Colorful: Inspiration, Influences, and Ideas for a Vibrant Life

by Iris Apfel

Iris Apfel’s legacy29 August 1921 to 1 March 2024.In the summer of 2023, as Iris Apfel welcomed her 102nd birthday, she put pen to paper to write this very special what Iris called her legacy book.Comprising of over 300 personal photos and adorned with beautiful, unseen fabric patterns from her Old World Weaver’s collection, Iris’s incredible energy radiates from every page. Here she shares her creative work, life stories, adventures, and her unwavering belief in the essential power of colour and creativity on a life well lived.'It has been an honour to know and to learn from Iris.' Ruvén Afanador'A force of nature.' Tommy Hilfiger'One of the industry’s oldest tastemakers.' VogueThis is not a book of secrets – I have no secrets. Sorry to disappoint if that’s what you’re looking for. I have some good stories though. And a few ideas. This book is about living, creating and colour. Because creativity and colour matter. I don’t want you to dress like me or think like me – that’s not the idea of this book. I want you to find the colours, confidence and creative inspiration that reflect you. My life has been filled with love, wonder and a very deep, incurable curiosity. This book is my treasure trove of inspiration, influences and My source. Be brave. Find your source. What makes you happy?Much love, Iris x

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Memoir, Art, Design, Biography, Photography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee table book is a visual feast. Iris Apfel was a creative force, a true sartorial inspiration. Her story about Duke Ellington is not to be missed!

Note: Apfel writes from a very privileged and, at times, conservative lens. Her life advice should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Mai M Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

ايريس شخصية ملهمة ومبهجة وبحس حياتها ولبسها هي تغذية بصرية لأي فنان أو مصمم جرافيك زيي

كنت شوفت لها فيلم وثائقي من سنتين مثلًا وبعدين جبت كتاب عنها ولما لقيتها نزلت الكتاب ده كمان اتبسطت اوي

الكتاب مبهج جدًا علشان كده قولت لازم أصوره علشان أي فنان/مصمم ياخد منه افكار/تغذية بصرية

الله يرحمها .. اتوفت السنة اللي فاتت .. كان عندها ١٠٢ سنة

هنزل الفيديو ع قناة جرافيميديا ع اليوتيوب قريب اوي 👇
@graphimedia.workshops

عامة بصور اللي بقرأه ع انستجرام 👇
@mai.designer92

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris Apfel's Colorful is a blast of color and creativity. I felt I was sharing a combination scrapbook and journal. A visual and philosophical journey. A truly unique and intimate glimpse into living past 100 and being vital until the end. Iris's life has been a media presence and even museum exhibits. Her oversize glasses and vibrant, extensive wardrobe are only the most visible part of her life. She sums up the rest, "I've had all these opportunities at this stage in life: designing, modeling, speaking, teaching, traveling." She urges people to live fully and connect with world, to "go confidently and with authenticity." I borrowed this beautiful book from my library, but I hope it ends up as one of my holiday gifts this year. Read this book and put some color and positivity in your life.

[Ann Ried · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting about an interesting person who lived her own life!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. So much glorious color! It was total eye candy for me. There are lots of fun Iris-isms, advice about life and quips about style. The stories themselves meander and feel all over the place sometimes. But I got it for the color, and it totally delivered.

[Edie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone once told a young Iris, “You’ll never be pretty, but you have something better. You have style,”. No truer words were ever spoken!

She calls it, “controlled Baroque”. She also says “More is more and less is a bore”. Welcome to Iris land.

I’ve already read a lot about Iris Arfel. She had a bold and lovely life which lasted until she was 102 (her beloved husband died a few weeks shy of 100). In this book we are privy to her theories and philosophies. We view what she wears and how she wears it.

The pages, like their subject, are very colorful. As you read (and observe) Iris loves color. You can see this in the choices of the book. Every aspect of the graphic design jumps right at you just as it should. Even the fonts are carefully chosen to express her exuberance.

Her creations could never be copied. Don’t even try. They were too personal. Iris expressed herself in her glorious outfits. She exuded individuality:

“Wear whatever you please! Remember, when you don’t dress like everybody else you don’t have to think like everybody else.”

Iris also says, “What’s the most important thing about an outfit? I believe it’s the person inside.”

I’d call this a fun book with lots of good advice. It would make a wonderful present.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious romp of color. I have spent the last three weeks with a bright pain palette and when I saw this book, I grabbed it to put brightness in my eyes and heart while I take this class. "No," I said to the teacher, "I really can't stand that yellow and orange. They're for flowers, not me."

Iris has just convinced me I should given those two colors another chance.

Two quotes that made me laugh on technology and aging.

When people ask for my email address I say,
"Darling, send a pigeon." People go through all kinds of shenanigans to find me, sometimes-but the ones who do get through, I know they're serious. It can make them a bit grumpy. But c'est la vie."

"'Baby, you're the only one here with your own face.' To me, wrinkles are a badge of courage...Why try to hide the years you've been lucky to live."

[jimtown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun share from the iconic Iris Apfel. I'd recently read her Accidental Icon and there was a little bit of repeat on her favorite life stories but all new photos, most done in a pleasing scrapbook style with her fabrics and textures.

Colorful describes Iris to a T. She was a world traveler and talks some about her trips to Italy and France and other exotic places but not excessively so. She seemed like she was a sensible but fun woman. Kind of matched her outfits.

The photos alone are worth a look at this book.

[Garance J. Bonadonna (The Nerdy Artivist) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful.
I'm not that much into fashion, my mom is. But this woman is not just fashion. She's a pure lifestyle. She is unapologetic. She is fucking colourful. She's unique. And I want to be like her when I grow up.

The book in itself is a piece of art. It reads fast, but you take it slow to really enjoy the detailed and wonderful pictures.
So worth it.

Highly recommend. It's for everyone. It's a way to live. It's happiness. It's everything you want.

[Montserrat Puñet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaig comprar aquest llibre encisada per la seva autora, la Iris Apfel, una dissenyadora d'interiors que va viure una vida de colors. Ara bé, també hi ha la incongruència de llegir el que seria un llibre autobiogràfic i acabar sense conèixer res d'ella que sigui "real". No dic que el llibre conti una història fictícia, però sí molt superficial, és com un llibre de mr wonderful. Això sí, la maquetació és impecable. Un tresor si ets aficionat a la moda i al disseny.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've seen Iris Apfel once you would never forget her. I was not familiar with the name but I'm sure I've seen her before. This book caught my eye because it is as colorful as she is. Full of beautiful pictures and wisdom from Iris, she tells her life story and what a wonderful life she has had. Iris passed away in March. She was one of a kind.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Color maven Apfel writes an autobiography through the lens of her creative design lifestyle. The text might only take a few hours to read in all, but please stop and pour over all of the pictures and fabrics, take in the colorful pages. Even the book's edges are a vibrant pink! She has lots of words of inspiration about creativity, finding who you are and living unapologetically.

[Jeannie Minnaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book One Million Stars!!! It is an absolutely beautiful book! The pictures are so phenomenal, Iris’s quotes are remarkable, her story is incredibly beautiful!!! Even the paper the book is printed on is exquisite!!!!!! This will be a favorite book of my lifetime!!!!!

[Robin Caddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't love this book any more than I do. Iris Apfel has always been a favorite of mine, and reading her story was inspiring. Filled with brilliant, colorful pictures, this gem of a book is a dish of eye-candy. I highly recommend.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal maximalist patron saint, the one and only Iris Apfel (RIP to a real one), a queen, a doll, a beauty! How nice it would be marry into money and travel the world building the most beautiful and colorful collection and to-die-for style.

[Barbara Kochick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book! A life well lived. So much joie de vivre. Very uplifting!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this beautiful book. Iris was quite the treasure. What a sense of style, and she was grounded!

[Peggy McGarrity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational doesn’t begin to cover it! Loved this book and love her! Her curiousness, joie de vivre, openness, confidence- a muse for the ages. 🩷💚💙💜🧡❤️

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and thoughtfully assembled collection of images, stories, and pearls of wisdom.

[Renee Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look into the thoughts and world of an icon of colour and pattern. Some good life lessons that everyone could learn something from.

[Beth Oehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this inspirational character and saved so many quotes and images from this. But the layout felt rushed and sloppy. Too bad.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just delightful 🥰

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of 2025 for me!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all things Iris, the book itself is lovely to look at. Her lighthearted and autobiographical account of her style inspo is endearing and a gorgeously colorful addition to any coffee table.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational! Vibrant!

[Patricia Bergonzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast reading. Iris’ thoughts about life and how color makes you feel. Very upbeat. Thoughts to bolster your self image and attitude toward life.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colorful lady; a remarkable life.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful review of iris’s life and mindset. I enjoyed learning more from this icon

[Shannon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunningly beautiful. I fell in love with her way of being in the world!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure trove of color, patterns, fabrics, textures, and the times. It's really a paean of praise by, for, about, and to Ms Apfel but if anybody deserves it it is she.