Zenni Introduces the “Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection,” Designed by the Style Icon Herself in Celebration of Her 100th Birthday

The new fashion eyewear collection is now exclusively available on Zenni.com/Iris

NOVATO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zenni, the online eyewear retail leader, today announced the launch of a new fashion eyewear capsule, the “Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection,” designed exclusively for Zenni by the beloved fashion icon, world famous eyewear aficionado and self-proclaimed “geriatric starlet” Iris Apfel. The Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection includes five frame styles that in true Apfel fashion, are in bright hues and bold patterns with head-turning cat-eyes, round and square shapes.

Following the May launch of the Iris Apfel Edit, curated by Apfel to celebrate her first 100 years, this new capsule continues the celebration of Apfel’s upcoming centennial birthday, but with new styles designed by Apfel that start at just $45.95. The Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection includes 12 frames in wearable yet vivid colorways including cerulean, Serengeti, emerald green, mosaic, red and more. Each frame can be personalized with a variety of lenses including Zenni’s blue light protecting Blokz® lenses that can be added to any pair starting at $16.95. All frames are also available as sunglasses, progressives, readers and more.

“We’re over the moon that Iris has entrusted us to bring her design brilliance and passion for eyewear to millions of her fans and our fashion forward Zenni customers who want to embrace their inner Iris and toast her as she kicks off her Zentennial year,” said Michelle Ticknor, Head of Lifestyle and Social Impact Partnerships at Zenni. “We hope the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection inspires people to find their own unique style and have fun with their eyewear. Even though this is an ultra-luxe Zenni collection, it’s priced to help our customers build an eyewear wardrobe to suit every mood, passion and color palette.”

Creatives and product designers at Zenni worked directly with Apfel at her home in Palm Beach, Fla. to design the capsule. Iris lent her design inspiration by sharing vintage frames from her collection, favorite artwork, jewelry, textiles and apparel from her personal collection. Each frame in the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection also includes an exclusive case and cloth designed by Apfel that celebrates her milestone 100th birthday.

“I think it’s important to be original and true to yourself. People are so much the same these days when it comes to style, it can be so boring!” said Iris Apfel. “I tried to do my small part in helping make these glasses that can change people’s mood and help them express their genuine individuality. I’m so pleased to give Zenni customers this gift and hope it allows people to unapologetically celebrate their personal style, as everyone can be a style icon.”

This is the first capsule designed by Apfel as part of her multi-year exclusive partnership with Zenni. Additional capsules will be announced this holiday season, in early 2022 for Valentine’s Day and beyond. The campaign was shot once again by renowned fashion photographer Ruvén Afanador and includes a look book with additional storytelling and details about each of the styles in this capsule.

The Iris X Zenni collaboration is the latest fashion-focused partnership from Zenni, following the brand’s ongoing partnerships with actor, producer and glasses-wearer Rashida Jones and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.

Zenni will also host a special giveaway on Instagram on August 31, encouraging fans to embrace their #InnerIris for a chance to win prizes signed by Iris Apfel and glasses from the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection. For updates and more information on the Iris Apfel Zentennial Collection, visit Zenni.com/Iris. To keep up with Iris X Zenni and stay up to date on the fun, follow along on social: @Zennioptical, #IrisXZenni and Iris Apfel’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

About Zenni

Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make prescription eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zenni offers men, women, and children the freedom to express their personal style through high-quality prescription and protective eyewear curated with a sense for fashion and incredible selection. With complete prescription pairs starting at just $6.95, and averaging just over $40, the company has brought massive price disruption to the traditional retail model. With over 40 million frames sold worldwide, a pair of Zennis is owned in every country across the globe. Zenni is proud to be the exclusive eyewear partner of Iris Apfel, as well as the Official Eyewear of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Red Sox, Call of Duty League and the Chicago Bulls. Zenni has also previously partnered with actor and producer Rashida Jones, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, and eyewear designers Coco & Breezy on exclusive campaigns. For more information, please visit Zenni.com/Press.

About Iris Apfel

Self-described as “the world’s oldest living teenager,” Iris Apfel had made an iconic mark for herself in the elite fashion realm. By trade, Iris spent her career as an interior designer working on design restoration projects, specifically including her work at the White House — crossing nine presidents. At a spry and active 98 years old, Iris released her autobiographical coloring book titled IRIS The Coloring Book, which encapsulates the many years of the fashion darling’s life in sixteen pages of whimsical drawings and witty sayings. Iris also released a book IRIS APFEL: ACCIDENTAL ICON, MUSINGS OF A GERIATRIC STARLET in 2018. Iris currently has a fashion capsule collection on HSN and sells home goods exclusively with Grandin Road. In addition to her exhibits and collections, Iris is a visiting professor at the University of Texas, Austin. Recently at the United Nations’ New York Headquarter, she was awarded the Women Together Special Award at the 12th Annual Women Together Gala. Iris splits her time between NYC and Palm Beach. In 2015, she lost her long-time-love and partner of 67 years, Carl Apfel.