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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

IRIS
APFEL
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1 Warm up

This photo was taken at Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday party at Central Park Tower in New York. She died
two years later, in 2024.

Work in pairs to answer these questions.

1. Who do you think Iris Apfel was?

2. What work did she do?
3. How would you describe her look?

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2 Vocabulary
Choose the best word to complete each sentence. Explain your answers.

1. The combines / combinations of colours in those paintings really hurt my eyes!

2. The actors were dressed in beautiful historic costumes / customs.

3. My brother chose the curtains – he’s studying inside / interior design at college.

4. We factory / manufacture several types of products in my hometown.

5. Her new hair colour is really strict / striking.

6. You never know what valuable treasures / bargains you might find in an antique shop.

Match the words in bold in each sentence with their meanings.

1. I went to see the new spring couture collection, but there’s no way I’d ever be able to afford any
of the pieces.

2. Are you sure you want to wear a striped shirt with plaid trousers? The patterns clash!

3. What a cool outfit! I love the way the shirt, jacket and skirt are all made out of the same material.

4. The designer is using some really modern textiles for the sofa covers and curtains.

5. I knew it was really him because of his trademark smile.

6. If you really want to meet today’s trendsetters, you should talk to the students at art college.

a. something that a person does or has that makes it easy to recognise and identify them

b. people who start new fashions

c. clothes that are meant to be worn together or that someone has chosen to wear together

d. a synonym for cloth, fabric or material

e. expensive, fashionable clothing produced by a top designer or fashion house

f. look unattractive together

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3 Listening 1

You are going to listen to information about the life of Iris Apfel (1921-2024). Before you listen, read
the sentences and try to predict the best option. Then listen and check your ideas.

1. When she was growing up, the young Iris loved visiting clothes markets / department stores /
second-hand stores.

2. At university, she studied art / art history / history.

3. She and her husband designed interiors for Buckingham Palace / Elvis / the White House.

4. Apfel enjoyed wearing her collection of clothes at home / to parties / to work.

5. The glasses she wore made her look like a fly / Harry Potter / an owl.

6. Apfel became a model at the age of 79 / 88 / 97.

7. Her collection was given to a museum / inherited by her children / sold.

4 Language in context

Read these sentences from the recording and explain the meaning of the words in bold.

1. On her extensive travels abroad, Apfel picked up any unusual clothing, jewellery and accessories
which caught her fancy.

2. Visitors loved it and their rave reviews online made Apfel, then in her eighties, into a household
name.

Finish these sentences in a logical way. Compare answers in pairs.

1. The things that usually catch my fancy in a shop are ...

2. I would definitely give a rave review to ...

3. I’m sure ... is a household name in my country.

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5 Listening 2

Read the questions. Can you remember the answers? Listen again to check.

1. How did her parents influence her?

2. What was her first relevant work experience?

3. Where did the Apfels get the materials for their business?

4. What specific examples are given of Apfel’s unusual clothes?

5. What happened in 2005 and why?

6. How could people find out more about her in the 2010s?

7. What did Iris believe about style?

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6 Language point

You heard quite a few phrases with on and off in the recording. Complete the sentences with the
missing words.

course / displays / exhibition / nothing / rack / sales / side / sold / thing / travels

1. On the , she started to look for antiques and textiles to resell.

2. On her extensive abroad, Apfel picked up any unusual clothing, jewellery and
accessories ...

3. ... whether traditional or modern, designer or off-the- .

4. Apfel was fearless in her combinations, teaming casual pyjamas or a historic opera costume with
couture items and finishing the whole off with plenty of bling.

5. was off-limits – she was happy to wear clashing prints or costume jewellery even
to quite formal social occasions.

6. In 2005, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York based a travelling
on her clothing collection ...

7. She was easily recognisable with her trademark round “owl glasses,” which actually featured in an
Iris Apfel Halloween costume on one year.

8. ... (she) worked on window for top department stores, as well as teaching on a
fashion at the University of Texas.

9. Much of her enormous collection was off before she died so that others could
enjoy the items as much as she had.

Which phrase means ... ?

a. available for anyone to buy cheaply in shops, the opposite of couture:

b. complete the final part of an action:

c. forbidden or impossible:

d. make some or all of a business available to buy:

e. not as part of someone’s main job:

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7 Talking point

Discuss these questions in pairs or small groups.

1. What would you ask Apfel if you could meet her?

2. The older Apfel really caught the public’s attention. Do you think she could have done this as a
younger person?
3. What role do you think social media played in Apfel’s rise to fame?
4. Which of these Iris Apfel quotes do you like best and why?

"I’m not a pretty person. I don’t like pretty, so I don’t feel badly. Most of the world is not with
me, but I don’t care."

"When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else."

"Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself.

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8 Optional extension

These sixteen items all relate to jewellery and accessories and can be classified into four groups of four
items. How many connections can you spot immediately? Use your dictionary to help you complete
the activity.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

What other examples can you think of to add to each category?

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