Born Iris Barrel in to a Jewish family in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on August 29, 1921, Apfel was the only child of Samuel Barrel (1897–1967), whose family owned a glass and mirror business, and his Russian-bor… See more

As a young woman, Apfel worked as a copywriter for Women's Wear Daily, earning $15 a week, and for interior designer Elinor Johnson, decorating apartments for resale and honing her talent for sourcing rare items. She … See more