Just one look at Iris Apfel and you’ll see why the flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old New Yorker is hailed as fashion’s style icon and muse. The quick-witted textiles/interior designer has worked alongside presidents, professors and photographers who have all marveled at her competence with colours. Famously stating that “more is more and less is a bore“, Iris Apfel is always adorned with large baubles, stacked bangles (now that’s an arm party!) and those signature round frames. She believes that to possess style, you need to know who you are. To Iris, style is both “self-expression” and “attitude“.

The quick-witted fashion icon is captured on film by legendary documentarian Albert Maysles (GREY GARDENS, GIMME SHELTER) in IRIS. This is a colourful story about creativity, design and how her soaring free spirit continues to inspire in all walks of life. IRIS portrays a woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life’s sustenance. Showcasing her idiosyncratic style, Iris Apfel reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment.

Here’s the trailer for your viewing pleasure:

This film is particularly close to my heart, because, like Iris, I too am an only child, I thrift shop and have been told that I’m not pretty and never will be. But Iris used these to her advantage, she became more interesting, attractive and stylish because she was told she “wasn’t pretty”. Iris considers herself as ‘the world’s oldest teenager’, still passionate about learning, loving and living. “”If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow and you will wither.” Now that’s sage advice.

To celebrate the release of IRIS, I’ve partnered up with Madman to give away 5 x IRIS double passes (RRP $36)! To win, simply leave a comment below telling us what style means to you. We will announce the winners on Friday 21 August 2015!

Here’s wishing you a wonderful weekend! I’ll leave you with my favourite Iris Apfel quote “When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.“