UOVO Fashion was thrilled to take part in The RealReal’s RareFinds Archive Edit, celebrating the eclectic fashion and jewelry of style icon Iris Apfel.
A curated selection of the RareFinds: Iris Apfel Archive Edit were on view and available to shop online and at TheRealReal’s SoHo store from September 17th through October 1st, 2025. Along with The RealReal’s audience of 40 million, aficionados along with admirers, vintage lovers, and proponents of sustainable fashion were given an unprecedented level of access to Apfel’s iconic pieces.
UOVO worked closely with the estate and The RealReal to support the next life of many of Iris Apfel’s iconic pieces. “Through expert care and handling, and a deep knowledge of time periods, designers and collections, the UOVO team identified the provenance, authenticity and condition of each item and took meticulous steps to preserve Apfel’s collection, working to prevent deterioration that could compromise the aesthetic and monetary value,” said Brennan Lowery, UOVO Fashion General Manager. “The expert preservation in a climate-controlled facility and cataloguing by UOVO have been critical to retaining the quality and value of these pieces.” As noted in The RealReal’s 2025 Resale Report released earlier this month, there was a nearly 30% annual increase in its members searching for vintage clothing. In the report, The RealReal’s CEO & President, Rati Levesque, shared that “today, shoppers are not only defining their style through resale, they’re also considering resale value at the point of purchase.” In the current market, where resale value is becoming increasingly important to shoppers, UOVO provides critical services for fashion connoisseurs and collectors interested in preserving their garments for years to come.
The edit featured over 150 garments and over 250 pieces of jewelry from Apfel’s personal wardrobe. Shoppers were given access to iconic pieces at all price points, from fabulous costume jewelry to museum-quality haute couture, including:
- 1980s and 1990s power tailoring by Gianfranco Ferré, Galanos, Emanuel Ungaro, and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
- Statement outerwear pieces from Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ralph Rucci, and Michael Kors
- Rare designs from New York fashion legends like Todd Oldham and Willi Smith
- Other vintage finds from Versace, Moschino, Issey Miyake, Gucci by Tom Ford, and Christian Dior by John Galliano
This event followed major sales at Christie’s and Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers this past year, where connoisseurs and admirers of Apfel acquired hundreds of items, from couture garments to decorative art pieces from her New York and Palm Beach residences.
ABOUT IRIS APFEL
Born on August 29, 1921, and raised in Astoria, Queens, Iris Barrel Apfel was an influential authority on antique textiles, a fashion icon, and a self-described “geriatric starlet” who passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 102. Along with her husband Carl, she co-founded Old World Weavers, a textile manufacturing company that reproduced antique fabrics for a prestigious clientele, including nine White House administrations. Iris’s unique and maximalist style, characterized by oversized glasses, colorful outfits, and layers of jewelry, earned her global recognition after the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute featured her personal collection in a 2005 exhibit. The blockbuster show, Rara Avis: The Irreverent Iris Apfel, made her an instant celebrity and showcased her eclectic collection, which famously mixed high fashion, including couture pieces, with finds from flea markets and small businesses. This newfound fame led to a modeling career in her 90s, numerous brand collaborations, and a Barbie doll made in her image. The subject of an award-winning documentary and author of the book Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon, she inspired millions with her vivacity, wit, and playful approach to life, famously encapsulated in her belief that “more is more, and less is a bore.”
ABOUT THE REALREAL, INC.
The RealReal is the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, resale luxury goods, serving over 40 million members. The platform employs a rigorous authentication process with in-house experts in various categories, including gemology, horology, and brand authentication, inspecting thousands of items daily. As a company committed to sustainability, The RealReal supports the circular economy by extending the life of luxury items across categories such as fashion, jewelry, watches, art, and home goods. The company offers various selling options, including virtual appointments, in-home pickup, drop-off, and direct shipping, handling the entire process from authentication and pricing to photography, listing, shipping, and customer service for consignors.
ABOUT UOVO: ART, FASHION, WINE
UOVO: Art, Fashion, Wine is the premier luxury storage and logistics provider for fine art, fashion, and wine. With 30 locations across the U.S. and counting, our expert team of industry professionals offers bespoke solutions to meet the specialized needs of any collection. UOVO offers comprehensive stewardship of both world-class commercial and personal collections at our purpose-designed, state-of-the-art facilities. From maintenance, preservation, archiving, cataloging, to shipping, storage, and installation, UOVO goes beyond storage to create a unique experience on par with elite hospitality, managed through one-to-one personal relationships and full digital optimization.