Do you want to raid Iris Apfel's closet with me next week and spend all of our money?

600 pieces of Iris Apfel's estate are up for auction next week at Doyle Auctions in NYC. Necklaces, fur coats, sculptures, foot stools, you name it. This is monumental.

This is an extremely important announcement. It would be wise to pause all clothing purchases you are about to make this week/month and gear up. Why? It has to do with Iris.

“More is more, less is a bore.”

These words were iconically spoken by the absolute fashion legend and genius Iris Apfel (RIP 🥺). When I grow up, I want to be Iris Apfel. Among tons of other things, Iris is the epitome of idiosyncratic style and maximalism. She was a businesswoman. With the general resurgence of Maximalism, we owe it all to Iris. If you don’t know who she is/aren’t super familiar with her impact, I’ve written up a TLDR biography on her below (assuming most of us know who she is here, but if not, no sweat I gotchu).

This is Iris. I mean….

She’s such a ledge. Ok . . . I highly considered gatekeeping this, but here we go.

Doyle Auctions in NYC is selling off Iris Apfel’s estate the first week of March.

Peep Doyle’s cute previews on IG (yay Doyle’s!). First off, I love auctions and have been visiting Doyle’s NYC showroom since I was a little munchkin. My auction obsession has turned me into a provenance girlie. That is, I really care about the origin of the things I own. With consignment being such a popular way of acquiring new pieces these days (TRR, Vestiaire, all the places), the seller generally remains unknown post-purchase. But, in just a week from today, we will have the opportunity to fight for items owned by the icon of icons herself. EN GARDEEEEEEE!!!! 🤺

The auction will take place on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

It’s an online auction — the items are on display at Doyle’s UES location throughout the weekend. They’ve split her estate into two collections: Part I and Part II, to be sold over the course of two days. Girl, when I tell you I have never been more pumped for an auction . . . I am counting down the days and strategizing my bidding approach with my Dad (an auction genius). What are they selling? Everything. I’m talking her ICONIC costume jewelry, her luxurious fox fur jackets, and her cutsie homewares. Mark my words: I will end up with a piece of Iris.

My Favorite Lots from Doyle’s Iris Apfel Estate Auction

This was difficult because I am obsessed with 98% of the lots in this auction — there is SO MUCH good home in here. But, for now, I have selected my favorites among the jewelry/clothing pieces. Below are all from Part I, selling on Tuesday, March 4.

1. Ronald Amey Carnation Pink Wool Coat (Lot 26) estimated $400-$600. I mean . . . BURY me in this.

   

2. Assortment of Faux Pearl Jewelry (Lot 42) estimated $300-$500. You will never need to buy pearls again if you end up with this lot.

   

3. Animal Themed Brooches (Lot 49) estimated $200-$400. I got my eyes on this one so BACK OFF lol. I’m BULLISH on brooches — you can wear them conventionally as a brooch which is so cute or convert them into cool necklaces/bag embellishments. Love a brooch.

   

4. Red Fox Fur Shawl Coat (Lot 124) estimated $600-$800. Don’t @ me . . . it’s obvious the girlies want fur, even the WSJ is chatting about it. But hold up. Don’t you want IRIS’S FUR COAT? As opposed to some random one from TRR…I mean. Once in a lifetime opp. Or maybe this shearling one is more your vibe.

   

5. Collection of Patchwork Coats (Lot 131) estimated $300-$500. I mean. Add a super colorful bag & jeans or even black leggings like these and chunky boots.

   

6. Group of Multicolored Eyeglasses (Lot 135) estimated $100-$200. This is quintessential Iris. We the girlies are indeed wearing fake eyeglasses, so why not wear those worn by an eyewear icon? There are SO MANY lots like this and LOTS of big sunnies. Some of these glasses are calling

   tariro makoni
   ‘s name 🗣️🗣️🗣️

   

7. Rhinestone Crab Brooch (Lot 161) estimated $100-$200. I MEAN. You can’t be serious. But also back off because this is my child and I need him.

   

8. Group of Costume Rings (Lot 209) estimated $200-$400. My bet is that she had tiny fingers, so for all of you tiny finger girlies, POUNCE. NOW IS YOUR OPP. Also my birthday is in May and I have tiny fingers. Just saying.

9. Resin Ice Cream Sculptures (Lot 256) estimated $150-$300. This is not fashion, but who doesn’t want resin ice cream sculptures that were once in Iris Apfel’s home??

I am obsessed with Iris and live and breathe everything she did in her lifetime and stood for. Her eclectic approach not only revolutionized perceptions of high fashion but also inspired millions to embrace their own unique style. She was a style maven who transcended the rigid and traditional confines that dictated women’s fashion/home in the early/mid twentieth-century and always looked fierce while doing it. Her approach to personal style is that which I hope is not abandoned in an age where the general approach seems to be inching closer and closer to everyone dressing the same. In Iris we trust.

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TLDR: About Iris

Iris was born on August 29, 1921 in Queens and became a renowned fashion icon and maximalist style maven over the course of her extraordinary life. Her journey in the fashion world began with her unique sense of style and fearless approach, mixing high-end designer pieces with street finds in an effortlessly chic manner. Her career took off when she founded Old World Weavers, a textile company, with her husband Carl in 1951, which led to prestigious contracts, including work for the White House spanning nine presidencies.

Iris’s rise to global celebrity status came later in life, catalyzed by the 2005 exhibition "Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection" at the MET’s Costume Institute. This groundbreaking show (featuring pieces from her personal wardrobe) catapulted her into the spotlight and solidified her status as an ultimate fashion icon. Known for her oversized glasses, bold jewelry, and colorful ensembles that defied age and convention, Iris became a symbol of ageless style and individuality.

Iris always challenged norms with her approach to fashion and design. She embraced a maximalism and always layered varied textures, colors, and accessories to create fabulous outfits. Her style was characterized by an "anything goes" bravura, blending designer pieces with flea market finds and incorporating influences from around the world. This eclectic approach not only revolutionized perceptions of high fashion but also inspired millions to embrace their own unique style.

Iris being casual in her NYC apartment

Iris’s influence extended beyond fashion and trickled into the world of interior design, where she applied her maximalist philosophy to create vibrant, pattern-rich spaces. Her homes in NYC (peep AD article on her Manhattan apt) and Palm Beach were testaments to her daring, bold aesthetic, with every inch covered in ornaments, figurines, and eclectic decor. She called her the “geriatric startlet” and that she was — she signed a modeling contract and popped off with some incredible brand collabs (Kate Spade, Coach, H&M, etc.).

Honorable mention: H&M x Iris, April 2022.

Iris is the penultimate fashion icon in my eyes. She was unapologetically herself always and pushed for more women to take this POV. Iris passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 102. She continues to inspire people of all ages to express themselves boldly through fashion and design, embodying her philosophy that "more is more, and less is a bore.”

“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self expression and, above all, attitude.”

Notes taken. Thank you Iris, and I hope I am lucky enough to end up with your scrumptious crab brooch.

🩷🩵,
Paige