When Iris Apfel invited me on a shopping trip I screamed a bit inside because I am possibly the fashion icon's biggest fan. I once had an Iris Apfel-themed party where everyone wore giant rounded spectacles and their body weight in bangles and costume jewellery. A photograph of Iris lying on a chaise lounge in her fabulous New York apartment, surrounded by her prized teddy bear collection is framed above my desk at home. I love her acerbic wit, and her joyful approach to style. Despite always looking like a work of art herself her attitude to fashion is refreshingly unpretentious; 'Wear what you like', is her philosophy, as long as it makes you feel good about yourself.
So when the call came inviting me to take a turn around J Crew on Regent Street with the nonagenarian I could barely contain myself. We talked about working in fashion, feminism, and the price of teddy bears.
It was such an honour to meet Iris (and hold her walking stick!), even though she was exhausted - she had been up until midnight at a party the night before and was awake at 6am for a morning TV chat show. What a legend!
(And she told me I looked great, which has obviously made my life.)
Iris the documentary is now showing at cinemas across the UK.
