The acclaimed documentary, Iris, is a must see for all you readers
out there who are clothes horses and accessory aficionados, like me. Part
performance artist/fashion icon/designer and stylist, Iris Apfel is a cultural phenomenon
who came to fame as an octogenarian, identified by her unique combination of
short white hair, large black-rimmed glasses, and eccentric attire. She is a
national treasure with adoring fans from all ages, despite being over ninety
years old.
Iris became a public persona
in 2005, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York needed a quick substitute
for a cancelled event. Through word of mouth, the directors discovered Iris and
decided to feature her vast collection of couture clothing and jewelry as a
one-woman-show. The rest is history; the show was a sensation and catapulted her
to the position of fashion royalty. Bergdorf’s featured her in their 5th
Avenue window, Filene’s had her presenting personal style makeovers, Martha
Stewart hosted her on TV, and FIT (the Fashion Institute of Technology) had her
teaching a highly sought after class of ambitions fashion students. In addition
to the watches, jewelry, scarves, and personally designed smoking slippers sold
on Home Shopping Network, even party stores sell Iris Halloween costumes for
little girls. As of this publication, VOGUE magazine is featuring her latest
exhibition at Le Bon Marche in Paris. It seems that the fashion world cannot
get enough of Iris Apfel.
Surprisingly, this film has
become one of my favorite feel-good flicks that encourages and inspires. There
are two endearing themes that run through the story, the first being a classic
underdog tale of a not-so-pretty girl with great style who emerged over the
decades as one of the matriarchs of fashion and design. Iris tells the story of
how she began her life many years ago as an interior designer for the New York
elite, eventually landing a position as a White House decorator for several
presidents. Over the years, her collection of furniture, clothing, jewelry, and
fabrics has grown so large that numerous closets, rooms, additional apartments,
and even designated storage facilities cannot contain the wonderful treasures
gathered from Europe and all over the globe.
I loved watching Iris dress
and put outfits together. Her clothes include designer originals, as well as
shaman robes, African shepherd’s tunics, and even boy’s jeans. She accessorizes
everything to the hilt, sometimes adding a million beads and five hundred
bracelets (an exaggeration, of course), combining garage sale finds with
couture collectibles that look fantastic together. Her most unique touch (other
than the large black glasses) is layering necklaces in such a way that they
appear as one seamless work of art. For the simple in style, her look will
appear garish, but for someone like me, it is wonderful. For those of us who
are inspired by Iris, the concept of “less is more” does not exist!
I also enjoyed watching Iris
shop for hidden treasures. Her haunts include outdoor bazaars, specialty shops
in Harlem, and the finest stores in New York. In addition, her witty quips and words
of wisdom are more valuable than the baubles that adorn her frame; she eschews
plastic surgery and has no time for “pretty.” To Iris Apfel, pretty only lasts
a few years, but a unique STYLE lasts a lifetime.
The other endearing theme in
the film is the great romance with her husband of over seventy years, Carl. Even
as an elderly couple, they are as sweet as can be, still holding hands in the
car, singing to each other, joking, and looking into each other’s eyes with
affection. The beauty of their relationship is the support he gave her over the
years to develop into an unusual artist. He allows her to dress him in paisley
trousers, pink baseball caps, and animal print spectacles. But he doesn’t seem
to mind. He adores everything about her, hangs on her every word, and watches
her move about their palatial New York apartment filled with all sorts of
collectibles. It touched my heart to hear him say that he always loved watching
Iris take something old, plain, or discarded and turn it into something beautiful.
I believe every serious artist (including writers) needs a Carl in their lives.
Sadly, he passed away in 2015, but at the ripe ole age of over a hundred years
old!
Iris Apfel is a true inspiration
for any artist endeavoring to push the boundaries of what is considered
acceptable by the gatekeepers of the creative realm in which that artist
operates. For a Christian writer, like me, her story encourages me to write
what the Holy Spirit inspires without sacrificing character or plot to fit a
plethora of man-made rules. The same would be true for any other creative
person who feels constrained by what the world says is valuable.
Let Iris’s wonderful journey be a lesson to us
all to be ourselves, pursue truth and excellence, and to never give up! It is
never too late for those with a vision in their mind and a dream in their heart
to see it manifested in all of its glory!
