Iris is a documentary about Iris Apfel, an over 90 design icon who is famous for interior design and restoration and her vast personal collection of costume jewelry, clothes and furnishing which was featured by the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has been married for over 67 years to Carl Apfel, who is now over 100! She is visibly eccentric. Her exterior reflects her personal philosophy of being herself and not being a slave to convention.
Iris is the last film directed by Albert Maysles, who is famous for Grey Gardens, which he made with his brother David. Iris gives the viewer more of a general sense of her personality, her active daily work and home life and does not provide a comprehensive history of her life, but snapshots and commentary to give the viewer a sense of her adventurous and energetic spirit. Even though Iris is only 80 minutes long, it could have been shorter. Towards the end, it feels a bit lost and meandering. Iris is not Maysles’ strongest work, but it is a must see if you must see all his films or are interested in Iris Apfel.
Iris unwittingly comments on race and culture in US. Even though Iris Apfel faced obstacles in achieving her unique sense of style (as a woman, it was difficult to get jeans), she receives a deference, respect and the title of expert which is not given to those ethnic originators that she popularizes and explicitly attributes for her sense of style. Those ethnic originators include African salesman in Harlem. Iris shows how African Americans consult with her on what is appropriate to wear whereas if they did not have her permission to dress unconsciously ethnically, it would not be viewed as appropriate, but ethnic fashion is appropriate because Iris Apfel validates and Westernizes it. Please note that Apfel would be the first person to reject any need for validation of personal style yet Americans need her permission to embrace ethnic fashions. I am curious to find out if those African Americans received any criticism for Apfel’s choices from people unaware of her influence.