- Iris Apfel, 102, renowned fashion icon
- Passed away at her Florida residence
- Known for eclectic, vibrant style
She stated that the interior designer was last seen commemorating the Leap Year on Thursday, the day after her 102nd birthday.
Iris Apfel, a 102-year-old American businesswoman and fashion icon, passed away at her residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
Early Saturday morning, the news was confirmed via her social media accounts and by her agent, who called her “extraordinary” and “the epitome of style.”
The cause of the demise was not specified. On Thursday, she was last seen celebrating the Leap Year.
Born in New York in 1921, Apfel made her name as a public figure through a contract that required her and her husband, Carl, to consult on White House interiors for six presidents. Apfel was predominantly an interior designer.
Later in life, however, she garnered attention with her vibrant, eclectic style, which she executed by combining haute couture, oversized costume jewelry, and donning daring eye-catching ensembles.
Iris Apfel: Fashion’s “Rare Bird”
In 2005, her notoriety skyrocketed when the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York mounted an exhibition titled Rara Avis, which translates to “rare bird” in Latin.
She was photographed for Vogue Magazine and appeared in advertisements for Coach, MAC Cosmetics, and Kate Spade. She advocated for herself as a “geriatric starlet” and frequently appeared on the New York Times style pages.
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Apfel gained over three million Instagram followers in addition to an additional 215,000 TikTok followers.
Additionally, she partnered with Ruggable on floor coverings and designed accessories and jewelry for the US Home Shopping Network; collaborated with H&M on a collection of vibrantly colored apparel, jewelry, and shoes that sold out within minutes; and launched a cosmetics line with Ciaté London.
Albert Maysles also helmed the documentary film Iris, which examined her aesthetic.
At 100, Ms. Apfel was predeceased by her spouse, Carl, who passed away in 2015.
In addition to her expertise in textiles and antique fabrics, she and her spouse owned the textile manufacturing company Old World Weavers.
The organization specialized in restoration work, encompassing undertakings at the White House. Among Heidi Apfel’s notable clientele were Estee Lauder and Greta Garbo.
