Iris Apfel: A cool 102-Year-Old Lady Who Lived Like a Style Queen

Apfel is now well-known for her varied fashion sense. She has such flare for coordinating layers of vivid colours, enormous glasses, and jewelry that The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art included her in a show from September 13, 2005, to January 22, 2006. Apfel debuted the show at the age of 84.

Together with her late husband Carl Apfel, Apfel founded and managed Old World Weavers, a global fabric production company, in 1950 before referring to herself as a “geriatric starlet” as a result of the Met display. At the time, the couple was newlywed, and they were married for 68 years. The husband-and-wife team ran Old World Weavers until 1992, during which time they provided services to nine White House administrations, from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton. According to Apfel in her book, she was dubbed “First Lady of Fabric” or “Our Lady of the Cloth” during her tenure at the White House.

After over a century in the industry, Apfel’s words of wisdom about ageing, individuality, and success are still valuable to read, even if you have no interest in bright, daring fashion. These are Apfel’s ten success secrets, as detailed in her most recent book:

1. Don’t let your age consume you

“I don’t ever consider my age. That might be the solution. It’s a fleeting concept that I seldom give much thought to. It’s only a figure. Working is incredibly healthy for me, I’ve discovered. She states, “I put my heart and soul into what I do because I love it.”

2. Choose a companion who gives you joy when you succeed.

Apfel describes Carl, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 100, as “everyone he ever touched knows he was truly a gentleman.” “His generosity and sense of humour were legendary.” Nearly everything was done in tandem with us. This book is a result of his encouragement and steadfast support. He thrust me into the spotlight and then took pleasure in my accomplishments. The praise I received thrilled him far more than it did me. I really, really miss him. Rest well, my dear prince.

3. Take action when something thrills you.

“I never thought my name or face would be recognised by so many people. I never thought I’d be referred to as a fashion icon. I never thought my clothes and accessories would be on display in museums. I never thought that I would be the face of a cosmetics firm and a cover lady in my nineties. Apfel pens. “I had no expectations at all. I just act on gut instinct and intuition. I act on anything that piques my attention and I find intriguing; I worry about it afterwards. It takes a lot of strength and energy to try new things.

4. “You have to think young in order to stay young.”

“As you age, odds are that if you have two things, one of them will hurt when you get up in the morning, to quote an old family friend. However, you have to get up and go past the discomfort. You have to think young if you want to stay youthful. Sensations of amazement, humour, and curiosity are what she refers to as her “tonic.”

5. Put your own viewpoint ahead of everyone else’s

“My goal was never to blend in. I didn’t intentionally set out to be a rebel or engage in activities that were taboo; regrettably, I had to learn how to play bridge when I was younger. Rather, I discovered early on that in order to be happy, I needed to be true to myself.

6. However, don’t withdraw either

This is crucial: I understand that I am part of the larger picture, to use a line from poet, Mr. John Donne. Though in my own unique manner. I believe I’ve been doing something right since I’ve never been much of a conformist on any front and it hasn’t hurt me in my ninety-odd years. But forget it if you don’t make an effort to participate. That’s when your uniqueness will come back to haunt you. First, blend in, and then make a move.

7. Success is not a product of money

Being content, in love, surrounded by kind people, doing what you enjoy, and giving back to the community are all characteristics of success. According to Apfel, the true cost of selling your soul for a dollar is not worth it.

8. Style has nothing to do with money.

“Costume is not the definition of style. You can be extremely wealthy and completely lacking in style. You can appear like a Christmas tree by dressing in the newest couture, wearing shoes for ten thousand dollars, and accessorising to the hilt. “Your style matters more than what you wear.”

9. Take one modest step towards new endeavours.

According to Apfel, “You only fail if you do not try.”

“I never believed that being a woman would prevent me from accomplishing my goals. I merely worked out how to establish a fabric business because that was my desire. Had I given Old World Weavers too much attention, I doubt that I would have followed through on my dream. Sometimes it’s necessary to just do something, even if it’s just a small step.

10. Don’t act younger than you actually are.

The presence of wrinkles is very normal. You’re not fooling anyone when you try to seem years younger when you’re older. Nobody will believe you are thirty when you get a facelift at seventy-five years old, the woman claims.At the age of 102, Iris Apfel, a well-known fashion icon and interior decorator who contributed to the White House’s restoration under nine presidents, passed away on Friday.

Lori Sale, a representative of a talent agency, confirmed her death. She stated that Apfel passed away at home in Palm Beach.

An exquisitely attired Apfel was featured on her Instagram account along with the caption, “August 29, 1921—March 1, 2024.”