TURKISH LIFE MAGAZINE | New York © 2026

From historic textiles and the White House to the world’s fashion stage, a remarkable career built on creativity and individuality.

Long before her oversized glasses became a global fashion signature, Iris Apfel had established herself as a respected businesswoman, textile expert, and interior designer.

Her story was not simply about dressing differently. It was about building a career through knowledge, craftsmanship, curiosity, and an independent vision.

Building a Business, Creating a Legacy

In 1950, Iris and her husband Carl founded Old World Weavers, a company specializing in reproductions of historic fabrics.

Their work required an understanding of traditional weaving techniques, historical patterns, and decorative arts. The company became known for its distinctive textiles and attracted prominent clients.

Among their most significant assignments were restoration and interior decoration projects at the White House, spanning nine presidential administrations.

In 1992, the couple sold the company, closing an important chapter of a successful business career.

The Exhibition That Changed Everything

In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York presented Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection.

The exhibition celebrated her remarkable collection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, combining luxury fashion with unexpected discoveries from markets and travels around the world.

At 84, Iris became an international fashion personality.

What had previously been a personal expression of taste suddenly became a recognizable identity admired by designers, museums, photographers, and fashion enthusiasts.

When Individuality Becomes a Brand

Iris Apfel transformed her distinctive appearance into a powerful personal brand without abandoning her individuality.

Her influence extended beyond fashion editorials. She collaborated with major brands, including MAC Cosmetics, Swarovski, and H&M, bringing her unmistakable visual language to cosmetics, jewelry, clothing, and accessories.

In 2014, filmmaker Albert Maysles explored her life and creative world in the documentary Iris.

In 2018, Mattel created a Barbie doll in her likeness. A year later, at 97, she signed with IMG Models.

Her career demonstrated that a personal identity, developed consistently over decades, could become more recognizable than a traditional commercial logo.

Creativity Beyond Age

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of Iris Apfel’s career was its timing.

While many professionals reach their greatest public recognition early in life, Iris entered a new period of international success in her eighties and continued working beyond her hundredth birthday.

Her story challenged conventional ideas about age, relevance, and professional reinvention.

From the Turkish Life Magazine Archives

During a New York event connected to her role as a brand ambassador for Turkish glassware company Paşabahçe, Iris Apfel was photographed in a series of candid moments.

The archival photographs capture her in conversation with guests, offering a glimpse of the personality behind her instantly recognizable appearance.

A Legacy of Independence

Iris Apfel passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 102.

She left behind more than a collection of extraordinary clothes. She built a textile business, contributed to historic interiors, influenced contemporary fashion, and created a personal identity recognized around the world.

Her life offers a lasting lesson: originality becomes valuable when it is supported by knowledge, work, and the confidence to remain different.

Photos by Engin Tufan Sevimli © | Turkish Life Magazine | New York