Ever since Iris Apfel—at the time an octogenarian—fronted an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, she’s become a creative inspiration for a new generation of international style seekers. Now, at 94-years-old, the Queens-born textile expert is still honing her unique personal style (oversized eyewear, miles of bangles, and jawbreaker-size beads reign) and is the face of the spring 2016 collection from Australian-based women’s clothing line, Blue Illusion. The label, co-founded by Donna and Danny Guest over 15 years ago is launching stateside this month in the Bay Area, with shops in Menlo Park, Burlingame, and Los Gatos, and with Apfel serving as a very American muse. Here, Donna Guest describes the partnership with Apfel, and what she’s learned from the nonagenarian.

What inspired you to work with Iris Apfel for this collection? Iris has an intrinsic ability to be individual, while classically modern. I’ve always wanted to work with her. Her love of Paris, French antiques and Bon Marche are loves of mine and made this collaboration feel genuine and authentic.

Did Iris do her own styling at the shoot? When we approached Iris, we sent her the original hand sketches our designers drew when putting the collection together. She responded immediately asking us to send her the collection, she immediately started working with her own personal accessories. She was extremely personable, genuinely interested and complimentary of the brand. She brought her own touch to each outfit, combining amazing treasures she had collected from all around the world. She is a woman with a genuine love for fashion, with amazing stories and brought so much to the campaign.

What was your first impression of Apfel’s Park Avenue flat where you shot? Her apartment is Aladdin’s cave. All of her looks are playful. She has things from all around the globe, each with its own story that goes back 70 years. Her attention to detail, amazing story telling and acute memory created an amazing insight into a truly wonderful woman.

Does she have any secrets or tricks for layering things? She’s confident and her style is second nature. She has an aesthetic that is so authentic and individual that it is incredibly inspiring to be around. She ignited my love of color and texture.

Did the eclectic Bay Area inspire this creative venture? San Francisco is an amazing city. It shares many attributes to aspects of living in Australia. The bohemian culture here is so relevant from a fashion and lifestyle point of view. We feel that Iris is a great way to start this conversation in the U.S.

By Elizabeth Varnell

Pictured: Iris Apfel wearing her version of a look from Blue Illusion’s spring 2016 collection.
Photo courtesy of Blue Illusion

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