Essay - Iris Apfel Clothing Designer Iris Apfel May be in Her...

Iris Apfel

Clothing designer Iris ***** may be in her 80s, but ***** clothing is just as much for today's women as it would be in the p*****t...maybe, even more so. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Rara Avis (meaning rare bird): The Iris Apfel Dress and Accessory Collection September 13, 2005 - January 22, 2006 pays homage to the fashions, textiles, ***** interior designs of this "head-of-her-times" *****.

Iris Barrel *****'s clothing are designed eclectically and far from the ordinary due to the addition of thrift shop, second-h***** and antique-s*****re accoutrements to the top designers' *****. Her link of bargain basement with haute couture is created with amazing flair yet distinguished taste. She interweaves an array of hues, textures and patterns without any allegiance to era, origin, or convention, but everything w*****ks together as if it w***** completely made to do so. For nearly 50 years, she has demonstrated a per*****n*****l mode that is both frolicsome and ***** the right degree of eccentric.

***** creativity is usually seen in combinations of high and low fashions. Actually, she introduced the concept of "high/low" dressing or pairing high-end designer pieces with generic thrift-st*****e finds in the 1950s, getting a jump on one of the defining character*****tics of 21st century style. There are Dior styles adorned with flea market finds as well ***** 19th-century ecclesiastical vestments ***** Dolce & Gabbana lizard trousers. Ironically, Apfel's mix of vintage and *****rn can blend with period pieces or the newest runway releases.

This museum exhibition, established and run by the Costume Institute, includes 80 ***** access*****ized ensembles from ***** 1950s to the present displayed as they were originally worn and styled by Apfel.

***** of the unique pieces include upholstery fabric from 1965 ***** Old World Weavers (an international textile manufacturing company that she founded with her husband, Carl), ***** an orange and brown tiger-striped handwoven silk face on linen warp--Boots as well as coat and bag (on left). House of Lanvin gown, circa 1985, gold, brown and gray silk taffeta; Bhutan arm bracelet, late 19th century, silver and amber; Tibet cuff bracelet with late ***** century, silver, amber, coral and turquoise; and Tibet necklaces, early 20th century, silver, amber, ***** and turquoise (on *****). Geoffrey Beene jumpsuit, circa 1982 in ***** wool; Native American brooch, 1980s, silver ***** ***** Native American belt, 1980s, silver and turquoise; Italian *****s, 1970s, silver and ceramic (above).

Apfel says her highly original style is due to her c*****stant desire to take a wonderful designer piece ***** build on it to make it fun and special. "One can change the entire look of an outfit by substituting one accessory for ano*****r. I love objects ***** different worlds, different er*****, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving - hopefully ***** a kind of throwa***** chic," ***** states (Mehl). One such totally eclectic and wild and frivolous outfit consisted of embroidered silk wedding skirt with an English cashmere sweater and ***** handmade glove-leather boots. Since she has been shopping ***** herself before even