Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon
by Iris Apfel
Non-Fiction - Memoir/Fashion
Non-Fiction - Memoir/Fashion
176 pages
SUMMARY:
Iris Apfel shows off her wardrobe, jewelry and fashion sense in this book, which is a great combination of full page photos, stand alone quotes and traditional text pages. The traditional text pages contain advice and stories from her life. They are actually few and far between leaving the reader wanting more but still highly satisfied with what has been offered.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK:
Similar to Lilly Pulizer (although a different ascetic), Iris is a breath of fresh air and fun originality. She is the real deal creatively and is also shockingly mentally grounded. Not tawdry or lewd. This book is even free from the normal fashion pitfalls - she was married only once and enjoyed a long, happy marriage until her husband's death. She doesn't devote any pages to glorifying sexual deviance or alternative lifestyles. Art enhances her life but doesn't run it. Would I wear her clothes? Probably not. But seeing her and reading her advice compels me to think about my own fashion and dress intentionally and with joy. A great result!
She has a unique combination of whimsy and deep knowledge of fabrics and fashion design which elevates her off-the-wall choices. It's wacky, but there is something there. She clearly dresses for herself but with a cultivated eye which is refreshing.
Avant garde and off-beat but in a pleasing way. Not grotesque or intentionally disturbing. I loved her advice too. In one section, she talks about working to become accepted as part of a group and then once you are accepted, you can be pleasingly different within the group. She said it better but there was a lot of wisdom there.
Funny and unexpected. This is a book to be savored, not read in one sitting. Read a few sections, feel your mood rise and go on to something else before returning.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Fashionistas. Readers looking for inspiration and fun!
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