As Christie's preps for Iris Apfel auction, highlights go on display in Palm Beach
"Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel," presented by Christie's, features over 200 pieces of fashion, accessories and design.
Apfel, an iconic style-setter who wore oversized oval glasses, blue eyeshadow, feather boas, and chunky bangles up and down both arms, died in March 2024 at 102.
The online auction is open for bidding through Feb. 13, and select pieces from the collection will be on view through Friday at The Colony Hotel, 155 Hammon Ave.
"It's a fascinating collection that I think shows all the different facets of Iris Apfel," Nathalie Ferneau, junior specialist for Christie's Private & Iconic Collections, told the Daily News.
Fashion highlights from the sale include a feather coat by Dior haute couture, estimated to bring $800 to $1,200; a pink, red and yellow color-block shirtwaist gown by Carolina Herrera, ($800 to $1,200); and a case of 18 multicolored and patterned Iris Apfel X Zenni eyeglass frames ( $400 to $600).
The sale also offers decorative art pieces and items from Apfel's homes in Palm Beach and New York, including a carved "Gussy" ostrich-form bar from Italy, circa 1975, estimated to fetch $6,000 to $8,000.
A highly regarded collector and specialist in antique textiles, Apfel began her career as a decorator and was instrumental in prestigious restoration projects, including those at the White House.
Together with her husband, Carl, she co-founded Old World Weavers, an internationally renowned textile company. The couple later sold the company to Stark Carpets.
Carl Apfel died in 2015 at 100.
"Iris occupies a really special place in both the fashion world and in popular culture," Ferneau said. "She was effortlessly herself throughout her life, which is something that I think is rare. And I think it's really rare also to have someone enter the limelight at that stage of life. She didn't really become a household name until 2005, and she just continued to gain popularity from there. I think it's really inspiring to see someone be so unapologetically themselves through their life and to really be rewarded for that originality, especially as an older woman."
The Colony Hotel is the second of three locations that will showcase select highlights from the Apfel sale.
Christie's in the Miami Design District featured pieces from the collection Jan. 24 and 25, and Christie's at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City will display select items Feb. 8-13.
Palm Beach was an ideal location to display a portion of the Apfel collection because the market is "critical" for Christie's, said Cathy Busch, deputy chairman for Christie's Americas.
"Our most important clients are here, and so we want to be where they are, spending time with them, engaging with them, discussing the art market and having conversations with our team," she said. "As we have in previous years, we're thrilled to bring highlights from sales and bring the best of Christie's to Palm Beach when it applies, like Iris. We are just so happy to be engaging the Palm Beach community supporting cultural institutions and charitable causes."
Thirteen lots featuring approximately 45 items are on display at The Colony Hotel, Ferneau said. Admission is free and open to the public. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To browse or place a bid in the online auction, visit onlineonly.christies.com/s/unapologetically-iris-collection-iris-apfel/lots/3819.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: See some of Iris Apfel's iconic wardrobe before it goes to auction
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