IRIS KAPLAN

I worked at the Rainbow Room at the top of 30 Rockefeller Center for more than twenty years. Iris and Leo would come in every Saturday night and ballroom dance. Leo was always pleasant and Iris quirky and a bit sassy eating seeds and nibbling bits of things she would bring to the restaurant from home. She´d talk to me of her kids a bit and I always looked forward to seeing them. That blue hair always could be seen across the room. Rest peacefully, Iris.

While attending Juilliard I answered an ad on the bulletin board for a painter on Park Avenue seeking models. I answered the ad and was hired to pose for several paintings. Standing in a pose for 3-5 hours was very challenging but the results were always ASTONISHING!!! We became very good friends and walked many places on the Upper East Side. One day she invited me to get a colonic with her and she would pay. What an experience. I´ll mostly remember looking forward to visiting her in her very...

I have an old wonderful painting by her, looks like a self portrait. Message me if you want to purchase it. [email protected]

I met Iris on a fairy in Venice Italy when I was 15 years old (24 years ago). I only know that due to an audio recording I did of my trip I was on at the time. While pulling old memories out; I found the recorder and its tapes. While listening there is a part where I interview her. Her striking blue hair was something I can never forget. I am sure the family knows that she touched so many lives. If you read this; you can know that my kids just got a kick out of hearing her "interview"...

I had the privilege to meet Iris in 1997 on a British Airways flight in Europe.

She was an amazing Lady. Original, exuberant, a real genius. Her striking amazing blue hair and beauty stood out. She was very Charming. She was with Lenny at the time.

She saw my red hair and said: “I’d love to do a painting of you”....

Well a year later I was in New York and with Iris and Lenny’s kind invitation I visited them and sat in her studio as she painted me. ...

My sincere condolences to the family and all who knew and loved Iris. I met her in 1992 when I became the ladies better and couture buyer at Dollar Bills on 42nd Street. I was touched by her kind spirit and awed by the beautiful art she created. Nothing but happy memories of an incredible icon in an incredible city. Rest In Peace, dear lady.