Iris Apfel Archive Edit opens in SoHo as fashion lovers raid 102-year-old icon's wardrobe

A curated estate sale of Iris Apfel’s wardrobe has opened at The RealReal’s SoHo flagship, drawing fashion lovers to a trove of hundreds of garments and pieces of statement jewelry from the late style icon’s personal collection. The RareFinds: Iris Apfel Archive Edit, as the sale is titled, is open for in-person viewing through Oct. 1 or while supplies last, and it follows a year in which Apfel’s legacy has continued to reverberate across fashion, design and popular culture. Apfel, who died in March 2024 at age 102, built a reputation as a fearless maximalist with oversized glasses, layered necklaces and a fearless willingness to mix flea-market finds with couture.

The sale is being meticulously cataloged and authenticated by UOVO Fashion in partnership with The RealReal and Apfel’s estate, a step that organizers say helps preserve provenance and condition as interest in Apfel’s style remains high. Pieces span decades of Apfel’s life in New York’s social scene and beyond, with items from Gianfranco Ferré, Ungaro and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche alongside outerwear from Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Michael Kors and Ralph Rucci. The lineup also includes rarities from New York fashion legends Todd Oldham and Willi Smith, reflecting Apfel’s influential circle long before she reached mainstream fame in her 80s.

Among the standouts is a custom vest in the ferocious Le Tigre print by Franco Scalamandré, priced at $345, and a vintage Moschino pair of pants listed at $275. The collection also features a three-strand beaded necklace, sets of vibrant floral jackets, and an array of scarves and jewelry that mirror Apfel’s pivotal taste for color, scale and sparkle. By presenting the items in a way that nods to how Apfel herself layered and styled outfits, RealReal officials say shoppers can imagine how pieces might live in real life, not just in a display case.

For longtime Apfel fans, the sale is a chance to own a tangible fragment of her living philosophy. “She kind of represents, to me, the embodiment of being joyful and enjoying maximalism,” said Belle Bakst, a Manhattan resident who attended the preview and bought a hot-pink, vintage Monies bracelet for $125. “Especially because now I think minimalism is more trendy. It was really refreshing to see someone who embraced maximalism to its full extent, so embraced by the public.” Bakst recalled sprinting through the showroom, drawn by the same energy that defined Apfel’s best-known outfits.

Another visitor, Nancy Cavaliere of Jackson Heights, has described Apfel’s wardrobe as a living museum that invites touch. “It’s basically like you’re going to a museum, but they’re letting you touch the Mona Lisa, you know?” Cavaliere told The Post. “This is my Super Bowl.” The comments underscore how Apfel’s influence persists, not only through glossy photographs and museum shows but through the very act of shopping for pieces that carry her touch.

The sale also reflects Apfel’s broader cultural reach. Her appearance in fashion and beauty collabs, a line with HSN, and a Barbie doll in her likeness helped push her into the mainstream at age 84, after the Met’s 2005 exhibition “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection” drew万 global attention. The RealReal notes that the collection spans decades of Apfel’s public life, from early career looks to later collaborations, providing a window into how she built her signature wardrobe, one vibrant piece at a time.

The RealReal has emphasized that many of the pieces carry extensive provenance, aiding collectors who seek context for how Apfel styled outfits. Kristen Bateman, a New York native and admirer who has been researching and reselling Apfel-inspired items, describes the estate as a treasure trove that can be explored with scholarly care as well as personal flair. Bateman, who resells through her DollChunk site, notes that the sale’s range makes it accessible to a broader audience than many high-end auctions; some items are priced to be within reach of first-time buyers who want a piece of Apfel’s story without paying top-tier auction estimates.

The collection’s presentation has drawn praise for making the real-world experience of Apfel’s approach feel tangible, with mannequins and styling that echo how she might have combined outfits. “She embodied joy and maximalism,” added Bakst, noting that the display itself helps visitors feel connected to Apfel’s method of layering and color coordination. The sale has attracted shoppers who remember Apfel as well as younger fans who discovered her after museum shows, collaborations, and media coverage.

For fans and collectors alike, the archive sale represents both a celebration of Apfel’s enduring impact and a practical path to acquiring pieces with a clear lineage. Christie’s and Doyle Auctions conducted earlier sales this year that fetched tens of thousands of dollars for select items, underscoring the financial interest in Apfel’s wardrobe. Yet the SoHo sale also offers accessible items, from bracelets to patterned jackets, that invite new generations to adopt Apfel’s fearless approach to fashion without overhauling a wardrobe overnight.

As the three-way partnership between The RealReal, Apfel’s estate and UOVO Fashion continues to curate and authenticate, buyers can expect a continuously updated flow of items until Oct. 1 or until stocks run out. The sale is part of a broader cultural revival surrounding Apfel’s iconic status and her message that style is a joyful, creative act that can be practiced by anyone willing to experiment. Whether viewed as a museum-quality collection or a living, wearable archive, The RareFinds: Iris Apfel Archive Edit invites the public to participate in the legacy of a woman who reshaped how the world dresses for daily life and for celebration alike.