Channelling the grande dame of American fashion: Iris Apfel, 88, to launch jewellery line for HSN
By Tamara Abraham
Iris Apfel's unique eccentric style has made her a style icon for decades. Now the veteran interior designer is finally giving other women the chance to channel her look.The 88-year-old, whose wardrobe was the subject of an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005, has announced the launch of her first jewellery collection.
Rara Avis by Iris Apfel, which will go on sale via the Home Style Network in September, will comprise of 13 pieces, costing from $20 up to $180.
It promises to fuse both modern and vintage looks in bright colours, using varied materials such as lucite, mixed metals and beading.
Despite her legendary reputation for style, the jewellery line is a first for Mrs Apfel, who has never designed a fashion collection before.
She told WWD today why she decided to take the plunge, and the reason HSN was the perfect partner.
She said: 'HSN has a proven track record to reproduce museum-quality jewelry and accessories at an affordable price, which allows me to bring my passion for the stylishly off-beat to the general public.
'I have amassed an enormous collection of bags, belts, bangles and beads without which I would be lost.
One can change the entire look of an outfit by substituting one accessory for another. I love objects from different worlds, different eras, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving - hopefully - a kind of throwaway chic.'
In an interview with Architectural Digest this month, Mrs Apfel discussed her unconventional approach to style, and revealed why she prefers fake jewels to the real thing.
'My husband, Carl, is a very lucky man,' she said. 'Diamond necklaces don’t appeal to me at all. I prefer fun jewelry with big stones - so large they would be untouchable if they were real.
'Now, don’t get me wrong. I do appreciate Daddy Warbucks-size stones, like a big, flawed emerald. I love stones that are inherently flawed: rock crystal, turquoise with big veins.
'It’s like Rodin once said, “More beautiful than a beautiful thing is the ruin of a beautiful thing.” I think that’s a great observation, and most of the time so very true.'
She couldn't explain why she had waited so long to create her first collection, but spoke at length about her own creative instinct.
'All my life I’ve done that, made things or had things made, both clothes and jewelry,' she explained.
'I used to take those beige cardboard tubes that are used for masking tape and draw designs on them with black pens and wear them as bracelets. I have a whole collection of those. You can make all kinds of wonderful stuff. All you need is a little imagination.
'I don’t know what happens to people’s imaginations. We have it when we’re young, but so many lose it when we grow up.'
Mrs Apfel, whose work has counted restoration projects for nine different U.S. presidents at the White House, founded Old World Weavers with her husband Carl.
Her stints at WWD magazine, with interior designer Elinor Johnson, and as assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman have made her an authority on style. (source dailymail.co.uk)
By Tamara Abraham
Iris Apfel's unique eccentric style has made her a style icon for decades. Now the veteran interior designer is finally giving other women the chance to channel her look.The 88-year-old, whose wardrobe was the subject of an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005, has announced the launch of her first jewellery collection.
Rara Avis by Iris Apfel, which will go on sale via the Home Style Network in September, will comprise of 13 pieces, costing from $20 up to $180.
It promises to fuse both modern and vintage looks in bright colours, using varied materials such as lucite, mixed metals and beading.
Despite her legendary reputation for style, the jewellery line is a first for Mrs Apfel, who has never designed a fashion collection before.
She told WWD today why she decided to take the plunge, and the reason HSN was the perfect partner.
She said: 'HSN has a proven track record to reproduce museum-quality jewelry and accessories at an affordable price, which allows me to bring my passion for the stylishly off-beat to the general public.
'I have amassed an enormous collection of bags, belts, bangles and beads without which I would be lost.
One can change the entire look of an outfit by substituting one accessory for another. I love objects from different worlds, different eras, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving - hopefully - a kind of throwaway chic.'
In an interview with Architectural Digest this month, Mrs Apfel discussed her unconventional approach to style, and revealed why she prefers fake jewels to the real thing.
'My husband, Carl, is a very lucky man,' she said. 'Diamond necklaces don’t appeal to me at all. I prefer fun jewelry with big stones - so large they would be untouchable if they were real.
'Now, don’t get me wrong. I do appreciate Daddy Warbucks-size stones, like a big, flawed emerald. I love stones that are inherently flawed: rock crystal, turquoise with big veins.
'It’s like Rodin once said, “More beautiful than a beautiful thing is the ruin of a beautiful thing.” I think that’s a great observation, and most of the time so very true.'
She couldn't explain why she had waited so long to create her first collection, but spoke at length about her own creative instinct.
'All my life I’ve done that, made things or had things made, both clothes and jewelry,' she explained.
'I used to take those beige cardboard tubes that are used for masking tape and draw designs on them with black pens and wear them as bracelets. I have a whole collection of those. You can make all kinds of wonderful stuff. All you need is a little imagination.
'I don’t know what happens to people’s imaginations. We have it when we’re young, but so many lose it when we grow up.'
Mrs Apfel, whose work has counted restoration projects for nine different U.S. presidents at the White House, founded Old World Weavers with her husband Carl.
Her stints at WWD magazine, with interior designer Elinor Johnson, and as assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman have made her an authority on style. (source dailymail.co.uk)
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