Throughout my life, role models have shaped my understanding of what was possible—and what was wise. My earliest influences were, of course, my parents: my father, intelligent, curious, and driven; my mother, graceful, spirited, and drawn to beauty. As a child, I aspired to think like my father and look like my mother—a pattern that, if I'm honest, continues today. Though I briefly turned to literature, movies, and pop culture for inspiration in my teenage years, my parents were always there, subtly guiding me back toward better examples when it mattered most.
In High School and College most of my role models were teachers, the people I met at church, and always a wide assortment of friends. It was in high school that I began to want to dress like my friends. There were the prerequisite poodle skirts, the sweater sets with white Peter Pan collars and other apparel items that were considered to be cool. In College I majored in drama so the clothes I chose were pretty unusual and dramatic When I started graduate school, Jackie Kennedy was my style influencer. Her everyday travel style of white slacks or jeans and a dark top could take me almost anywhere I wanted to go except when I needed to wear a colorful sheath dress with pearls, or borrow an evening gown from my mother. In 1977, when I got my Ph.D. the Women’s Movement was gaining ground, it was understood that to achieve in a mans world a woman would have to “Dress for Success.” So during the 80’s I began to wear tailored suits along with khaki skirts and blazers. In fact I bought a couple women’s Oxxford Suits, and an Oxxford Overcoat from Connelly’s so that people in the business community would realize I was serious.
Fast forward all these years later, I don’t think there are any expectations of how a Gallery owner should dress. But I realize that being that “Dress for Success” person in the 1980’s is in sharp contrast from the person who wore leopard print leggings to the Gallery yesterday. That might not have happened without the influence of a role model that I have been emulating for about 15 years now. Her name is Iris Apfel. On August 29th Iris will be 100 years old. One of the cool things about Iris is that too much is never enough.
In 2019, at the age of 97, Iris signed a modeling contract with the global agency, IMG. In 2005, The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City premiered an exhibition about Apfel’s style entitled, Rara Avis, Rare Bird. She became the oldest person to ever have a Barbie doll made in her image. There are also two “Styled by Iris Apfel” Barbie dolls that are currently available. Every time I think about those dolls I have to struggle with myself to not go on Amazon and order one. In 1950, along with her late husband, Iris launched the textile firm “Old World Weavers” that they ran until 1992. They participated in a variety of design products including working at refurbishing the White House for nine different Presidents.