Iris Apfel with her husband, Carl, in Palm Beach.
Photo: Iris Apfel Archival Images
Discover Iris Apfel’s Iconic Bracelet Collections on Offer at Christie’s
The fashion maven's iconic accessories are headed to auction as carefully curated ensembles within a series of lots
What will the most coveted items in the highly anticipated “Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel” Christie’s sale be? Apfel’s legions of admirers and all manner of jewelry lovers almost certainly will be laser-focused on the bangles and bracelets that the late style icon famously piled on her wrists (the bolder and chunkier the better). The bangles—or more accurately, the bangle stacks—are the clear, standout feature of the online auction’s curation of fashion, accessories, textiles, and furnishings and seem destined to become the most enduring emblem of Apfel’s maximalist aesthetic and inventive approach to adornment.
The NYC fashion maven’s eyeglasses are perhaps equally emblematic (and thus, a likely must-have for those seeking a highly prized piece of Iris Apfel memorabilia) but for die-hard Apfelites, a collection of her bangles is the ultimate acquisition.
And they are expected to compete mightily for the privilege of owning a wearable reminder of her legacy.
The bracelets are not being offered as single pieces. Instead, Nathalie Ferneau, the specialist heading the sale, has organized the auction as a series of lots, each one containing a thoughtfully curated grouping of items. The lots might feature an abundant assortment of bracelets on their own or just a few presented alongside necklaces, brooches and other jewels in carefully assembled vignettes.
“Many of the ensembles are exact replicas of looks worn by Iris Apfel, while others pay homage to her signature layered style,” says Ferneau. “Iris left behind an incredible archive of source material, ranging from vintage Polaroids to red carpet photos, and it was a joy to delve into these treasures to recreate some of her most iconic looks.”
Iris Apfel in an undated photo. Photo: Iris Apfel Archival Images
Apfel, in a signature layered look. Photo: Iris Apfel Archival Images
The goal, she says, is for buyers “to embrace the spirit of mixing, matching, and most importantly, wearing their purchases.”
Besides the beguiling pastiche of colors, textures, shapes, and materials, the other detail that makes this auction such a uniquely enticing opportunity is the fact that many of the bracelet-centric lots are coming to the block with estimates of just a few $100. Even so, “I anticipate fierce competition for the jewelry lots,” says Ferneau. “When it came to acquiring pieces she loved, Iris had simple yet profound advice: ‘Feel it in your solar plexus. Then buy it, grab it, hold on to it. Don’t lose it.’”
Take a look at the bangles in the lots highlighted below and see if you feel a quiver of something, a spark that makes it impossible for you to look away. And if you do, our advice is to act swiftly and decisively. Surely Apfel would urge the same.
A collection of brightly colored bangles. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
1. A Selection of Brightly Colored Bangles:
Brightly colored bangles comprising some lucite, wrapped fabric, and beaded examples, of varying size and shape. Lot 12. Estimate: $200 to $300.
A group of multicolor lucite bangle bracelets. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
2. Selection of Cuffs and Bangles with Googly Eyes and Insects:
Four cuffs and one bangle with googly eyes and 10 bangles with insects, all various shapes, sizes, and colors; makers are Rara Avis by Iris Apfel and possibly Kolos Studio. Lot 14. Estimate: $300 to $500.
A group of five hand-carved lucite bangles. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
3. Hand-carved Lucite Bangles:
A group of give hand-carved lucite bangles, marked Alexis Bittar, 21st Century. Lot 16. Estimate: $200 to $300.
A selection of blue-tone, mixed material and lucite costume jewelry. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
4. Selection of Blue-tone Mixed Material and Lucite Costume Jewelry:
A selection of blue-tone mixed material and lucite costume jewelry; various makers, including Alexis Bittar, Armani Jeans, and Rara Avis. Lot 157. Estimate: $300 to $500.
A quantity of black bangles and necklaces. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
5. A Quantity of Black Bangles and Necklaces:
Black Monies necklace of plastic rings, painted recycled materials, buttons and beads with clasp closure, a Monies black stretch bracelet, six black wooden Gerard Yosca bangles (only one marked), a pair of flat grey bangles, a black resin bangle with iridescent insets, and a black and clear beaded necklace; makers include Monies, Gerard Yosca. Lot 213. Estimate: $500 to $800.
A large beaded basket of bangles. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Images
6. Large Beaded Basket of Bangles:
Lidded basket measuring 24-in. in diameter with multicolor beaded decoration depicting elephants and flowers, filled with bangles of assorted materials including resin, metal, tropical fruitwood, fabric, and leather. Lot 220. Estimate: $400 to $600.
Cover: Iris Apfel with her husband, Carl, in Palm Beach.
Photo: Iris Apfel Archival Images
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