Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon and Influencer, Dies at 102: A Look Back at Her Extraordinary Legacy

Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon and Designer, Passes Away at 102

Renowned fashion designer, style icon, and influencer Iris Apfel passed away on Friday at the age of 102 in her home in Palm Beach, Florida.

In her later years, Apfel became an inspiration to many in the fashion industry and the face of numerous fashion brands. She died of natural causes, surrounded by her longtime caregivers, in a statement released by an Apfel spokesman.

Life and Legacy

Iris Apfel was born on August 29, 1921, in Astoria, Queens. She and her husband, Carl Apfel, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 100, started their own textile company, Old World Weavers, in 1950. Apfel gained fame through her restoration projects at the White House and her contribution to the commissions of nine US presidents.

Apfel had a remarkable passion for fashion and was known for her bold use of colors, patterns, and textures. She traveled the world and was an avid collector of fashion, furniture, jewelry, and antiques. Her curiosity and imagination led her to collaborate with many established brands including Kate Spade, MAC Cosmetics, Alexis Bittar, HSN, and Le Bon Marché. Her distinctive style, characterized by oversized glasses, red lipstick, and short cropped white hair, made her a prominent figure in the fashion industry.

During her career, Iris Apfel continued to innovate and explore new ventures. In 2019, she signed with IMG for worldwide modeling, appearances, and endorsements, providing her with a renewed opportunity to share her passion for fashion with a global audience.

Tributes and Honors

Iris Apfel’s unique sense of style and her impact on the fashion community reached far and wide. Tommy Hilfiger, who had the privilege of meeting and spending time with her, expressed his sadness and the immense loss to the fashion community. Apfel was admired for her impeccable style, her appetite and appreciation for fashion, and her commitment to mentoring fashion students.

Evident of her lasting impact, the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, dedicated the Iris and Carl Apfel wing in 2019. Additionally, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2005 exhibition, “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection,” catapulted her into the public eye as the first living person, not a designer, to have her clothing and accessories exhibited at the Costume Institute.

Apfel’s life and achievements were also documented in films like the 2015 documentary “Iris,” directed by Albert Maysles, and the 2017 documentary “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast,” which premiered on HBO. In 2018, she published her first book, “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon, Musings of a Geriatric Starlet,” which showcased her musings, photos, and illustrations.

Lasting Inspiration

Iris Apfel’s remarkable journey from an entrepreneur to a fashion icon and designer has left an indelible mark on the world. She remained a private person throughout her life, even as her fame continued to grow. Her unique outlook on life, her joy for personal enjoyment, and her unwavering belief in individual expression will continue to inspire many generations to come.

Memorial services for Iris Apfel will be held in Palm Beach and Manhattan at a later date.

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.