Iris Apfel: I adore Roger Vivier

Iris Apfel has spent hours “drooling” over Roger Vivier shoes.

The 90-year-old fashion icon has been collecting footwear her whole life, with her closet becoming legendary over the last few years.

Shoes have always had a special place in her heart, with Iris getting pairs made all over the world. She used to travel the globe with her husband Carl as part of their textile company, and there was one place which always got her excited.

“My god, I adore that man,” she said of Roger Vivier. “When I was young and would go to Paris twice a year in the early 1950s, the first thing I did was sling my bags and run over to drool in front of his shop window.”

Iris doesn’t believe in throwing things away. Her clothing collection was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City several years ago and she has footwear dating back years.

“I have a pair of shoes I’ve had since before I was married, and we’ll be married 64 years this month,” she told Footwear News. “They’re Ferragamo and so fabulous. They’re on a very interesting wedge with brown suede and snake trim.

“Naples, Italy, was a big shoe centre. There were a number of streets where nothing but findings and heels were sold. I used to creep around and buy the most fanciful heels and then try to design something to go with the heels. I had very avant-garde shoes.”

Iris thinks it’s important not to get carried away with trends. If something is viewed stylish by many, she usually goes in the opposite direction.

“If you have your own style, you can wear anything forever. I don’t care about being trendy, so for me, I wear pointy toes if round toes are in. It doesn’t make any difference to me [as long as] I like it,” she said.

“Those big platforms and insanely high heels [are the worst trend]. They look like an orthopaedist’s delight. I don’t see anything beautiful about them.”