Born in New York, Apfel, 96, went to art school before working on Women’s Wear Daily. Having co-founded Old World Weavers with her husband in 1950, she became an authority on antique textiles and took on design projects at the White House for nine presidents. In 2005, The Metropolitan Museum of Art staged an exhibition of her clothes and accessories. She has modelled for MAC makeup, and at 91, made the cover of Dazed & Confused magazine. Her new book is Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon.
When were you happiest? I try to be happy whenever I can. I don’t fret about what’s past and we don’t know if there will be a future, so I make as much as I can out of what’s here now.
What is your earliest memory? My first big shopping trip, when I was 11 or 12. My mother gave me $25 to buy an outfit for the Easter Parade. I bought a beautiful silk dress in pale peach, a straw hat and a pair of pumps, and I still had money left for coffee and lunch.
What is your most treasured possession? The Wandering Jew ring that belonged to my husband, Carl, is very important to me. We bought it in Dublin on his birthday on 4 August 1958, and he wore it until he died.
What would your super power be? Peace, a cure for cancer and Alzheimer’s, and everybody to be well educated – all the good stuff.
For more read the full of article at The Guardian
