Step aside, minimalists—your nemesis is having her moment. The late, great Iris Apfel, queen of maximalism and doyenne of unapologetic glamour, is back in the spotlight. Christie’s is set to auction her flamboyant trove of treasures in a sale as bold and joyous as the icon herself. Aptly named “Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel”, the auction features over 200 items dripping with Apfel’s trademark wit, wisdom, and world-spanning tastes.
From January 28 through February 13, you can bid on couture garments, statement jewelry, eclectic art, and furniture that once graced Apfel’s New York and Palm Beach homes. Her ethos? “More is more and less is a bore.” And who among us wouldn’t want a little more Iris in our lives?
Born in 1921 in Queens, New York, Apfel’s journey to iconhood began with childhood antique store outings and art history classes at NYU. Her bold career as co-founder of Old World Weavers brought her to the White House and around the globe, where she scoured markets for the vibrant accessories and fabrics that would define her style. She became a living masterpiece: oversized glasses, audacious jewelry, and a devil-may-care attitude about blending it all together.
The auction is a maximalist’s dream. Picture a Dior Haute Couture Feather Coat (estimate: $800–$1,200), Carolina Herrera’s playful Tri-Color Block Shirt Gown ($800–$1,200), and a dazzling case of eyeglass frames ($400–$600) designed by Apfel herself. Then there’s the furniture: a Victorian brass bird cage ($800–$1,200) with a beaded parrot model, a Chinese carved folding screen ($2,000–$3,000), and the pièce de résistance—a carved ostrich sculpture that doubles as a bar ($6,000–$8,000). Naturally, it comes with a Kermit the Frog plush.
Her collection’s artworks are equally quirky: European-style portraits of dogs and apes, a painting of Margarita Teresa of Spain ($1,500–$2,000), and gilded curios that would feel at home in a Wes Anderson film.
The items will first dazzle Florida audiences with exhibitions in Miami (January 24–25) and Palm Beach (January 29–31) before heading to Christie’s New York for a final bow February 8–13.
This sale is not just a testament to Apfel’s singular vision—it’s a celebration of individuality, color, and courage. As Iris herself would say, “Color can raise the dead.” Let her collection do just that.