Iris Apfel and Lil Yachty Exchange Fashion in Newest Series
“Iris is cool, her taste and mine are different but we both appreciate those unique and rare pieces,” Yatchy says in exclusive VMAN interview.
Iris Apfel is a fashion icon. So is Lil Yachty. The collaboration between the two of them is the stuff of fashion dreams. Today, the unsuspecting duo usher the new eBay series, Old School Meets New School. In these short episodes, the series explores a common thread between diverging styles, cultures and generations.
“I’ve always thought [a conversation between] two generations is always unique because you never know what you’re going to get because it’s two different outlooks on life,” said Lil Yachty a couple of weeks before the series launched. “When done properly it can make for a really good conversation.”
In this episode, Apfel and Yachty talk about their mutual love of luxury watches – to which the platform eBay boasts a thriving luxury watch marketplace with over 1.2 million daily listings. Additionally, the online retailer also has an Authenticity Guarantee which verifies all watches over $2,000 in the U.S. If you know Yachty, you know he loves his watches and has an extensive collection of them.
“As a rapper, you got to always flex,” Lil Yachty elaborated. “So I just buy another one, just kept buying watches and kept buying watches.”
We spoke to the Grammy-nominated rapper about this watch collection, how to start building your own collection and, of course, what it was like to work with Iris for this series.
VMAN: What type of fashion are you into?
LIL YACHTY: I’m really into 90s fashion, 80s and streetwear.
VM: And when did you start building your watch collection?
LY: First, watch I got was a Yachtmaster, 2017 as a gift from my managers. I think I was 19 years old, maybe 18 I don’t remember. I was kind of upset because it was a plane. As I got older I started — I was appreciative for the watch. It’s a classy watch and it holds its value. So 2017 was when I got my first real watch. You know, I have fucking G-Shocks and Timex watches in high school. I got my first real watch in 2017.
VM: How did this passion for watches begin?
LY: In music, jewelry is everything. There was a point in my career when I felt like I needed it. I felt like I needed it to look cool to feel cool. So that’s kind of what started it. And then I also have this thing where I get really tired of looking at something. And as a rapper, you got to always flex. So I just buy another one, just kept buying watches and kept buying watches.
VM: What catches you eye when you see a watch?
LY: Like, I’ve seen them all now. So at this point, I mean, to really catch my attention it’s got to be something unique. Most people get the same watch they get a standard, you know, silver. It’s whatever, so usually just something unique.
VM: Can you tell us a little bit more about eBay’s new Old School Meets New School series? What does the series explore?
LY: I’ve always thought [a conversation between] two generations is always unique because you never know what you’re going to get because it’s two different outlooks on life. When done properly it can make for a really good conversation. So just trying to stir up some good conversation and trade two different generation views.
VM: How was it like talking to Iris Apfel in this series?
LY: Iris is cool, her taste and mine are different but we both appreciate those unique and rare pieces that stand out from what most people go for.
VM: What advice would you give to someone looking to expand their watch collection?
LY: Find someone who is an expert. Buy watches that hold value, not that look cool in the moment because essentially it is an investment — or can be if done properly. So always buy original art pieces like watches with original bands, original dials, original settings. I mean, usually, it’s a little bit more expensive, but it’s worth it in the long run. You can never go wrong with factory settings.
You can check out a preview of the episode here.