‘Fashion icon Iris Apfel inspired my walk as a Christian’

Iris Apfel became world famous for her vivid, colourful dress sense and trademark oversized glasses. A successful businesswoman in the textiles and interior design sector who served the White House for over nine presidencies, Iris was well known for being outspoken, her daring style and embarking on a modelling career at 97 years old. Becky Hunter-Kelm shares how Iris’s attitude has encouraged her.

When Iris passed away at her home in Florida on 1 March 2024, at the age of 102, the world paid tribute to her creativity, devotion to living with passion, and authenticity. Her code for life was to be yourself, think about others, and live with passion - which Apfel undoubtedly did until the day she died.

She is quoted as saying, ‘Clothes are not frippery. Properly done, they can be an art form.’ I love clothes and style, and Iris is right - clothes can be an art form we can enjoy and use to express ourselves.