Iris Apfel says there's 'no passion left' in the fashion industry (Exclusive)

At 97 years old, Iris Apfel signed with one of the biggest global modeling agencies, IMG. But before securing the same team that manages Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Joan Smalls and Hailey Bieber, the now 98-year-old style superstar still had brands like MAC and Kate Spade calling her up, even without an agent.

"I thought it was funny. I was flattered. I've been working a long time without them and I think the whole thing is very amusing that all of a sudden I'm so famous," Apfel told AOL about signing to IMG.

Known for her fearless and colorful approach to fashion, Apfel's unwitting influence embodies everything it means to be a fashion legend. She is an accidental icon whose authenticity is unmatched in today's industry.

"Everything is missing from the fashion industry. There seems to be no passion left and everybody copies everybody else. Everybody seems to be afraid to do anything new. It's too much of the same old-same old," she explained to AOL's Laura Galvan at the Bernardaud Porcelain flagship store in NYC.

"I worry about [the future of fashion]. It needs to perk up. I mean, if it keeps going this way, it's really going to run itself into the ground."

Even though Iris may feel that the industry is lacking creativity, the style maker is still determined to put her personal touches wherever she can. For her latest project, Iris teamed up with Michel Bernardaud to create a line of luxury porcelain jewelry. The collection, titled Be Bold Over, naturally highlights Apfel's special relationship with her accessories.

"I think jewelry is most transformative part of a women's wardrobe because you can take the same outfit and change the jewelry and have a completely different looking outfit," she explained to AOL.

From running a textile firm in the 1950's (which included White House restoration projects for nine presidents) to her time at Women's Wear Daily, Apfel has contributed to over half a century of fashion.

"Every era of fashion had something good and something not so good. Some eras I like better but I don't like having favorites. There are to many good things."

And as for her legacy? "I don't like to think about a legacy."

Shop the Be Bold Over collection by Iris Apfel collection here.