Iris Bonner’s Favorite Things
A peek into the life of the Mount Airy-raised fashion designer.
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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
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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.”
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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
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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
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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.”
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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.