A Maximalist Summer: Inspired by Emily’s Fashion Icon
At this year’s Southern C Summit, one dinner event stood out as a true celebration of creativity, color, and the enduring spirit of style icon Iris Apfel. Designed and hosted by Emily McCarthy, the evening was a maximalist dream brought to life—from vibrant fashion and bold florals to playful party details that paid homage to Iris’s fearless flair. Guests were treated to an unforgettable sensory experience that blended Southern hospitality with high fashion. We caught up with Emily after the event to learn more about her inspiration, her creative process, and what’s next for her bold and beautiful brand.
The evening began with a playful icebreaker, a charming game of matching famous quotes by inspiring women. It was wonderful to see connections spark as guests discovered their quote companions and engaged in lively conversation. Adding a whimsical touch, each cocktail napkin featured an iconic Iris Apfel quote, offering little nuggets of her signature wisdom throughout the evening.
As guests mingled, they were surrounded by a breathtaking display of custom paper florals, a thoughtful detail that harked back to Emily’s early days in business and her artistic beginnings.
Midway through our delicious dinner, the atmosphere truly came alive with a captivating fashion show. Emily McCarthy’s designs graced the room, each piece a testament to her vision and, undoubtedly, carrying a touch of Iris’s bold and joyful spirit. It’s worth noting that Iris herself stands as a remarkable female entrepreneur, her unique vision and fearless approach an inspiration to us all. Even the serving staff played a part in our tribute, presenting drinks and appetizers on trays adorned with our signature prints, a subtle yet delightful detail.
And as a special memento, each guest received a pair of chic, round glasses, a nod to Iris Apfel’s iconic love for statement eyewear.
Iris Apfel is admired around the globe, but your take on her influence felt especially personal and fresh. What inspired you to center this particular collection around Iris’s legacy—and how did you translate that admiration into wearable art?
Iris has always inspired me to live boldly and colorful – not being afraid of being unique. We tried to capture her signature traits in the prints such as her signature glasses, signature colors and obsession with jewels.
The Southern C Summit is known for celebrating bold creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Why did this feel like the right moment—and the right room—to debut this collection?
We are all leaders and inspirations for our industries – just as Iris was to me. I knew the women in this room would appreciate the nod to her living as her unique self.
From the towering paper florals to the oversized bangles and those saturated color moments—it all felt like stepping into an Iris dreamscape. Can you walk us through your creative process for designing such an immersive and joy-filled dinner experience?
For us this dinner was definitely about color and having fun! From our music selections, lighting and over-the-top use of color – it was important that our guests felt like they were at a really great party!
You infused the evening with Iris’s voice in such thoughtful ways—from cocktail napkins to conversation starters. Do you have a favorite quote of hers that you live by?
“More is More, Less is a Bore.” – we even have this printed in our flagship store.
What’s next on the horizon for you creatively? Are there new icons, ideas, or inspirations currently shaping your work?
We have a couple of collaborations coming up next year – some of which stem from our time at Southern C. We are working on expanding our brand footprint through digital and storefront impressions!
A heartfelt thank you to Emily and her incredible team for crafting such a vibrant, joy-filled evening. Your creativity, attention to detail, and generous spirit made this a night we’ll always remember and truly cherish!
P.S. The Iris-inspired collection featured during the dinner has just launched and is now available at emilymccarthy.com. Don’t miss your chance to bring a bit of bold into your own wardrobe!
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