New York –
May 8, 2012– Iris Apfel today announced the debut of her
first luxury handbag collection, Extinctions by Iris
Apfel. The brand will be unveiled during May market in
conjunction with its May 8th launch party taking
place at the Empire Room in New York City.
Throughout the years, Ms. Apfel would frequently work with
craftsman in Europe to create Mongolian lamb items such as
coats, vests, and even decorative pillows. Since Mongolian
lamb handbags were so difficult to find, she decided to
create her own by partnering with Lisa Nunziata, President
of L & Leung Design Group.
Iris and Lisa embarked upon a mission to deliver a
well-designed collection with the intrinsic qualities of
“Old World” craftsmanship and fine detail. “We agreed that
edgy aesthetics and impeccable quality should go hand in
hand. We pride ourselves on our ability to translate Iris’s
signature iconic flair into beautifully designed product,”
explains Nunziata.
The two agreed that this mindset is part of a lost breed.
Thus the name “Extinctions” was born.
This special collection is timeless, suitable for women ages
19-90. “Appreciation for Extinctions is more about
style sensibility than age,” adds Apfel.
“
This initial collection will consist of a wide array of
stylish silhouettes in Mongolian lamb, haircalf and
snakeskin. The designs reflect her unmistakable wittiness
and keen aesthetics. From crossbody buckets resembling a
fabulous boa to ultra-chic satchels with gold and leather
straps, the collection is truly very “Iris.” The palette has
a vintage influence including ruby, rusty orange, lapis
blue, emerald and of course black. Each handbag is
beautifully lined in one of her all-time favorite colors,
turquoise.
Extinctions by Iris Apfel
will be available in better department stores for Fall 2012.
Ms. Apfel was one of the first Americans to incorporate
Mongolian lamb into her design work. She discovered it on
one of her trips to Paris in the early ‘70’s. As she sat in
a taxi during rush hour traffic, she couldn’t take her eyes
off of a man carrying a Russian style hat and coat.
“I said to myself, I have to have that hat and coat—they are
stupendous. I jumped out of the taxi and
followed the young man down the block, into a building, and
onto the elevator. Turns out he was a
photographer, returning the pieces to Lanvin after a
magazine shoot. After the vendeuse accepted the hat and
coat, I asked her if I could purchase them. She gave me an
adamant ‘no’. I began to beg and plead. ‘Madame, she said,
this is for runway. I would be delighted to order you a
set.’ I begged and pleaded some more. After my obsessive
behavior she broke down and agreed to sell them to me, the
following day after the show.
As soon as I returned home, I put the hat and coat on. I
literally stopped traffic because nobody had seen anything
like it before. Since the hat was several shades of
grey—just like my hair at that particular time---you
couldn’t tell where I ended and the hat began. It was
fabulous,” recalls Apfel.”