Fashion Icon Iris Apfel Dies at 102
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Fashion icon Iris Apfel—known for her eccentric, maximalist style of dress, which favored vibrant colors, bold patterns, audaciously large jewelry, and a joyous spirit—has died at age 102.
The news was announced to Apfel’s verified Instagram account on Friday night. The post features a photo from her 100th birthday, in which she wears a black and gold gown by Giambattista Valli, massive gilded bangles, and her signature black round eyeglasses, except these included a “1” at the front to create “100.” Overlaid in white text are the dates of her lifespan, “August 29, 1921 - March 1, 2024.”
Stu Loeser, a spokesperson for her estate, confirmed Apfel’s death to the New York Times, revealing that she died in her home in Palm Beach, Florida. No cause of death was given.
Thousands of users took to the comments to pay their respects, including Lenny Kravitz, who wrote: “You mastered the art of living. Thank you for your energy and inspiration. ❤✊🏾”
“The fashion gods are welcoming an icon ❤,” wrote Lily Collins.
“Rest In Power Empress ❤️,” said Zoe Saldana.
Apfel was born in Astoria, Queens, to Samuel Barrel, a business owner of a glass and mirror shop, and Sadye Barrel, the owner of a fashion boutique. She studied art history at New York University and art at the University of Wisconsin. Apfel worked for Women’s Wear Daily as a copywriter and apprenticed with interior designer Elinor Johnson.
Before she rose to sartorial fame, Apfel was an interior designer and textile expert. After marrying Carl Apfel in 1947, the two founded textile company Old World Weavers. Their roster of clients included the likes of Greta Garbo, Estée Lauder, and nine sitting presidents at the White House.
The couple sold the company and retired in 1992, although Iris continued to serve as a consultant to the firm. During this time, she also gained increased recognition for her singular style.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art held an exhibition titled, “Rara Avis: Selections From the Iris Apfel Collection,” featuring 82 ensembles and 300 accessories from Iris’s decades-long curated wardrobe.
The show launched Iris into international celebrity status. She became a visiting professor at the University of Texas; had a photo book titled, “Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel,” published by Eric Boman in 2007; and became the subject of an Albert Maysles documentary simply titled,”Iris,” in 2014.
In 2018, she published an autobiography titled, “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon,” and was signed to modeling agency IMG a year later, at 97. In honor of her centennial birthday in 2022, she released a collection with H&M.
In addition to the legendary mark she has left on the fashion industry, she will be remembered for her youthful charm. "I don't live backwards or forwards; I live in the now,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in March 2022.
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