THE CITIZEN INDEX

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Inspiration: Iris Apfel is a Rare Bird

Style Icon Iris Apfel KNOWS how to mix her patterns
Aw, ya gotta love A Rare Bird.   I'm not even going to write about Iris Apfel, I just want to share this great image of her. She's been written about all over. If you don't recognize the name here's a quick wiki post about her. No stranger to mixology herself, Kelly Framel, aka the Glamourai has waxed poetic about this style icon many times. 1. 2. 3.

The recent tsk-tsking over my floral overkill over at Vogue Gone Rogue's fashion contest (which ends today by the way) in which a detester proclaimed "Citizen Rosebud is the ugliest combination I have ever seen" and that "something is missing from that picture, and its not a hat, but some Christmas lights," sparked a quick discussion of what was "fashionable." I maintain it takes ALL types, as for me style is about self-expression, and "ugly words" directed at someone who puts themselves out there is NEVER in style. BUT it got my mind rolling over my list of wonderful over-the-top dressing real life people, who inspire my style, who love expressing their unique selves. Iris Apfel's visage instantly popped into my mind. 
I absolutely LOVE her look, her way of dress. I don't expect everyone to love it, or to try to dress this way: it is a uniquely Iris. To me she looks like a woman who drinks in life, laughs often and has explored the world. I like those kind of people, people like Iris Apfel, who is for me, a very definite style inspiration.

19 comments:

mispapelicos said...

AMEN!!!! I couldn´t have put it better. She is stunning, and so are you. Real sourcers of inspiration.
Un abrazo amiga mía!!!!!!!!!!!

juniperjames said...

You inspire me. I wouldn't think to put together a look like your fall one. And if I did, I wouldn't dare to have the guts to wear it out, because it IS bold & extreme. Thanks for inspiring me with your warmth, encouragement & daring to be bold. It matters & it changes how people view themselves.

xoxo

stylenuggets said...

Oh yes Iris Apfel is a rare bird and one with tons of style. As are you, Bella.So don't worry about the naysayers. There's probably a lot of jealousy in them anyway.

Zabrinah said...

Really great post! She really is an inspiration, so unique and rare. All those colors--they are breathtaking!

~Zabrinah

kristy said...

she's really cute, i love her and her fashion!

ok so can we just discuss how shocked i was today when i was going through all the votes and i read that little uh... "discussion." i couldn't believe it! i hadn't been keeping tabs on the voting comments at all because it was just so overwhelming and i've been having a hectic week, and i'm so mad to have missed out on the discussion. i saw that you handled the situation admirably and in the end was able to turn her. for the record, i agree with you completely. i think fashion is entirely subjective. sometimes it is ugly, and i've said that very thing to people. but i didn't find your outfit for my blog event ugly at all. i found it totally inspiring and chic. your ability to mix prints is downright masterful and something that most people cannot do or pull off.

anyway, i am very glad that you were in the final five and was very happy to have your picture on my blog. you're an inspiration and true testament to what fashion blogging is all about. and as you said in one of your responses to that hater girl, it would be BORING if we all looked alike. and at the end of the day, you have a really well-defined personal style which is a lot more than i can say for most people. some people just don't know how to handle your fabulosity.

Vogue Gone Rogue

Anonymous said...

Rosebud--I am an admirer of Apfel and had never seen this video before--thank you! I especially like her big round glasses.

It's a shame what happened at Vogue gone Rogue.

janiece said...

How rude and narrow-minded those comments re your outfit were! Reflective of an unimaginative, dull, rule-following kind of mind. I despair. I love the floral craziness! More power to you. I'd rather be inspired by Iris than constricted by reactionary criticism any day.

theequinebovine said...

love this so much..one of my favorite Crosebud posts yet! love love love

tinyjunco said...

classy statement, Ms. Vogue Gone Rogue! personally, the main thing i love about style bloggers is PRECISELY the individuality and diversity and willingness to push boundaries. seriously, if no one is headed in a different direction than the one you usually take, you'll have a much harder time blazing your own trail. everyone knows the lead dog pulls the hardest, and we should give them the respect they deserve!

i love CR's fall outfit for the pattern mixing as well as the way it captures the norcal fall feel....more subtle and 'dried grassy' feeling than the eastern seaboard's strong colors. and that golden, scattered lite....yum! and thank you for the new info. on Ms. Apfel - i've only run across a little bit on her here and there and am looking forward to learning more!! steph

jemina said...

Darling, never mind those haters.
I dig and LOVE your style
Don't get those haters get you babe
and you are truly stunning with an even more stunning style

LOVE you dearly

Kisses
J
xoxo

A BRIT GREEK said...

Wow, that is style in a nutshell!
So bold and fresh and bloody cool as well.

x.o.x.o

the Citizen Rosebud said...

I couldn't agree more, my Brit Greek: Iris Apfel is a true style icon.

Thank you lovelies for all your words of support, and FOR YOUR VOTES!
Vogue Gone Rogue's contest is now ended, and my unofficial tally shows I did a good job representing, so thank-you each and every one of you who took the time to go over there and voted for me. As this was my first contest ever, I really enjoyed it, and so much of the fun was seeing my friends rally in my behalf.

Wishing you all a fabulous, style-filled weekend! xo. -Bella Q

Unknown said...

ALLRIGHT, WHO'S MESSING WITH MY PEEPS?
I LOVE YOUR STYLE, AND YOUR INSPIRING INFECTIOUS NATURE!!!!!!!!
SCREW THE HATERS- JEALOUS MUCH?
I ONLY LOOKED YESTERDAY TO SCROLL DOWN AND MAKE SURE MY VOTE WAS THERE, THEN I VOTED AGAIN ANYWAY ;)
IRIS USED TO BE ONE OF MY NUMEROUS WIDGETS ( AND THIS EXACT PHOTO! )...
KEEP ON ROCKIN YOUR STYLE, BABY.
WHY OH WHY DOES GOD ALLOW HATERS TO STILL EXIST?
KINDA LIKE THE MOSQUITO,
NO GOOD REASON I CAN SEE........
XxXxX
REVA

Anika http://www.byanika.com said...

thank you SO much for your lovely and supportive comment Bella, it means a lot to me. You are such an inspiration to me as well. I love htis post, Iris is amazing, personifying individual style with integrity. thanks for sharing!

<3 Anika
http://www.sweetfacedstyle.blogspot.com
Twitter: @AnikaSweetface

The Semi Sweet said...

You are so much nicer than I am. I would've told those nay-sayers to go eff themselves. Why do people put down others for their self expression. Are they not brave enough or do they lack some form of individualism. I loved your look. This is one of the reasons why I have grown to hate What Not to Wear. Sometimes they are down right mean to people who have their own style.

The Photodiarist said...

She's great. You are right . . . Kelly Framel is totally in love with her.

Heather Fonseca said...

I'm so sorry you got mean comments! That's really not nice, or necessary. It takes guts to put yourself out like that, especially because your look is different from what everybody else wears, but why spend time looking at what everybody wears? I'm not interested in boring outfits! I liked yours the best!

Anonymous said...

I love her! And LOVE is an understatement. I love the way you mix and match - don't ever stop!

Unknown said...

Wow that lady is bold. I'm glad I learned about her. Really really cool.