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Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon
"I have rarely met someone as vivid, as alive, as vital, vivacious, irreverent, joyous, relevant, and needed as Iris. She breathes young air, thinks young thoughts, and gathers no dust. I simply adore her."--Dries van Noten
A unique and lavishly illustrated collection of musings, anecdotes, and observations on all matters of life and style, infused with the singular candor, wit, and exuberance of the globally revered ninety-six-year-old fashion icon whose work has been celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and by countless fans worldwide.
A woman who transcends time and trends, Iris Apfel is a true original, one of the most dynamic personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles, and interior design. As the cofounder with her husband, Carl Apfel, of Old World Weavers, an international textile manufacturing company that specialized in reproducing antique fabrics, her prestigious clientele has included Greta Garbo, Estee Lauder, Montgomery Clift, and Joan Rivers. She also acted as a restoration consultant and replicated fabric for the White House over nine presidential administrations. Iris’s travels worldwide and a passion for flea markets of all sorts inspired her work and fueled her passion for collecting fashion and accessories.
In 2005, she was the first living person who was not a designer to have her clothing and accessories exhibited at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a blockbuster show that catapulted her to fame and a career as a supermodel, muse, and collaborator for renowned brands, from Citroen to Tag Heuer, and global gigs at Bon Marché in Paris and the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. In 2015, acclaimed director Albert Maysles released Iris, his last film—now an Emmy Award nominee—to a global audience.
Now, this self-dubbed geriatric starlet, whose irrepressible authenticity, wit, candor, and infectious energy have earned her nearly a million followers on social media, has created an entertaining, thought-provoking, visually arresting, and inspiring volume—her first book—that captures her unique joie de vivre. Iris Accidental Icon, contains an eclectic mix of musings and 180 full-color and black-and-white photos and illustrations—presented in the same improvisational, multifaceted style that have made Iris a contemporary fashion icon. Astute maxims, witty anecdotes from childhood to the present, essays on style and various subjects, from the decline of manners to the importance of taking risks, fill the book as do lists, both proclamatory, revelatory, and advisory.
All are paired with a bold, color-filled, exciting design that varies from page to page. Here, too, is a treasure trove of never-before-published personal photographs and mementos, mixed with images from top international fashion photographers and illustrators with enchanting, surprising novelties such as Disney cartoons, vintage postcards, the Iris Apfel Halloween costume for children, and more.
A unique and lavishly illustrated collection of musings, anecdotes, and observations on all matters of life and style, infused with the singular candor, wit, and exuberance of the globally revered ninety-six-year-old fashion icon whose work has been celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and by countless fans worldwide.
A woman who transcends time and trends, Iris Apfel is a true original, one of the most dynamic personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles, and interior design. As the cofounder with her husband, Carl Apfel, of Old World Weavers, an international textile manufacturing company that specialized in reproducing antique fabrics, her prestigious clientele has included Greta Garbo, Estee Lauder, Montgomery Clift, and Joan Rivers. She also acted as a restoration consultant and replicated fabric for the White House over nine presidential administrations. Iris’s travels worldwide and a passion for flea markets of all sorts inspired her work and fueled her passion for collecting fashion and accessories.
In 2005, she was the first living person who was not a designer to have her clothing and accessories exhibited at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a blockbuster show that catapulted her to fame and a career as a supermodel, muse, and collaborator for renowned brands, from Citroen to Tag Heuer, and global gigs at Bon Marché in Paris and the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. In 2015, acclaimed director Albert Maysles released Iris, his last film—now an Emmy Award nominee—to a global audience.
Now, this self-dubbed geriatric starlet, whose irrepressible authenticity, wit, candor, and infectious energy have earned her nearly a million followers on social media, has created an entertaining, thought-provoking, visually arresting, and inspiring volume—her first book—that captures her unique joie de vivre. Iris Accidental Icon, contains an eclectic mix of musings and 180 full-color and black-and-white photos and illustrations—presented in the same improvisational, multifaceted style that have made Iris a contemporary fashion icon. Astute maxims, witty anecdotes from childhood to the present, essays on style and various subjects, from the decline of manners to the importance of taking risks, fill the book as do lists, both proclamatory, revelatory, and advisory.
All are paired with a bold, color-filled, exciting design that varies from page to page. Here, too, is a treasure trove of never-before-published personal photographs and mementos, mixed with images from top international fashion photographers and illustrators with enchanting, surprising novelties such as Disney cartoons, vintage postcards, the Iris Apfel Halloween costume for children, and more.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2018
103 people are currently reading
2404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
July 5, 2018
A quick, thoughtful, entertaining read -- Iris Apfel is terrific, now I want to watch the documentary.
October 14, 2023
One of my new favorite books, it is chock full of advice from an inspiring woman who is ageless and fearless. This book is filled with a colorful menagerie of images, words, and experiences that only someone as amazing as her could have had. Her life is as charming and irreverent as she is. I picked this book up at the gift shop at the Peabody Essex Museum- they have a large collection of Iris’s clothing and accessories. I hate that I just missed the huge exhibition they staged of her collection - I moved to the area about a month after it was gone. I can’t wait for future exhibits of her collection! My favorite quote from the book , “Having a sense of wonder, a sense of humor, and a sense of curiosity- these are my tonic. They keep you young, childlike, open to new people and things, ready for another adventure.”
June 28, 2018
2.5*
Iris Apfel - siu dienu legenda, New York gyvenanti stiliaus ikona, nepaliaujanti stebinti visu savo dziazuojanciu garderobu. Sulaukusi savo garbiu 90+, spalvingoji bobulyte, zavi savo jaunatvisku zvilgsniu I gyvenima, jumoro jausmu, gyvybiskumu…tokiu gyvenimu su upu. Jos sugebejimas vis dar stebetis, atradineti, noreti zaisti - ikvepiantis…
Pati knyga parasyta, suredaguota ir isleista labai jau ne puikiai. Taip, lyg butu tik koks pirmas bandymas - maketas. Po nuotraukomis nera jokio uzraso - paaiskinimo, lieka tik spelioti su kuo autore ten, kur, kada...Man buvo per mazai jos garsiuju outfit nuotrauku, bet pilna kokiu tai piesinuku, kurie menkino si leidima. Nors, ka cia gali zinoti, gal toks ir buvo sumanymas. Kaip ten bebutu, taciau pacios autores asmenybe negali nezaveti.
Tarp kitko, ji nera atsitiktine madoje. Ponia Apfel yra turejusi savo audiniu ir interjero dizaino verslus, restauravusi (audinius) ir dekoravusi baltuosius rumus devynioms presidentu administracijoms (nuo H. Truman iki B. Clinton), ilgus (l. ilgus) metus kolekcionavo aksesuarus…
Taip stulbinamai isgarsejo 2005-iais Metropolitan Museum of Art pristacius jos rubu ir aksesuaru kolekcija. Veliau seke dokumentinis filmas…ir uzsisuko visa media masina…Dabar ponia ramybes nebeturi... Taciau, kaip supratau, tuo ji megajausi…Greiciausiai ji sugeba dziaugtis ir megautis viskuo ir visada…
Kaip cia jos nepacituosi:
“If you want to stay young, you have to think young.
Having sense of wonder, a sense of humor, and a sense of curiosity – these are my tonic. They keep you young, childlike, open to new people and things, ready for another adventure”.
“Anyway, you have to have fun. If you can’t have fun, you might as well be dead”.
“You only fail if you do not try"
Iris Apfel - siu dienu legenda, New York gyvenanti stiliaus ikona, nepaliaujanti stebinti visu savo dziazuojanciu garderobu. Sulaukusi savo garbiu 90+, spalvingoji bobulyte, zavi savo jaunatvisku zvilgsniu I gyvenima, jumoro jausmu, gyvybiskumu…tokiu gyvenimu su upu. Jos sugebejimas vis dar stebetis, atradineti, noreti zaisti - ikvepiantis…
Pati knyga parasyta, suredaguota ir isleista labai jau ne puikiai. Taip, lyg butu tik koks pirmas bandymas - maketas. Po nuotraukomis nera jokio uzraso - paaiskinimo, lieka tik spelioti su kuo autore ten, kur, kada...Man buvo per mazai jos garsiuju outfit nuotrauku, bet pilna kokiu tai piesinuku, kurie menkino si leidima. Nors, ka cia gali zinoti, gal toks ir buvo sumanymas. Kaip ten bebutu, taciau pacios autores asmenybe negali nezaveti.
Tarp kitko, ji nera atsitiktine madoje. Ponia Apfel yra turejusi savo audiniu ir interjero dizaino verslus, restauravusi (audinius) ir dekoravusi baltuosius rumus devynioms presidentu administracijoms (nuo H. Truman iki B. Clinton), ilgus (l. ilgus) metus kolekcionavo aksesuarus…
Taip stulbinamai isgarsejo 2005-iais Metropolitan Museum of Art pristacius jos rubu ir aksesuaru kolekcija. Veliau seke dokumentinis filmas…ir uzsisuko visa media masina…Dabar ponia ramybes nebeturi... Taciau, kaip supratau, tuo ji megajausi…Greiciausiai ji sugeba dziaugtis ir megautis viskuo ir visada…
Kaip cia jos nepacituosi:
“If you want to stay young, you have to think young.
Having sense of wonder, a sense of humor, and a sense of curiosity – these are my tonic. They keep you young, childlike, open to new people and things, ready for another adventure”.
“Anyway, you have to have fun. If you can’t have fun, you might as well be dead”.
“You only fail if you do not try"
June 22, 2019
Книжка найстаршого підлітка на світі дев‘яносто-з-хвостиком-літньої Айріс Апфель. Написано дуже просто і щиро, справді наче підлітком - «А тоді я пішла купувати свою першу сукенку і вибрала чудову сукенку!». Це не посібник зі старіння - Айріс пише не так про вік, як про те, що важливо не втрачати інтересу до життя і робити те що любиш максимально довго. Фото чудові також.
February 6, 2023
من احلى الكتب اللي قرأتها الشهر ده بعد م شوفت الفيلم لنفس الشخصية، اسمه iris واللي تعتبر أيقونة ف مجال الفاشون 😍 واللي ما شاء الله عندها ١٠١ سنة ولسه مؤثرة ومبدعة
عجبتني اوي وصف نفسها the world's oldest living teenager ✨😌
الكتاب جميل مليان صور، ألوان، مقولات وحكايات 😌✨
هصور الكتاب من جوا علشان تشوفوا جماله.. تابعوا انستجرام 👇
@mai.designer92
عجبتني اوي وصف نفسها the world's oldest living teenager ✨😌
الكتاب جميل مليان صور، ألوان، مقولات وحكايات 😌✨
هصور الكتاب من جوا علشان تشوفوا جماله.. تابعوا انستجرام 👇
@mai.designer92
May 26, 2019
Quote from the book (final paragraph).
You only have one trip, and the present is all you’ve got. The past isn’t coming back, and the future isn’t here yet! So live each day as though it were your last. And one day you’ll be right.
You only have one trip, and the present is all you’ve got. The past isn’t coming back, and the future isn’t here yet! So live each day as though it were your last. And one day you’ll be right.
June 27, 2018
What a wonderful experience to read this book. The front cover is unique and every page inside was joyful, loud and so Iris. I knew little about her and learned a great deal. Her writings are not very long, the majority of the book is pictures and pages with colorful musings. I think everyone would enjoy this book.
July 30, 2021
I want to live a life like hers
May 30, 2018
"Although I'm in my 90s, I still feel like I'm 5 1/2 because I always look at the world like I'm discovering it for the first time. If I could remain one age forever, I wouldn't. I don't believe in that."
I adore Iris Apfel and her keen mind and her resplendent accessories and her life-sized ostrich statue that you pull the wing up and it's a drinks cabinet. This book has gorgeous illustrations and photos.
I adore Iris Apfel and her keen mind and her resplendent accessories and her life-sized ostrich statue that you pull the wing up and it's a drinks cabinet. This book has gorgeous illustrations and photos.
July 28, 2020
This book will hold you in awe, not least because of the obvious enormous cost of production and printing. The design was extra all around, which is so very Iris. The printing was full color on thick paper for every inch of it. This indulgence helped me get inside the mind of Iris Apfel, for which I am grateful.
October 5, 2025
This book is a delightful collection of musings, anecdotes, and pearls of wisdom. It is not really a biography or a how-to book on replicating her irrepressible, bold , and colorful style. It really is more of a delightful conversation with someone whose grit , curiosity, and courage to be herself inspires you to create your own path, stay true to yourself, and embrace aging with vigor. This is a quick read with wonderful visuals. One can’t help bet feel joy when picking up this book!
August 3, 2024
While I do still want to look like Iris Apfel when I grow up, I don't want to be like her. Jeez judgmental much. She hates people less fashionable, more tech savvy, really anyone different from her. She's even kinda mean about people who are not pretty. Not cool, lady.
My rating is not really about her opinions though, but about the very weird formatting and odd art and strange pulled out quotes. It feels weird and sloppy.
My rating is not really about her opinions though, but about the very weird formatting and odd art and strange pulled out quotes. It feels weird and sloppy.
October 2, 2025
What a fun read! Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon is as bold and curious as the woman herself: a celebration of growing old without ever truly growing up. Iris’s confidence, humor, and willingness to share her wisdom shine through on every page, reminding us that life is about embracing who you are. As she liked to say, “Getting old ain’t for sissies” and she proved it, living past 100 with style and spirit.
December 26, 2021
My Hero!
This gal has it going on! She gives the courage to be your own person at any age! I also lead ore her , her sense of style, take on life, humor, and great "ism's" . I feel I have found a kindred spirit! Thank you for sharing yourself with us Iris!
This gal has it going on! She gives the courage to be your own person at any age! I also lead ore her , her sense of style, take on life, humor, and great "ism's" . I feel I have found a kindred spirit! Thank you for sharing yourself with us Iris!
March 27, 2018
For anyone who wants creative inspiration or a fashion muse, get this book! It is, in itself, a true bargain! Read about the 96 going on 18 Fashionista who is still totally involved in creativity and life. I first heard of her last year when watching a documentary about her. Actually, I had heard o her before, but had not known much of her life. "She's you!" my husband said as we watched and became fascinated.
The book is full of her ideas on creativity and design. Her signature style, "more is more; less is a bore" is reflected in her wonderful jewelry and unusual outfits. She is no snob, however, nor a slave to fashion. Ms. Apfel talks about the excitement of finding a great $3 bracelet and mixing it with expensive jewelry, or not! She is a flea market fan big time, and has explored them allover the world.
The photographs of her wonderful home, complete with collections of nutcrackers and all kinds of objet d'art, made me drool! Her love of textile and knowledge of patterns from all eras and countries makes you want to go fabric hunting. She has worked with presidents from the 1940s to 90s when decorating and refurbishing rooms in The White House, but she retains her commons sense, humility, and artistic vision.
Her amazing life is reflected in the great love she has for her parents, both talented, encouraging free thinkers, She dedicates this book to her late husband, the wonderful, supportive Carl, and to them. Carl, too, is given lots of fashion and business credit, and she describes how she made him wonderful trousers in upholstery and other novelty materials that got him many compliments. My mother used to make me skirts out of all sorts of novelty prints like this, and I still wear them.
Apfel mixes pieces from Loehmann's, antique stores, estate sales, flea markets, and couture houses to create looks that have made her outfits and jewelry, layered one wonderful layer on the other, museum exhibits.
She talks about compiling these outfits and her projects freely, and is still a visiting professor at a major university.
Read the book; it will make you want to get up and do wonderful things! Her advice for longevity is age is just a number, get out and learn, stay curious and interested, and above all, follow your passions and dreams.
The book is full of her ideas on creativity and design. Her signature style, "more is more; less is a bore" is reflected in her wonderful jewelry and unusual outfits. She is no snob, however, nor a slave to fashion. Ms. Apfel talks about the excitement of finding a great $3 bracelet and mixing it with expensive jewelry, or not! She is a flea market fan big time, and has explored them allover the world.
The photographs of her wonderful home, complete with collections of nutcrackers and all kinds of objet d'art, made me drool! Her love of textile and knowledge of patterns from all eras and countries makes you want to go fabric hunting. She has worked with presidents from the 1940s to 90s when decorating and refurbishing rooms in The White House, but she retains her commons sense, humility, and artistic vision.
Her amazing life is reflected in the great love she has for her parents, both talented, encouraging free thinkers, She dedicates this book to her late husband, the wonderful, supportive Carl, and to them. Carl, too, is given lots of fashion and business credit, and she describes how she made him wonderful trousers in upholstery and other novelty materials that got him many compliments. My mother used to make me skirts out of all sorts of novelty prints like this, and I still wear them.
Apfel mixes pieces from Loehmann's, antique stores, estate sales, flea markets, and couture houses to create looks that have made her outfits and jewelry, layered one wonderful layer on the other, museum exhibits.
She talks about compiling these outfits and her projects freely, and is still a visiting professor at a major university.
Read the book; it will make you want to get up and do wonderful things! Her advice for longevity is age is just a number, get out and learn, stay curious and interested, and above all, follow your passions and dreams.
March 11, 2019
A delight, this little book!
Thanks for sharing your story, Iris. Though I'm pretty sure it could have been much more detailed, but then again, you're in your 90s, so maybe sitting down with a publisher to tell your life's story isn't something you are very anxious to do.
Long story short, you are an inspiration.
Thanks for sharing your story, Iris. Though I'm pretty sure it could have been much more detailed, but then again, you're in your 90s, so maybe sitting down with a publisher to tell your life's story isn't something you are very anxious to do.
Long story short, you are an inspiration.
May 7, 2018
Inspiring woman who is basing her success on common sense. I loved discovering Iris’ passion for travel and deep reflections that no doubt inspired her immaculate style. Humour and Hard Work are teo themes that come through strongly, which gave significantly risen respect levels of Iris for me.
June 27, 2018
Beautifully produced book. Iris Apfel tells her own story complete with brilliant and beautiful photography and graphic design, befitting this “geriatric starlet” and her passion for design, fashion and the all important accessories that she wears with such style.
July 29, 2019
I'd rather rather pore over this book than Instagram any day!
It will delight the style crowd that shuns Kate Spade.
It will delight the style crowd that shuns Kate Spade.
July 23, 2018
I might have been less disappointed if it had been sold to me as a glamorous coffee table book sprinkled with amusing quotes and anecdotes but I was expecting more ... words.
June 29, 2024
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had watched the documentary. The book is not a biography but snippets of thoughts, a lot of photos and many pages with illustrations and saying. It’s a quick read since so much of it is photos and illustrations and gives you a glimpse of Iris Apfels life but it’s like a little teaser and there is so much detail left out.
I do think she is a singular person and it made me really want to watch the documentary! I am just a little bummed about the lack of biography in the book.
I do think she is a singular person and it made me really want to watch the documentary! I am just a little bummed about the lack of biography in the book.
March 22, 2018
I loved reading this book. Iris has a great sense of style and amazing humor.
July 10, 2023
I ❤️ this lady !
December 4, 2023
What an icon and inspiration. When I grow up, I want to be just like Iris but that would be impossible as she truly never grew up, chooses to live in the ageless and timeless present.
April 5, 2024
The world lost a most spectacular women this year. She will always be my style icon as I move into elder hood.
August 15, 2024
so inspirational
March 23, 2025
I love this little lady; such beauty in her eyes!!! It’s a tops for meeee 💚✨💚✨💚✨
April 4, 2025
a sincere recollection told by the star of the show with such genuine insights intertwined with a delightful sense of humor
April 29, 2025
A fun book about Iris's life with tons of pictures! I'd seen her face before but didn't know who she was and decided to grab from the library. Loved it. Its a magazine scrapbook style easy read.
March 17, 2018
This woman is everything, and this book is perfection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews