Iris Apfel’s personal collection is being auctioned on Christie’s

Iris Apfel needs no introduction. If there’s anyone who knows how to live life to the fullest, even at 102, it’s Iris. A celebrated American interior designer, businesswoman, and fashion icon, she is a name that resonates with timeless style and bold creativity. Known for her eccentric, fearless fashion choices and signature oversized glasses, she has become a style icon for the ages. She was undeniably a trendsetter, instantly recognizable by her oversized oval glasses, blue eyeshadow, feather boas, and arms adorned with chunky bangles. Her originality was unmatched, with a distinctive style characterized by an eclectic mix of high and low fashion, harmoniously blending couture with flea market discoveries. With a career spanning decades, from interior design to fashion collaborations, Iris’s approach to style is a masterclass in mixing the unexpected. Whether it’s her love for vintage treasures or her unapologetic attitude toward fashion.  In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art held an exhibition of her personal collection, showcasing her remarkable fashion sense.

This year, fans of Iris will have the chance to own a piece of fashion history. Christie’s, one of the world’s leading auction houses, is auctioning some of Iris’s personal wardrobe in an online auction titled Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel. The auction, which runs from January 28 to February 13, 2025, will feature over 200 items from Iris’s legendary collection of fashion, accessories, and interior design pieces. The items span from the 1950s to the present day, showcasing her unique and fearless approach to both fashion and design.

Some of the key highlights from the auction include a Dior Haute Couture Feather Coat, estimated between $800-1,200, a vibrant Pink, Red, and Yellow Color Block Shirt Gown by Carolina Herrera, also estimated between $800-1,200, and a set of 18 Multicolor and Patterned Iris Apfel X Zenni Eyeglass Frames, estimated between $400-600.

But Iris’s influence goes beyond just fashion. This auction will also highlight her passion for interior design. It includes decorative art pieces and items from her homes in New York City and Palm Beach. Among the items is a Carved Ostrich-form Bar ‘Gussy’ from Italy, circa 1975, estimated to sell for between $6,000-8,000.

For those who want to see the items in person, Christie’s will display select highlights in Florida at their Miami location from January 23 to 25 and in Palm Beach at The Colony Hotel from January 29 to 31. The full collection will be on view at Christie’s New York from February 8 to 13, 2025. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Iris Apfel’s extraordinary world.

Viewing Times:

• Palm Beach: January 29–31, 2025, The Colony Hotel, 155 Hammon Ave, Palm Beach, FL
• New York: February 8–13, 2025, Christie’s, 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY