Iris Apfel
Encyclopedia
Iris Apfel is an American businesswoman, former interior designer, and fashion icon.
She studied art history at New York University
and attended art school at the University of Wisconsin. As a young woman Barrel worked for Women's Wear Daily
and for interior designer Elinor Johnson. She also was an assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman.
In 1948 she married Carl Apfel. Two years later they launched the textile firm Old World Weavers and ran it until they retired in 1992. During this time, Iris Apfel took part in many design restoration projects, including work at the White House
for nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton.
Iris Apfel still consults, and also lectures about style and other fashion topics.
in New York City premiered an exhibition about the fashionable style of Iris Apfel entitled Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel. The success of the exhibit was profound that planted the seed for traveling versions of the exhibit displayed at the Norton Museum of Art
in West Palm Beach; the Nassau County Museum in Nassau County, New York; and the Peabody Essex Museum
in Salem, Mass. The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History
in Boynton Beach is in the conceptual phase of a 93000 square feet (8,640 m²) new building that will include a dedicated gallery for the clothes, accessories and furnishings of Iris Apfel.
.
Background and early life
Born Iris Barrel, she was the only child of Samuel Barrel (born 1897), whose family owned a glass and mirror business, and his Russian-born wife, Sadye (aka Syd), who owned a fashion boutique.She studied art history at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and attended art school at the University of Wisconsin. As a young woman Barrel worked for Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily is a fashion-industry trade journal sometimes called "the bible of fashion." WWD delivers information and intelligence on changing trends and breaking news in the fashion, beauty and retail industries with a readership composed largely of retailers, designers, manufacturers,...
and for interior designer Elinor Johnson. She also was an assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman.
In 1948 she married Carl Apfel. Two years later they launched the textile firm Old World Weavers and ran it until they retired in 1992. During this time, Iris Apfel took part in many design restoration projects, including work at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton.
Iris Apfel still consults, and also lectures about style and other fashion topics.
Museum retrospectives
In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of ArtMetropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
in New York City premiered an exhibition about the fashionable style of Iris Apfel entitled Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel. The success of the exhibit was profound that planted the seed for traveling versions of the exhibit displayed at the Norton Museum of Art
Norton Museum of Art
The Norton Museum of Art is an art museum located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Its collection includes over 5,000 works, with a concentration in European, American, and Chinese art as well as in contemporary art and photography.-History:...
in West Palm Beach; the Nassau County Museum in Nassau County, New York; and the Peabody Essex Museum
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum , originally the Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute, in Salem, Massachusetts is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States, and holds one of the major collections of Asian art in the US; its total holdings include about 1.3 million pieces, as...
in Salem, Mass. The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History
Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History
The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History is a non-profit organization located in Palm Beach County, Florida. It hosts the Barbie Museum exhibit.-Overview:...
in Boynton Beach is in the conceptual phase of a 93000 square feet (8,640 m²) new building that will include a dedicated gallery for the clothes, accessories and furnishings of Iris Apfel.
Philanthropy
Carl and Iris Apfel have supported many charities including a $1.2 million donation to the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye InstituteBascom Palmer Eye Institute
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, is a center for ophthalmic care, research, and education. Faculty and staff treat patients from around the world in facilities in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Collier County...
.