Iris Apfel, fashion icon, died at the age of 102
Fashion icon and model Iris Apfel has passed away.
Stu Loesera spokesperson for Apfel’s estate, confirmed her death to the New York Times on Friday March 1. She died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida. She was 102.
Her death was first announced through her Instagram page on Friday alongside a photo of the designer wearing a black and gold dress with her signature thick, black-rimmed glasses. “Iris Barrel Apfel August 29, 1921 – March 1, 2024,” the caption read.
In honor of the fashionista, celebrities quickly took to the comments section to share their heartfelt condolences. ‘You have mastered the art of living’ Lenny Kravitz wrote. “Thank you for your energy and inspiration. ❤✊🏾.”
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 in a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was heading home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shares with wife Jessica Klepser — on Jan. 4. […]
Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham also mourned the loss, writing, “Ohhhhhh. Good night and God bless ma’am. What joy and endless style you have brought to so many. ❤️❤️.” Tommy Dorfman added: “🕊️🕊️🕊️.”
Born in 1921 in Queens, New York, Apfel first made a name for herself as a businesswoman and interior designer who, with her husband, founded her own textile company, Old World Weavers. Karel Apfel. Together they worked on nine restoration projects at the White House.
The couple took a backseat to the company in 1992, and by the early 2000s, Iris became better known for her signature style. In 2005, an exhibition of her best fashion finds opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
“This is not a collection,” she joked NYT when the exhibition opened. “It’s a raid on my closet. I always thought that at the Met you had to show that you had to be dead.
Iris also began to attract the attention of the younger target group for her authentic and bold aesthetic, which she often shared online and amassed a total of almost 3 million Instagram followers over the years. In 2015, she was asked to help “strengthen” the fashion program at the University of Texas.
“I expose them to important jobs in licensing, styling, behind-the-museum work, etc.,” she said Fashion of her role and pointed to her plan to bring students to New York and show them an “intensive” week in the fashion capital.
“It was just mind-boggling for them,” she added. “They just go bananas. And I learned so much.”
At the age of 97, Iris signed with IMG, becoming the oldest model to be represented by a major agency.
“I’m very excited. I’ve never had a good agent,” she said Women’s clothing everyday in January 2019. IMG, home to superstars like Ashley Graham, Hailey Bieber And Gigi And Bella Hadidgushed over Iris at the time, calling her an “accidental icon.”
“Iris is an icon of immense talent,” said President of IMG Models, Ivan Bart, said a statement. “She radiates creativity and inspiration and we are so excited to explore new and unique opportunities with her where her natural gifts can be shared with the world. At 97 years old, Iris continues to prove that age is just a number and should not be something that defines you.”
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Iris has also designed a large number of collections in her last years, collaborating with major brands such as H&M and Ciáte London. While you’re talking to Today in 2022, she shared her belief that age should make no difference when it comes to one’s career path.
“Oh, I love working. It’s fun because I enjoy it,” she said. “And then I can help people. I can provide employment. People say I inspire them. So many good things come out of it. I think retirement, at any age, is a fate worse than death. Just because a number appears doesn’t mean you have to stop.”