A True Yunatic
Some people do not simply wear clothes.
They compose identities.
Iris Apfel was more than a style icon. She was a vivid celebration of colour, character and fearless self-expression. With her oversized glasses, layered jewellery, vibrant patterns and unmistakable presence, she turned dressing into an act of joy.
Her style was not about trends.
It was about personality.
Memory. Wit. Courage. Play.
Iris reminded the world that life is too short to disappear into sameness. Her legacy invites us to see self-expression not as vanity, but as vitality: a way of showing up fully, with humour, confidence and curiosity.
The Inner Child
The inner child we associate with Iris was playful, independent and endlessly curious.
It saw the world as a cabinet of treasures.
A necklace could become a story.
A pair of glasses could become a signature.
A colour could become a mood.
An outfit could become a small daily celebration.
This childlike energy did not fade with age.
It became bolder.
Iris showed that growing older does not have to mean becoming quieter. It can mean becoming more yourself.
Tribbles
Iris’s tribbles are living lessons in fearless expression.
Iconic Style
Her layered, maximalist approach turned personal dressing into a recognisable language.
Signature Glasses
Her bold round frames became a symbol of individuality, wit and creative confidence.
Jewellery as Storytelling
Necklaces, bangles, beads and textures became more than accessories. They became rhythm, memory and personality.
Rara Avis at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A landmark exhibition that celebrated her collection and helped position personal style as living art.
Books & Documentary
Through books, interviews and the documentary Iris, she shared her humour, wisdom and appetite for life.
More as joy
Perhaps her deepest tribble: the idea that abundance, when personal and authentic, can become a form of freedom.
Connected with the Yuniverse
Iris’s connection to the Yuniverse lies in her refusal to become invisible.
She dressed not to impress, but to express. Her wardrobe was not a costume. It was a language made of colour, memory, travel, texture and delight.
For Yugening, this resonates deeply: identity is not something to flatten. It is something to celebrate.
Spaces, like people, can have character.
They can be layered.
They can be bold.
They can hold stories.
They can make life feel more alive.
Spiritual
There is something quietly spiritual in joyful self-expression.
Not spiritual as seriousness.
Spiritual as presence.
The presence to enjoy the moment.
The courage to be visible.
The humour to not take yourself too seriously.
The wisdom to know that beauty is personal before it is fashionable.
Iris Apfel reminds us that the most important thing we can ever wear is not a label.
It is our own fearless authenticity.