Style Icon Iris Apfel Passes Away at 102

Iris Apfel, known for her iconic oversized black-rimmed glasses, confidently embraced her unique style for over a century, defying societal norms and setting trends for all to admire.

On Friday, Apfel passed away at the age of 102 in her home in Palm Beach, Florida, as confirmed in a post on her verified Instagram page. The news was shared by Stu Loeser, a spokesman for her estate, with The New York Times.

The influential interior designer adored chunky accessories, jazz, work, and embraced every opportunity that came her way. This included prestigious art exhibitions, magazine covers, a cosmetic line, a documentary, a modeling contract, and even a Barbie doll created in her likeness.

In a 2018 interview with CNN, Apfel shared, “I go at it full force. I am extremely passionate about my work. I pour my heart and soul into everything I do, and it fuels me. I challenge myself until I reach my limit, then bounce back for more. I thrive on pushing my limits.”

Born in Queens, New York in 1921, Iris Barrel was the only child of Jewish parents Samuel and Sadye Barrel.

She loved shopping from a young age and got her start at 11 when her mother gave her $25 to buy an Easter dress. The dress cost $12.95, while the matching shoes and hat added up to about $8. The train ride there and back only cost two nickels, or 10 cents.

Apfel was a celebrated interior designer for decades, and her famed personal style landed her a major modeling contract at 97 years old.

Apfel was a celebrated interior designer for decades, and her famed personal style landed her a major modeling contract at 97 years old.

During the Depression years, she was known as a bargain hunter, collector, and hoarder. In 2015, she shared with Vanity Fair that she still proudly wore the same dress from her first date with her late husband, Carl Apfel, nearly 68 years ago. Sadly, he passed away in 2015, just a few days before his 101st birthday. She lovingly described him as a very generous and humorous man.

In 1948, they tied the knot and soon after, they started Old World Weavers. This business allowed them to pursue their love for fabrics and travel. They traveled across continents to find vintage and antique textiles for their clients. Their clientele grew to include big names like Estée Lauder, Greta Garbo, and even nine US presidents.

According to Apfel, styling the White House was actually quite straightforward. The goal was to replicate everything as closely as possible to the original. In a 2015 interview with the Guardian, she shared this insight.

That all changed when Jackie Kennedy moved in. She hired a well-known Parisian designer to renovate the house and give it a French touch, which caused a lot of excitement in the design community. As a result, everything had to be redone from scratch," Apfel explained.

Jackie Kennedy's influence on the house was long-lasting.

Apfel, who once said retirement was worse than death, remained active even in her old age. In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York approached her about showcasing her accessories. At the time, she was in her early 80s, and curator Harold Koda had heard about her impressive collection of costume jewelry.

Initially, Koda requested accessories and jewelry from Apfel. However, as they delved into her wardrobe, cupboards, and storage boxes, the request expanded to five full outfits. In her book, "Accidental Icon: Musings from a Geriatric Scarlet," Apfel shared that by the end of their exploration, the Met museum staff left with 300 outfits and hundreds of accessories.

Apfel front row at New York Fashion Week with model Karolina Kurkova in 2016.

Apfel front row at New York Fashion Week with model Karolina Kurkova in 2016.

The museum's exhibition, "Rara Avis (Rare Bird)," marked the first instance of honoring a living woman who was not a fashion designer. The event was a success, and Apfel gained global recognition as a style icon.

Her profile skyrocketed when she was in her 90s. She became the face of a Kate Spade advertising campaign, collaborated with MAC Cosmetics to launch her own makeup line, and designed a range of accessories, clothing, and furniture for the Home Shopping Network.

At the age of 97, she was offered a modeling contract by IMG, a prestigious agency. This opportunity came after being featured in top fashion magazines like Vogue Italia and Dazed & Confused. She joined renowned models such as Karlie Kloss, Joan Smalls, Chrissy Teigen, and Bella and Gigi Hadid.

Even though she had her own label, Apfel wasn't driven by designer brands. She found joy in searching through flea markets just as much as browsing high-end stores for unique pieces to layer on her petite frame.

She had 2.9 million followers on Instagram, but she disliked social media.

In 2018, she told CNN, "It's too nosy. I don't care about what you ate or who you're sleeping with. It's a huge waste of time."

Apfel was once asked to define her attitude to life in just three words. “Only one trip,” she said.

Then she added a few more: “Might as well live it up.”

CNN’s Rob Frehse contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The passing of Iris Apfel leaves a void in the fashion world. Her bold style and unwavering confidence inspired countless individuals to embrace their own uniqueness. Her ability to mix vintage and modern pieces seamlessly, and her love of vibrant colors and oversized accessories, challenged societal norms and set new standards for self-expression. Apfel's legacy as a style icon will continue to inspire future generations to push boundaries and celebrate individuality.

Beyond her fashion sense, Apfel's zest for life and unwavering determination were equally remarkable. Despite her age, she remained active and engaged, embracing new opportunities with enthusiasm. Her motto, "Only one trip, might as well live it up," encapsulates her belief in making the most of every moment. Apfel's life and work serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest, embrace our passions, and never stop learning and growing.