IRIS APFEL: COLORFUL

A multimedia celebration of the life of an iconic style maven.

Throughout this glossy treasure trove of flare and fanciful grace, Apfel (1921-2024) brings numerous elements of her career to vivid life. Split into sections focusing on the significance and interconnectedness of creativity, color, courage, playfulness, and longevity, the book offers continuously illuminating ideas on style, culture, and creativity. “Creative work gives me life,” writes the author, while “design feeds my soul.” Eye-catching photographs leap off the page as Apfel generously shares personal images and commentary about her early life, family, world travels, and affinity for vibrant, prismatic “happy colors.” The author’s heart and soul shine throughout her discussions of her oversize, bold jewelry, eyewear, and distinctive clothing as well as in a memorable photo of her seated in her ultrabright sitting room on her 100th birthday. Apfel delivers heartfelt stories of her creatively adventuresome life as an interior designer and manufacturing entrepreneur with her husband, Carl (her wedding dress was pink and strapless)—and how the “osmosis” of soaking up a host of multicultural experiences influenced the gaiety of her daily life and informed her sartorial aesthetic. Whether designing distinctive textiles, rugs, or clothing, Apfel’s myriad sources of inspiration and motivation always involved bright hues, unique and interesting patterns and textures, layered coloring, and the assistance of superstar designers. The author also offers sage advice on life, based on how she lived hers—e.g., trusting gut feelings, exploring one’s imagination, and living genuinely. “If I could remain one age forever, I wouldn’t,” she writes. “I don’t believe in that. I enjoy being alive. I enjoy people. I enjoy experience. I enjoy work. There is very little I don’t enjoy. Perhaps that’s the secret? Enjoy as much as you can.”

A delightful posthumous treasury to a flamboyant life embraced in full color.