I recall one of my conversations with Iris, which stays with me still-
“I can’t think of anything more horrible than sitting on a beach, or going on  water skis. I mean, if I could just go to all these bazaars and souks and poke around, I’m happy as a clam. I can put things together or design things. I ‘m happiest when I’m creative.”

Take a look at her interview on HouseBeautiful.com below.

KOTUR: What’s your advice for finding treasures at flea markets and thrift stores?
IRIS APFEL: I do know what I would look for and it’s typically not what most people are attracted to. Look for what pleases you. If you buy something and you’re not comfortable with wearing it or having it out, then it’s not for you.  I always tell everybody, being well dressed or having your home well decorated is a choice. If you have to go through too much stress or aggravation or too much this or that… then, forget it! It’s better to be happy than to be chic. You just need to relax. There are no fashion police that are going to carry you away!

K:When One Kings Lane cleared your warehouses, did you come across stuff you forgot you even owned?
I: Absolutely! There were a lot of things I had forgotten. You can’t remember everything! Some things I had never even unpacked!

K: What piece of furniture would you never part with?
I: A number of things! There are a few things I’m letting go of that were very difficult. However, I’m taking a number of pieces down to my house in Palm Beach—I can’t fit anything else into my Park Avenue place.

K: Does your husband enjoy hunting for unique objects as much as you do?
I: We’ve been married 66 years—it’s a long time! At the beginning, when we were first married, he wanted everything new. He would act like a spoiled brat when I passed an antique shop. He would say, “I don’t want to go in! I don’t want anyone else’s old troubles!” But, once we got established he started to love it.

K: If your friends were shopping the sale, what would you advise them to look out for?
I: Well, it depends what the friend wanted and what they needed. There are a number of things that are very unusual and ridiculously priced I could sell them on!

K: You have your hands in so many different projects, do you just like staying busy?
I: Some days I’m frantic! Like today, I was supposed to give the people from MAC Cosmetics a quote but then my phone went dead… so I stole my husband’s, called them back with no luck and now they’re calling me back and I’m in the middle of a movie shoot!

K: It sounds like you need an assistant! Did you ever think you’d be busier than ever in your nineties?
I: I never wanted to stop working, but I never dreamt of being a geriatric starlet! Sometimes I grumble, but I thank god every night that I am 92-and-a-half and I am asked to do so many things. Getting shot for magazine covers and all kinds of stuff! It’s very exciting. I have been on the cover of every European publication you can think of, all these blogs and television shows too. It’s coo coo!

K: Do you still follow interior designers or do you just blaze your own path?
I: I haven’t been interested in an interior designer in a long, long time. Everything looks the same—if I could tell you the truth! I can’t say that I don’t see new pretty things here and there, but mostly it’s all boring as far as I am concerned. You can’t tell who lives in any of these apartments. There like divine hotel suites.

K: Too modern or too stark?
I:They’re just all the same. It’s like a formula and I don’t like that.

K: You’ve worked in both fashion and interior design. What are you most passionate about?
I: Fashion and interior design are one in the same.

K: You would say you definitely don’t follow trends?
I: Things are either good or they’re not. They either suit you or they don’t. Some years all the colors and cuts are wonderful, other years they’re ridiculous. I never buy what someone says is “in” or a “must-have.” I buy what makes me happy.

K: What exactly does it take to be chic?
I: It’s a big discussion… To sum it up, unfortunately, most people are not chic. You have to know who you are and you have to be comfortable with it. You just have to do it.

K: How can people tap into their inner uniqueness?
I: Self-exploration is very painful, but unless you do that you will never know who you are and who you want to be. People want all the results without doing any work. You don’t find out who you are unless you work at it.

Thank you Iris Apfel!

When it comes the style mantra ‘More is More,’ there is almost no one that embodies it more completely than Iris Apfel. The 92 year old fashion icon is the living proof of the brilliance of eccentric excess. Known for her signature oversized glasses and wonderful wardrobe, she is quite simply unmissable.

Brought to the world’s attention following the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2005 exhibition of her extraordinary vintage packed and opulent wardrobe entitled “Rara Avis’ meaning ‘Rare Bird,’ Apfel has since become a global fashion phenomenon. She started out, however, as an Interior Designer working in post war America where she was hired for her eclectic style and vision. From the get go she was known for her maximalist approach as well as her eye for the extraordinary, be that a flea market find or a rare vintage textile. Her love of the latter led her to found Old World Weavers with her husband Carl, a company that reproduced wonderful fabrics from Europe as well as an antiques business that saw them scouring the continent for finds to bring back and sell in their New York showroom.  Today, she has her own jewelry line.

A reflection of her own taste and extremely individual style, Apfel lives in a three bedroomed apartment on Park Avenue that quite simply could not be anybody else’s. Dripping in Chinoiserie, Italian baroque furniture, Louis XVI inspired interiors, costume jewelry, hand printed textiles and knick knacks picked up over a lifetime of magpie like shopping all over the world, it bursts with the same sort of eccentric glamour as it’s owner. A hallway festooned with ancient Chinese textiles, paintings of dogs, a baroque Italian console and towers of books leads to a French inspired, bleach oak paneled living room stuffed with opulent textiles. You’ll find a Louis XVI daybed in the library, a spare room stacked full of racks of her vintage clothes, rooms filled with costume jewelry draped over surfaces and antiques, paisley throws and more interesting fabric than the eye knows what do with.

Apfel has laughingly referred to herself as the ‘Geriatric Starlet.’ Looking at her apartment, it is abundantly clear however that the inspiration she provides crosses every boundary of age. She is a beacon of the brilliance of eccentricity, living embodiment of the triumph of individual style and the very best kind of Rare Bird for it indeed.

Picture 1from Daily Candy – read their interview with her here http://www.dailycandy.com/everywhere/flipbook/156919/Iris-Apfel-Interview

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/celebrity-homes/2011/iris-apfel-manhattan-apartment-article

By Fiona Kotur

Jonathan Becker, 30 years at Vanity Fair

This collection of the photographer’s portraits for the magazine have seen him travel everywhere from Buckingham Palace and an appointment with Prince Charles to the Amazonian Jungle and one with the Yamomami tribe in pursuit of the perfect picture. http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Becker-Years-Vanity-Fair/dp/1614280797

Albertus Seba’s Cabinet of Curiosities 

Almost a coffee table in itself it’s so large, this book is one of natural history’s most compelling archives. Beautifully presented and full of completely fascinating finds, it is a must for any household. http://www.amazon.com/Albertus-Sebas-Cabinet-Natural-Curiosities/dp/3822816000

Helmut Newton, Sumo

So huge when first published a decade ago it came with it’s very own stand, Sumo charts the iconic photographer’s career, spanning 350 images that are all equal parts erotic, arresting and beautfiul. It’s as powerful today as it was when it was first published.  http://www.amazon.com/Helmut-Newton-Sumo-June/dp/3836517302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377486611&sr=1-1&keywords=helmut+newton

Alaia: by Azzedine Alaia

As far as fashion books go, this limited edition tome, published in 1999 by Steidl and chock full of the Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaia‘s arresting images is about as fabulous as it gets.

Nomads of Niger by Marion von Offelen and Carol Beckwith

For those fond of National Geographic style reportage, this book is the ultimate escape. Documenting the Woodabe tribe of Niger, it is steeped in images so compelling it’s hard to pull yourself away. http://www.amazon.com/Nomads-Niger-Carol-Beckwith/dp/0810981254

Slim Aarons – A Wonderful Time, An intimate portrait of the Good Life

"An intimate portrait of the good life"

For some good old escapism you can’t really beat Slim Aarons and his world of beautiful people and beautiful places. Stunning stuff from a stunning photographer. http://www.amazon.com/Wonderful-Time-Intimate-Portrait-Good/dp/0060100168/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377487758&sr=1-6&keywords=slim+aarons

Rare Bird of Fashion, The Irreverent Iris Apfel

This celebration of one of fashion’s brightest and best icons looks at her one off approach to fashion and provides inspiration on a daily basis to us in the Kotur office. A brilliant tome by Eric Boman celebrating a brilliant lady . Rare Bird of Fashion

These are tough times, and when the going gets tough, the tough get chicer by being resourceful and imaginative.

Here are a few favorite Iris-isms that mean much to me, and I hope will to you, quotations from assorted conversations with Mrs. Apfel, including one in particular with the interviewer Marilyn Kirschner.

Most Famous Iris Apfel Quote: ‘I am the world’s oldest teenager.’

The Cost of Style: ‘Today with places like H & M and all the discount stores there really is no reason not to be well-dressed.’

On Being Fashionable: ‘Just being a clotheshorse is not my idea of heaven…I’m not a fashionista…I love beautiful clothes, and I appreciate them, but…’

Her First Job: Copy girl for Women’s Wear Daily.

The Family Business: With husband Carl, the prestigious textiles and materials company Old World Weavers.

Trademark Iris Apfel Look: Her ‘Traveling Ensemble,’ a three-piece outfit matching outfit of coat, boots, and an oversized bag made from an upholstery-style animal print.

An Iris Don’t: Flip-flops in the city. ‘Everybody looks like they are going to the shower.’

An Iris Do: Accessories. ‘I couldn’t live without any accessories…Very few people are buying couture anymore and designer clothing is really beyond many people…but almost everybody, with a little scrimping and saving, can have an accessory designer piece, so it could be a bag or a scarf, or a pair of eyeglasses, but there you are!