Renowned textile expert, interior designer, and fashion icon Iris Apfel has sadly passed away at the age of 102.
Apfel’s commercial agent, Lori Sale, confirmed the news, describing her as “extraordinary.” The cause of death has not been disclosed. The news was also shared on Apfel’s verified Instagram page, which had recently celebrated her 102-and-a-half birthday on Leap Day.
Born on August 29, 1921, Apfel was famous for her bold and eye-catching outfits that combined high fashion with oversized costume jewelry. A typical Apfel ensemble might include a feather boa, chunky beads, bangles, and a jacket embellished with Native American beadwork.
Sporting her distinctive round black-rimmed glasses, bright red lipstick, and short white hair, Apfel always stood out at fashion shows.
Apfel’s unique style was the focus of museum exhibits and a documentary film called “Iris,” directed by Albert Maysles.
“I might not be conventionally pretty, and that doesn’t bother me,” she once said. “I possess something much better – I have style.”
Later in life, Apfel gained popularity on social media, amassing nearly 3 million followers on Instagram. Her profile proudly declared, “More is more & Less is a Bore.” She also attracted 215,000 followers on TikTok, where she shared wisdom on fashion and style while promoting recent collaborations.
“Being stylish and being fashionable are completely different things,” she explained in one TikTok video. “Fashion can be bought, but style is inherent and requires originality and courage.”
Apfel never retired, stating on “Today” that “retirement at any age is worse than death. Just because you reach a certain age doesn’t mean you have to stop.”
“It was the greatest honor to work alongside her. I will miss her daily calls, always beginning with the question, ‘What have you got for me today?'” Sale said in a statement. “This is a testament to her unwavering passion for work. She was a visionary in every sense, seeing the world through her unique lens, adorned with her signature oversized spectacles.” Apfel, an expert in textiles and antique fabrics, owned Old World Weavers with her husband Carl. Their textile manufacturing company specialized in restoration work and completed projects for six different U.S. presidents at the White House. Apfel also served celebrity clients such as Estee Lauder and Greta Garbo. In 2005, the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City showcased a dedicated exhibition to Apfel. Entitled “Rara Avis,” which translates to “rare bird” in Latin, the exhibition highlighted her distinctive style, described by the museum as “clever and extravagantly individualistic.” Apfel’s originality shines through her unique combinations of high-end and affordable fashion. For instance, she would pair Dior haute couture with flea market finds or match 19th-century religious robes with Dolce & Gabbana lizard trousers. These layered ensembles challenge aesthetic norms and exude a boldly modern graphic quality, even in their most extreme and ornate manifestations, according to the museum.
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, presented a traveling version of Apfel’s exhibition. In a generous gesture, Apfel donated numerous pieces, including couture gowns, to assist the museum in constructing an impressive fashion collection. Furthermore, the Museum of Fashion & Lifestyle, located near Apfel’s winter residence in Palm Beach, Florida, plans to dedicate a gallery to showcasing items from her extensive collection.
Born in New York City to Samuel and Sadye Barrel, Apfel experienced a surge in fame in her later years. She appeared in advertisements for prestigious brands such as M.A.C. cosmetics and Kate Spade. Additionally, she designed accessories and jewelry for the Home Shopping Network, collaborated with H&M on a highly sought-after collection of vibrantly colored clothing, jewelry, and shoes, launched a makeup line with Ciaté London, and developed an eyeglass collection with Zenni. Apfel even partnered with Ruggable to create distinctive floor coverings.
In a 2017 interview with the Associated Press at the age of 95, Apfel shared her preferred contemporary designers, including Ralph Rucci, Isabel Toledo, and Naeem Khan. When asked about fashion advice, Apfel emphasized the importance of discovering one’s own individuality. She held a disdain for trends and believed that self-understanding and awareness of personal style were crucial in making fashion choices.
Playfully referring to herself as the “accidental icon,” Apfel published a book in 2018 with the same phrase. The book, filled with her keepsakes and fashion contemplations, pays tribute to her unparalleled sense of style. Tributes to Apfel can be found in various forms, including a Barbie doll created in her likeness, as well as T-shirts, glasses, artwork, and dolls. Apfel’s husband passed away in 2015, and they did not have any children.