Living with Style, People, Places & Spaces, The Newport Diary


A Revealing Interview with Iris Apfel

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

iris-interview

After the sheer pleasure of spending the weekend with this self-described “oldest living teenager,” and capturing her spirit and wisdom in a video interview, what are my personal impressions of Iris?

She is truly and genuinely interested in others, a natural offshoot of a vivid curiosity. And no surprise, in her own words, “I try to get as much of a kick out of things as possible.” Iris is a gifted conversationalist, who is comfortable with giving sincere compliments, and often. She’s gentle and always at ease, gracious, and the proverbial “frosting on the cake”… she has no hint of an attitude! At 95, and wearing it well, she has not lost her moral compass and that’s saying a lot.

Throngs of us are taking as many pages from her book as fast as we can.



Thank you Iris for all your inspiration!


Video by, Sky Sabin Productions.

If you enjoy this article, please share it!

About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

7 thoughts on “A Revealing Interview with Iris Apfel

  1. Iris does have the understanding of true fashion. Amazing what is in the closet on a relook.
    Just found two skirts from Mountain Artisans, a 60’s quilting company from West Virginia
    sponsored by Sharon Rockefeller that sold to Bergdorf from a suitcase BIG. Have just the occasion coming up for a replay. New Orvis t shirt and off I go. This is more than a little conversation starter at a party for the new President of Hanesbrands.
    Did put a safety stitch in the waist band.
    You are charming Bettie and thanks for sharing Iris.
    Lynn Ziglar
    Atlanta

  2. WELL,
    I feel I have a FEW things in common with IRIS………Love of JEWELRY and DRESSING!
    Her words are SO TRUE………..”COURAGE and INDIVIDUALITY.”
    I find YOU MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY when YOU DRESS with a dash of FLAIR!
    IRIS, made YOU ALL SO HAPPY and how wonderful SHE had NEVER been to NEWPORT and made it to your SOIREE!I too had NEVER been to NEWPORT and made it within a weeks time of each other! One more thing to ADD to the LIST!!!!
    Had I seen her walking about in one of those HOMES my trip which was already ABOVE & BEYOND would have been the TOPPING on the CAKE!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRIS!
    THANK YOU for BEING YOU!!!!!!!!
    XX

  3. Ha ha ha I just love her. We need more people like her.
    Thank you for the gift of the interview Bettie.
    xO

Comments are closed.