Fashion Can Be Joyous And Fun – A Good Mix – by E. G. Penet

It bears repeating … in the recent words of the American Ambassador to France, Jane Hartley, speaking of Iris Apfel: “She’s a wonderful example of how fashion can be joyous and fun.”

Ambassador Harley gave a reception for Iris Apfel in Paris during an exhibition of Iris Apfel’s designs in a pop-up boutique at the Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche department store during Paris Fashion Week, entitled: “Iris in Paris.”

As cited in the New York Times Arena section of the NYT Style Section (03/13/2016) written by Dana Thomas, Ms. Apfel, the 94-year-old New Yorker and style star, created ten tableaux: “Iris at the Museum,” “Iris at the Flea Market,” Iris on the Bateau Mouches,” and so on. Each tableaux featured trademark Apfel fashions and accessories from her extension wardrobe and new designs.

She selected a few items the store could sell. There are her cross-body Mongolian lamb handbag/muff, pinball-size bead necklaces, big resin bangles.

I have featured Iris before in this blog, citing her outspoken opinions about women’s fashions and her film “Iris.” She is important for me as an owner of Mix on Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti and Mix in Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor, because she truly “shows the way” for my customers to have fun costuming themselves according to their moods, tastes, needs and inclinations in so many wonderful ways.

Iris Apfel is deadly serious about fashion being joyous and fun … as should life.

photo: Iris Apfel, the 94-year-old style star, outside Le Bon Marché in Paris, where she is the subject of an exhibition and pop-up shop.
photo credit: Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times  NYT link

-Ed