The year was 1950, and Harry S. Truman was the thirty-third President of the United States, when Carl and Iris Apfel started their company Old World Weavers. The Apfels sold Old World Weavers to Stark Carpet. During Mrs. Apfel’s distinguished career at Old World Weavers, she was a part of many interior design restoration projects including work at the White House under nine different U.S. Presidents. Some of Iris Apfel’s other prominent clients included Estee Lauder and Greta Garbo.
Iris Apfel with Lori J. Durante, Executive Director-Chief Curator of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History
The philanthropist and internationally famous, Iris Apfel has had a career in interior design for over 70 years beginning when she founded with her late husband Carl Apfel, Old World Weavers in New York City, which is a globally acclaimed textile design and manufacturing company. The year was 1950, and Harry S. Truman was the thirty-third President of the United States, when Carl and Iris Apfel started their company Old World Weavers. During Mrs. Apfel’s distinguished career at Old World Weavers, she was a part of many interior design restoration projects including work at the White House during the presidency of nine different U.S. Presidents.
Iris Apfel is a self-proclaimed ‘geriatric starlet’. A centenarian, Iris Apfel is recognizable by the distinctive fashion style of clothing and signature style of eyeglasses that she wears. Even at her current age of 101, she still works in design from luxury appliances to footwear from rugs. In the fashion world, Iris Apfel is currently featured on magazine covers showcasing her iconic style.
