Press Details: Apfelicious! • The Iris Apfel Sale
A three-day “last-chance” auction and the final chapter celebrating the legendary life and style of Iris Apfel, featuring over 1,100 lots from her New York and Palm Beach homes.
Step Inside Iris’ World
Millea Bros. presents Apfelicious! • The Iris Apfel Sale, a once-in-a-lifetime auction celebrating the incomparable Iris Apfel — style icon, tastemaker, and design-world firecracker.
From October 15–17, 2025, over 1,100 lots from Iris’s New York City apartments, Palm Beach residence, and personal storage collections will be offered in a single-owner sale unlike any other. The auction invites collectors and admirers alike to experience Iris’s joyful world of color, pattern, and personality — and to take home a piece of her unmistakable vision.
In Iris’ Words:
“More is more and less is a bore.”
— Iris Apfel
Event at a Glance
| Dates | October 15–17, 2025 |
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| Auction Times | 10:00 AM ET daily |
| Location | Millea Bros. Gallery — 607 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton, NJ |
| Preview | October 13–17 (see full hours below) |
| Bidding Options | In-gallery, by phone, and online |
| Livestream | Experience the auction live at milleabros.com |
About the Sale
Apfelicious! • The Iris Apfel Sale marks the final chapter in the public celebration of Iris’s remarkable life and legacy. While select items from her estate have appeared in previous sales, this event presents the most comprehensive offering to date — spanning her residences, wardrobes, and private collections.
Each item reflects her philosophy of self-expression through design: a joyful mix of color, texture, humor, and heritage. Among the highlights are:
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Vintage and contemporary fashion, including couture and costume jewelry pieces famously featured in Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2005–06).
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Chinese textiles — rank badges, robes, and fans — many previously exhibited in Dragon Threads at the Newark Museum (1992).
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Native American clothing, accessories, and Kachina dolls, alongside Haitian and Northwest Coast art.
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French and Continental furniture, Venetian hand-painted pieces, and decorative porcelains.
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Old World Weavers fabrics and trims, designed by Iris and her late husband, Carl Apfel.
Importantly, this is a sale meant to be lived with. Many items carry modest estimates, making it accessible to seasoned collectors and first-time buyers alike. It’s not just an auction — it’s a chance to bring home a piece of Iris’s spirit.
Preview Hours
Millea Bros. Gallery – 607 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton, NJ
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Monday, October 13: 11 AM – 7 PM
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Tuesday, October 14: 11 AM – 5 PM
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Wednesday, October 15: 9 AM – 5 PM
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Thursday, October 16: 9 AM – 5 PM
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Friday, October 17: 9 AM – 10 AM
Experience the Auction
Collectors can join in-gallery, by phone, or online via the Millea Bros. signature livestream. Designed to be immersive and entertaining, the livestream offers viewers the energy and excitement of being in the room — from anywhere in the world.
LINK: View Full Catalog – Over 1,000 Lots →
LINK: Register to Bid →
Press & Media Resources
There are over 50,000 US-based searches per month for the search phrase “Iris Apfel” and related searches. Public interest in content related to Iris remains high.
Photo Usage: Please credit all images to Millea Bros. Ltd. unless otherwise noted.
About Iris Apfel
Known for her unmistakable eyewear, bold jewelry, and fearless use of color, Iris Apfel was more than a fashion icon — she was a cultural phenomenon.
Her career spanned interior design, textile innovation, and style advocacy, earning her global recognition as a muse, collector, and original thinker. She co-founded Old World Weavers, restoring fabrics for the White House across nine administrations, and her wardrobe was immortalized in exhibitions and the acclaimed documentary Iris (2014).
“Style is attitude. It’s not what you wear, but how you wear it.”
— Iris Apfel
About Millea Bros.
Click for high-resolution logo.
Founded in 2003 by Mark and Michael Millea, Millea Bros. Ltd. is a leading auction house specializing in fine and decorative arts, jewelry, and single-owner estate sales. Based in Boonton, New Jersey, the firm is known for its thoughtful curation, museum-level cataloging, and engaging live auction experiences.
Millea Bros. has handled collections from notable estates including fashion icons, designers, and artists — each sale offering a distinctive narrative that connects collectors with the stories behind the objects.
LINK: Learn More About Millea Bros. →
Press Contact
Press Inquiries:
Mark Millea
Phone: 973.377.1500
Email: mark@milleabros.com