Eyewear e-commerce site Zenni has announced the launch of the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection, designed by the fashion icon Iris Apfel herself to celebrate her 100th birthday. The Silhouettes range from squares to cat-eyes. You can personalize each style with a variety lenses including progressives, readers, sunglasses and more.
“We’re over the moon that Iris has entrusted us to bring her design brilliance and passion for eyewear to millions of her fans and out fashion forward Zenni customers who want to embrace their inner Iris and toast her as the kicks off her Zentennial year,” said Michelle Ticknow, head of lifestyle and social impact partnerships at Zenni, in a statement. “We hope that the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection will inspire people to discover their unique style and have fun wearing their eyewear. This Zenni collection is ultra-luxe, but it’s priced to allow our customers to create an eyewear wardrobe that suits their passions, moods, and colours.”
Zenni product designers joined the fashion influencer at her home in Palm Beach to work on the designs, with Apfel lending her private collection of vintage frames, jewellery and artwork for inspiration. Apfel will also design the case and cloth for each frame in the collection.
Apfel said on the launch: “I think it’s important to be original and true to yourself. It can be boring to see people so similar when it comes down to style. I wanted to play a small role in making these glasses that could change people’s moods, and allow them to express themselves. Zenni customers are my favorite style icons. I am so happy to offer this gift to them.”
The eccentric fashion leader is not slowing down for her 100th year either. The Zenni collaboration is not the only thing that Apfel has done. She has also co-curated a range of homeware for Lowe’s Cos., and collaborated with Etsy to create a selection of her favorite items on the market. Fern Mallis’ interview series Fashion Icons: From the Archives will feature Apfel. The two will talk about Apfel’s past with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In addition to the collection, Zenni has also announced an exclusive giveaway through Instagram, where lucky winners will receive prizes signed by Iris Apfel and glasses from the collection.
