market find - antique British paisley wool shawls
Carrying Case - Tibetan c. late 19th century - Silver, copper, amber, coral, and turquoise
Purse - French c. late 19th century - Paisley wool shawl and hammered silver amalgam
Brooch - Turkish c. early 20th century - Converted metal belt buckle with turquoise and amber glass
Necklaces - American flea market finds, 2003 - Mahogany beads
Boots - Designed by Iris Apfel, made by Canfora c. 1970s - Antique paisley wool shawls and leather

Coat - Emanuel Ungaro c. 2000 - Ombré pink and light pink striped clipped rabbit fur, unlined.
Pants - Emanuel Ungaro c. 1999 - Dark pink velvet with resist-printed light pink polka dots.
Brooch - American c. 1983 - Pink acrylic and blue rhinestones
Shoes - Kate Spade c. 2002 - Pink silk satin

Poncho - Italian, 1980s - Red Persian lamb and rabbit fur pile with brown leather lining
Pants - Christian Dior Haute Couture c. 2002 - ivory cotton twill with wolf fur trim
Belt - Unknown tribal piece, mid 20th century - red cotton velvet with applied shells

Brooch - Iradj Moini c. 1990 - Pink, blue, and green glass with rhinestones and metal.

Jacket - Lanvin Haute Couture c. 1989
Jewelry and Belt - All pieces are silver and turquoise by Indigenous Americans (Navajo and Pueblo peoples) dating from the 1940s - 1970s.

Evening coat - Koos van den Akker, 1983 - Crushed black cotton velvet with multicolored metallic appliques and gilt braid trim.
Mask - Venetian, late 20th century

Evening Coat - Antonio del Castillo Haute Couture c. 1961 - Gold lamé ribbon applique on gold Mylar with paillettes, beads, and rhinestones
Necklaces - Tibetan c. early 20th century - Amber, turquoise, and silver
Bracelets - Unknown c. 1950s - 1970s - Topaz, glass, metal, green glass, topaz rhinestones, gilt metal
Cuff Bracelet - Thierry Mugler c. 1990 - Gilt metal and topaz rhinestones
Gloves - American c. 2000 - Gilt Lycra
Booted trousers - Anne Klein c. mid 1980s - Green stretch panné velvet and gold metallic leather.

Lessons from Iris Apfel

Last week, I went to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA to see the exhibit "Rare Bird of Fashion - The Irreverent Iris Apfel" for the second time. I had gone to see it a few months ago with several friends and loved it. This time, I went alone and had a completely different experience. The first time around, I studied the pages of the exhibit handbook to see who had designed each piece of clothing, how old the garments were, and where they had come from. This time, I left the exhibit handbook in the rack, and just looked, absorbed, and became enveloped by the feelings, the colors, and the textures of Iris's wardrobe. I purposely went early and the galleries were almost empty. That allowed me to truly connect with her philosophy of fashion, and I learned a lot. The following are images from the book that accompanies the exhibit,"Rare Bird of Fashion" by Eric Boman. The quotes are Apfel's own.

"Style is integral. It's something that's you."

"You have to study yourself, learn who you are. That requires some work."

"You can copy someone else's style, but it won't be yours."

"I just mix and put things together the way the spirit moves me."

"The fun of getting dressed is it's a creative experience."

"I love accessories. For me, they are the most important part of my wardrobe."

"Given the choice, I would spend my money on accessories."

"You only have one trip. You might as well enjoy it."

I say, dress to please yourself. Listen to your inner muse and take a chance. Wear something that says "Here I am!" today.

Iris Apfel - Rare Bird of Fashion Exhibit

"The fun of getting dressed is, it's a creative experience." - Iris Apfel



“Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel" opens at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA on October 17 and runs through February 7, 2010. We don't get very many fashion exhibits in the Boston area, and I am thrilled that this one is so close to me. If you've never visited the Peabody Essex, it is a beautiful gem of a museum about 45 minutes north of Boston and is well worth a visit. This morning's Boston Globe has a fun article about Apfel and the exhibit.

"You only have one trip, you might as well enjoy it!"