To say that Iris Apfel has fans is an understatement. Iris Apfel has worshipers, and the Albert Maysles-directed documentary Iris proves that honest artistic expression in any form makes for a happy and fulfilled life, and one dazzling watch.

As a 93-year-old fashion icon known worldwide, Apfel exudes a naturalness in the film that makes you feel like you know her. Her body is fragile, her clothes are flamboyant, and her soul is, above all else, happy. Maysles, whose previous films include Grey Gardens and Gimme Shelter, takes audiences into Apfel’s life behind the scenes. From her private apartment in New York that she shares with her 100-year-old husband Carl, to her storage warehouse that doubles as a closet, we embark on an 80-minute journey that finds inspiration–and words of wisdom from Iris herself–at every turn.

Dubbed a “Rare Bird of Fashion” and “Geriatric Starlet,” Iris is instantly recognizable by any fashion-savvy onlooker today. As the recent cover girl of MAC Cosmetics, she is used to having her picture taken by everyone from bloggers and Bill Cunningham alike, but it wasn’t always that way. Growing up in a middle-class Queens neighborhood during the Great Depression, Iris learned the notion hard work at a young age. As a girl working at the department store Loehmann’s, Iris recalls a time when the owner, Mrs.Loehmann, called to her. “You’re not pretty. You’ll never be pretty,” she tells Iris bluntly, “You’ve got something better. You have style.” To this day, that remains one of the best compliments she has ever received. “Those who are the most fortunate are interesting rather than pretty as looks fade,” says Iris. It is evident throughout the film that she is one of the lucky ones, as her wittiness and looks only get better with age.

Mocking her own old age, she leaves us with this style tip: “If you hang around long enough everything comes back in style.” Well Iris, baby, you never left.

Forever 21, Topshop, and H&M are the death of individuality when it comes to the future of the fashion world. Mass production limits the creative mind of the consumer, as many forgo the unique vintage treasures in exchange for mass conformity and accessibility, but not Iris. Her clothing and accessories come from all over the world– every trinket and bauble has a story. Her early job as a fabric manufacturer took her all around the globe, even dressing the interior of the White House. The stories Iris and her husband recall about those times are both hysterical and sentimental, and without even trying the Apfel’s give all of us a relationship to strive for.

88-year-old director Albert Maysles, who passed away last month, humanizes Iris in a way that only her close friends and family would have seen. Her guard is down as she talks candidly to Maysles about her health problems, her decision to not have children, and her fears. He captures this vulnerability with a gentleness of a best friend and the eye of an artist.

To read our interview with Iris and the producers of the film, click here.

 Behind those iconic bottle-rimmed glasses is a woman who has lived life to the fullest, and serves as an inspiration to everyone who watches the film. Although, for those who could care less about the fashion industry, it may be hard to see past the spectacle and find the deeper meaning in the film. While its target audience is a niche group of people, those who take a chance on Iris will definitely not leave the theater disappointed.

The funny thing is, there is nothing particularly revolutionary or groundbreaking about Iris Apfel. She did not reinvent the wheel. She did, however, prove that confidence and individuality is priceless and we should all embrace and cater to our deepest desires in life. To say that Iris left me inspired is an understatement, not only did I rediscover the clothes in the back of my closet that I had once thought were too “outlandish,” but I also gained a new perspective on living life. Iris never cared what others thought about her and that strong feminine attitude, mixed with her spunkiness, is a fantastic role model for both those in and out of the fashion world. Mocking her own old age, she leaves us with this style tip: “If you hang around long enough everything comes back in style.” Well Iris, baby, you never left.

Iris opens in Los Angeles Theaters (Cinefamily, Laemmle’s Royal, Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, Westpark 8 Cinemas) Friday, May 1st.