Monday 25 April 2011

Iris Apfel Inspirations

The Rare Bird!

This Easter break has yet given me time to rummage through my newspaper cuttings. I have a habit of collecting articles that interest me for my references and I am glad I have a reason to use them on my blog.

Anyone who is into style will love Iris Apfel is an American businesswoman, former interior designer, and fashion icon and she is 89 years old. Iris and her husband Carl Apfel owned a textile company called Old World Weavers in the 50's.


Iris has influenced the fashion industry with her spirited irreverence and of course her implacable taste. Iris also made it clear that she is no fashionista but into style.  Love that!

Traveling around the world, Iris fell in love with the beauty of non-Western dresses and their artisanal forms.
"She was a free spirit.  She wore Balenciaga, but she also wore Austrian peasant clothes.  She went to New Mexico and wore a native dress and she bought them directly from the chiefs."  


I thought this was funny; according to this magazine (telegraph) cutting, she talks about the Hollywood actresses "are being styled by people who should go into rehab".

I would describe the style as having creative freedom of dressing up or down without having to worry about what will the next trend or latest fashion. To top it up, it can also be dressed with a pinch of extravagant, elegance, and personality. Here is what I am talking about.




"Iris Apfel's idiosyncratic, exotic style has for decades been an inspiration to those who dare to look different. Now, at 85, her unique collection of clothes has been brought together in a remarkable book.  By Heather Hodson."





Iris and Carl


I relate so much with her style and what she is all about, well....... apart from a bank account that is! What really got me is, like me, loves bargain hunts and says that something beautiful does not have to be expensive and that it is more about taste than cost. How true is that!









Friday 8 April 2011

Gemstones From Tanzania



Tanzanite is a  rare gem found only in Northern Tanzania in the Arusha region close to Mount Kilimanjaro.  This gemstone is

named after its country Tanzania..


I own an amazing Tanzanite ring that keeps fascinating me.  The Tanzanite looks deep blue to me, but later discovered with movement, this stone gave me an array of beautiful colours.  I love it!!  In a conversation with Mohamed Mzava, who is in the mining industry, I can say; my knowledge of gems in Tanzania has greatly expanded.  Apart from the diamonds, golds and a few more, I now have seen pictures of Maasai moonstone, Tanzania moonstone, Green garnets and more.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised to know that there is much more than what I initially thought.  Tanzania a country on Sun, Sand & (now) Gems!!!


Tourmalines



Zircons

Find out more (images) of these gemstones from Mohamed Mzava's blog.
http://chamberstones.blogspot.com/
for more enquiries:  stonetown@hotmail.com