“If you’re not interested, you’re not interesting.”
Iris Apfel was a much-loved fashion maven who perceived reality through a kaleidoscopic lens and invited the rest to do the same. With her passing earlier this month, the world of fashion lost one of its most incredible trailblazers and its oldest ever icon at the age of 102. Beginning as an interior designer in New York City, Apfel soon stepped into the fashion realm, leaving an impressive legacy through the years. The style luminary redefined the vogue, fabricating a vivacious bohemian chic that blended vintage and haute couture in the finest way.
Apfel once described herself as a ‘geriatric starlet’, a befitting title as the socialite only reached her acme of fame upon hitting 80. She garnered a legion of adorers across the world, courtesy of her unique style, quick wit and forever effervescent character. Preening herself with her signature oversized glasses and vibrant statement accessories, Apfel was never one to shy away from embracing her true self; she lived unapologetically and in doing so, asserted the power of confidence and individuality.
Ahead, we take a look at some of her most memorable quotes:
When it comes to style…
“Clothes are not frippery. Properly done, they can be an art form.”
“Colour can raise the dead.”
“Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself.”
“Fashion really is women’s liberation in a lot of ways.”
When it comes to self-realisation and growth…
“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, and, above all, attitude.”
“Being an individual takes effort. Most people are pretty lazy. And that’s OK! I mean, there are more important things than fashion. If it’s going to stress you out to have a sense of style, don’t do it. The important thing is to be comfortable so you can get on with your life.”
“If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow, and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.”
“You have to be true to yourself, you have to know yourself. Not be a trend follower. You’ve got to learn to take a few risks.”
“Fit in first and then step out. There is a difference between being perceived of as original and being accepted, even loved for it, and being perceived as different and resented for it. You can have your cake and eat it, too.”
When it comes to age…
“I don’t see anything wrong with a wrinkle. It’s kind of a badge of courage.”
“You may not like getting older, but what’s the alternative? You’re here. Embrace it…Put your experience to work, to give something back to other people.”
When it comes to living…
“If you’re not interested, you’re not interesting.”
“You’ve got to try it. You’ve only got one trip, you have to remember that.”
“My philosophy is to live in the now – yesterday is gone, you don’t know if there’s even going to be a tomorrow, so you might as well enjoy today. As my husband used to say, you should really live every day as if it were your last, because one day you’ll be right.”
“Everybody now wants a ‘why’, everybody wants an answer. Lots of things don’t have any answers and they shouldn’t have. There should be some mystery left in the world.”
Featured image by iris.apfel on Instagram.