ByQuotes

Iris Apfel Quotes

Powerful Iris Apfel for Daily Growth

About Iris Apfel

Iris Apfel (born August 29, 1921) is an American interior designer, fashion icon, and businesswoman, renowned for her eccentric style and unique perspective on fashion and design. Apfel was born in Queens, New York, to a Jewish family and spent her early years surrounded by the diverse cultures of the city. This exposure fostered her love for textiles, colors, and patterns that would later become hallmarks of her style. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied art history but did not graduate. In 1948, Apfel married Carl Apfel, a man who would become her partner in business and life. Together, they started a textile company, Old World Weavers, which became a major supplier to the U.S. government for restoring historical buildings. The couple traveled extensively for their work, accumulating an impressive collection of textiles, jewelry, and other artifacts from around the world. Retiring from Old World Weavers in 1992, Apfel turned her attention to interior design, creating unique spaces that reflected her love for color, pattern, and texture. One of her most notable projects was renovating the Mark Hotel's Presidential Suite in New York City. In 2005, at the age of 86, Apfel had a retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, titled "Rare Gems: The World of Iris Apfel." This event catapulted her into the mainstream fashion world, and she became a muse for designers like Marc Jacobs. Apfel continues to work as an interior designer, has her own line of eyewear, and is a sought-after speaker on topics related to style, design, and aging gracefully. Her life and work serve as a testament to the power of individuality and the importance of embracing one's unique sense of style at any age.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"More is more, less is a bore."

Iris Apfel's quote "More is more, less is a bore" emphasizes her belief in expressing oneself boldly and without restraint. In other words, she encourages individuals to be extravagant rather than minimalistic, as she sees simplicity as uninteresting or dull. This can apply not only to fashion but also to creativity, self-expression, and life choices. It's a call for vibrancy, passion, and individuality. However, it is essential to remember that balance is needed in every aspect of life; too much of anything can lead to excess.

"I don't dress for other people. I never have – and I never will."

This quote signifies self-expression and individuality, as expressed by Iris Apfel. By choosing to not dress for others, she emphasizes that personal style is a reflection of one's own identity and preferences, rather than conforming to societal expectations or trends. She maintains her unique sense of fashion throughout her life, making bold choices that remain true to herself rather than following the norms set by others.

"The bolder, the better."

Iris Apfel's quote "The bolder, the better" emphasizes the importance of expressing oneself boldly and fearlessly, particularly in matters of style, creativity, or self-expression. It suggests that one should not shy away from making a statement with their choices, whether in fashion, art, or life decisions, as boldness often leads to more impactful and memorable expressions. This quote encourages individuals to embrace their uniqueness and not conform to societal norms or expectations.

"I think everyone should be his or her own individual: If you're an orchid, don't try to be a rose."

Iris Apfel's quote emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique identity rather than trying to conform to societal expectations or emulate others. In essence, it encourages everyone to cultivate their own talents, interests, and personality traits without comparing themselves to others or striving for something that doesn't resonate with who they truly are. Just as an orchid and a rose have distinct beauty and value, each person should celebrate their individuality and not strive to be someone they're not.

"I'm not a fashion victim; I'm a fashion warrior."

Iris Apfel's quote, "I'm not a fashion victim; I'm a fashion warrior," conveys her self-empowerment in expressing personal style fearlessly and unapologetically. Instead of succumbing to societal norms or trends (a "fashion victim"), she embraces individuality and assertiveness (a "fashion warrior") in her unique fashion choices, embodying a spirit of self-expression and confidence.

I never had to look for confidence because I just wore what I wanted to wear. I would never wear anything to offend my husband or my mother, but outside of that, I always figured, I hope I'm not a rebel, and I hope everybody liked it. And if they didn't like it, it really was not going to disturb me because it was their problem, not mine.

- Iris Apfel

Everybody, Wear, Had, Rebel

Aging gracefully is about no heavy makeup, and not too much powder because it gets into the wrinkles, and, you know, to not get turtle eyelids and to not try to look young.

- Iris Apfel

Makeup, Turtle, Young, Wrinkles

I'm a practical person. Most fashion people live in the clouds, and they're full of it. I live like a human being - or, I try to - and I have to be intelligent; I have to be practical. I'm a great believer in common sense, and the older I get, I see that common sense is not that common.

- Iris Apfel

Clouds, See, I See, Believer

Oh my God, I'm a walking advertisement for discounted shopping.

- Iris Apfel

Walking, Advertisement, Oh, Oh My God

I had a very brilliant father who was not only intellectual, but was street-smart and very curious to boot. The day I found out that he didn't know everything, I grew up. It was a shock. I just thought that the man was the end-all of everything, and he knew the answer to everything. Then I found out I'd have to find out my own answers.

- Iris Apfel

Father, Thought, Very, End-All

I think some people like me because I'm different. I don't think like everybody else. People are so tied up in the worst parts of technology these days. They live a life pressing buttons. They don't use their imaginations.

- Iris Apfel

Some, Everybody, I Think, Pressing

I'd rather go to a flea market than just about anything. It's the process I like - the same with getting dressed. If I've got someplace to be, I'll spend more time getting dressed than I spent at the actual event. Sometimes. Even in my own closet, I love to dig and search and find.

- Iris Apfel

Love, Dig, Rather, Flea

You have to push yourself when you're older because it's very easy to fall into the trap. You start to fall apart - you just have to do your best to paste yourself together. I think doing things and being active is very important. When your mind is busy, you don't hurt so much.

- Iris Apfel

Doing, I Think, Very, Hurt

Fashion really is women's liberation in a lot of ways. Look at how many women in this country are depressed about how they look and how they think they have to look! It's really sad. And it's not about money.

- Iris Apfel

Think, Country, About, Liberation

I'm a hopeless romantic. I buy things because I fall in love with them. I never buy anything just because it's valuable.

- Iris Apfel

Love, Buy, Them, Hopeless

Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself.

- Iris Apfel

Curiosity, Personal, About, Extreme

I live in the Dark Ages, the 17th century. Actually, I would have loved to be in Paris in the early 20th century when the Ballets Russes were there and Chanel was designing.

- Iris Apfel

Designing, Chanel, Dark Ages, Ballets

You can change the look of an outfit so easily by changing the kind of jewellery you wear. If you have a basic outfit on - a black sweater and skirt or a simple black dress - you can go from the office to a cocktail party at night just by changing your jewellery. It helps if you change your shoes as well.

- Iris Apfel

Simple, Dress, Wear, Helps

There's different shopping in Paris than there is at a bazaar in Istanbul, but they're all wonderful.

- Iris Apfel

Paris, Wonderful, Than, Istanbul

Understated jewellery is not for me. It's too itsy-bitsy. My husband is lucky, as I've never had a yen for real jewels.

- Iris Apfel

Husband, Lucky, Had, Understated

I don't happen to approve of plastic surgery. I think God put plastic surgeons on this earth for good reasons - people get burned or people might have a nose like Pinocchio and that has to be fixed. But to just chop yourself up to look a few years younger? You could come out looking like a Picasso picture.

- Iris Apfel

Good, I Think, Reasons, Fixed

The White House is the people's house. When you do historical restoration, that must be what it is.

- Iris Apfel

White, Historical, Must, White House

My look is either very baroque or very Zen - everything in between makes me itch.

- Iris Apfel

Itch, Very, Either, Baroque

I absolutely consider fashion a form of art. Of course, there is some fashion that is not art at all - it's utilitarian, made for the purpose of covering up. And there are a lot of people out there who put a lot of effort into looking awful. But there are also people putting the same amount of energy into making bad art.

- Iris Apfel

Some, Covering, Putting, Utilitarian

My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic, completely dressed in a completely different manner than I did. I was a child of the Depression, so she taught me all about accessories, and I always tell everybody she worships at the altar of the accessory.

- Iris Apfel

Big, Tell, Everybody, Big Influence

I'm from New York. My grandparents were settlers of Long Island City. When they came here, there was no bridge, and they had to hire a boat across the river. They had a farm, and my grandmother had to go once a week to Manhattan to buy provisions - very primitive.

- Iris Apfel

Here, Long Island, Very, Provisions

I mix everything up. A museum curator once said to me that there is a great jazz component to the way I do things because good jazz is improvisation and draws elements from all different cultures. And that's the way I do everything - the way I dress and decorate.

- Iris Apfel

Dress, Jazz, Decorate, Mix

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.

- Iris Apfel

Challenges, New Challenges, Too Many People

In America, it has been proven that the bulk of spending money is in the hands of women between 60 and 80, so it's so stupid. The people who do have the time and money to shop are either retired or empty-nesters.

- Iris Apfel

Stupid, Spending Money, Been, Time And Money

Just because you get to a certain number doesn't mean you have to roll up into a ball and wait for the grim reaper. We were put on this earth to do something! If you stop using your brain, at any age, it is going to stop working. It's like if you stop using your hand, it will atrophy. I think doing nothing is a curse.

- Iris Apfel

Doing, Wait, I Think, Reaper

You learn as you grow up, if you're intelligent - or even three-quarter witted - that there's no free lunch. You pay for things in various ways. Living, loving, everything else is a matter of the same principles: you learn to work with what you have.

- Iris Apfel

Lunch, Matter, Ways, Everything Else

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.

- Iris Apfel

Lazy, Your, Important Thing, OK

Coco Chanel once said that what makes a woman look old is trying desperately to look young. Why should one be ashamed to be 84? Why do you have to say that you're 52? Nobody's going to believe you anyway, so why be such a fool? It's nice that you got to be so old. It's a blessing.

- Iris Apfel

Woman, Young, Why, Blessing

I've never seen anything like the way some young people behave. They go out on a date, and they're sitting opposite each other at a table, and they're not looking at each other, and they text each other as though they're deaf-mutes. It's insane.

- Iris Apfel

Date, Some, Other, Table

I go out in New York, and I think, boy, you can look at someone and pretty much determine their zip code. Everyone seems to want to conform. I wonder, are they all just button-pressers, on the Internet all day long? I don't know.

- Iris Apfel

Boy, I Think, Code, I Wonder

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.