Iris Apfel was born August 29, 1921 in Astoria, Queens, New York
She is an American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon.
She studied art history at New York University and attended art school at the University of Wisconsin. As a young woman, Apfel worked for Women's Wear Daily and for interior designer Elinor Johnson. She also was an assistant to illustrator Robert Goodman.

In 1948, she married Carl Apfel. Two years later they launched the textile firm Old World Weavers and ran it until they retired in 1992. During this time, Iris Apfel took part in several design restoration projects, including work at the White House for nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton. Apfel still consults and lectures about style and other fashion topics at the University of Texas at Austin.                         {source}

Presently, Iris has a makeup collection with MAC, she is working on glasses for Eye-Bobs, is on Home Shopping and on YOOX. {1}