Iris Apfel

Born in 1921, Iris is an American interior designer, businesswoman and fashion icon. She began her early career as an interior designer and for Women’s Wear Daily. Two years after marrying in 1948, she and her husband launched a textile firm called Old World Weavers and ran it until their retirement in 1992.

Iris continued her design work after retirement, working on several design restoration projects, including the White House for nine US presidents. Through their business, the couple also traveled the world which is when Iris began wearing artisanal clothing and other pieces of non-Western clothing and accessories to wear to clients’ high society parties. At the age of 97, Iris signed a modeling contract.