Iris Bonner’s Favorite Things
A peek into the life of the Mount Airy-raised fashion designer.
Iris Bonner | Photography by Jauhien Sasnou
Iris Bonner has styled stars like Cardi B and Mary J. Blige in her punchy, female-forward brand These Pink Lips. Here, she dishes on her favorite makeup products, the best Philly fabric store, and her recent trip to Haiti.
Favorite Things
Left: Kyle Chan necklace. Right: Sex Me thigh-high Barbee Bootz
Piece of jewelry: Kyle Chan necklace. “My friend got it for me for my birthday, and I’ve worn it every day since.”
Prized possession: “My studio in the Viking Mill in Kensington. I painted the floors with pink lips and bright colors. As soon as you walk in, you know you’re in my space.”
On my feet: Sex Me thigh-high Barbee Bootz from her line. “I used street art as inspiration for the design, and spray paint is always fun to work with.”
Blick paintbrushes
Cherished item: Blick paintbrushes. “I love the feel of my old brushes. I’ll keep them forever.”
Person who inspires me: “My mom is a huge influence. She supported me even when I didn’t know what I wanted to do; she let me pick drawing as my major and sent me to art camps.”
At Home
Anastasia Lip Gloss and Buxom Full-On Lip Polish
On my playlist: Cardi B, Migos, the Black Panther soundtrack, the Weeknd.
Morning ritual: “I plop on the floor and start painting. I do everything by hand, and I’ll work until four or five in the morning if I need to.”
Perfume I’m wearing: Black Orchid by Tom Ford.
Makeup essentials: Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly, Anastasia Lip Gloss and MAC concealer. “My friend Jacen Bowman of Shades of Jacen does my makeup for me.”
Out and About
Fleishman Fabric
Spot to relax: Toppers Spa in Rittenhouse. “I get the full body massage with hot stones.”
Store I visit often: Fleishman Fabric on Fabric Row. “I’m always buying fabric. I recently spent a lot on four yards of bright fur material I needed for a coat I was making for Philly Fashion Week.”
Left: Oysters from Maison 208. Right: Bonner in Haiti. Photograph courtesy of Iris Bonner
Go-to food order: Oysters from Maison 208 in Center City. “They have a great rooftop. I always get oysters and a glass of white wine.”
Favorite non-clothing shop: Ann K Floral in University City. “They have irises, which are my favorite. I buy a bunch of flowers and set them up all girly in my studio.”
Recent trip: Haiti. “I went with my friend Ricky Codio, a photographer from Philly who was covering Haiti Fashion Week. I loved meeting fun people and taking photos on the streets.”
Guilty pleasure: Insomnia Cookies in Center City. “I can eat five or six of the macadamia nut or the double chocolate peanut butter at once.”
Published as “Connoisseur: Iris Bonner” in the May 2018 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
