Fashion icon Iris Apfel, known for her bold style and larger-than-life personality, has passed away at the age of 102 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida. Apfel, who died of natural causes surrounded by her longtime caregivers, leaves behind a legacy as a designer, influencer, and face of numerous fashion brands.
Born in Astoria, Queens in 1921, Apfel was preceded in death by her husband Carl Apfel in 2015. The couple founded their own textile company, Old World Weavers, in 1950 and sold it in 1992. Apfel was known for her restoration projects at the White House and ad campaigns with brands like Kate Spade and MAC Cosmetics.
Throughout her lifetime, Apfel collaborated with numerous fashion brands and retailers, and was signed by IMG for worldwide representation in 2019. The Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts unveiled the Iris and Carl Apfel wing in 2019, showcasing the couple’s unique contributions to the world of fashion.
Apfel’s eclectic collection of clothing and jewelry was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005, further solidifying her status as a fashion icon. In 2018, she released a book titled “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon, Musings of a Geriatric Starlet,” detailing her life and career in the fashion industry.
Memorial services for Apfel will be held in Palm Beach and Manhattan at a later date, allowing friends, family, and fans to pay their respects to a woman who truly left her mark on the world of fashion. Iris Apfel will be remembered not only for her impeccable sense of style, but also for her larger-than-life personality and passion for collecting fashion, furniture, jewelry, antiques, and accessories.
