Iris Apfel, fashion icon and self-proclaimed ‘geriatric starlet’, has passed away at the age of 102.
The news was announced on her Instagram page on Friday, with a beautiful photo of the famous fashionista in a regal black and gold gown and her signature black glasses.
‘Iris Barrel Apfel, August 29, 1921 – March 1, 2024,’ read the caption on the post.
A spokesman for her estate confirmed the news to the New York Times and revealed that she died in her Palm Beach, Florida, home.
The cause of death for the star — who was a New York style icon for years — has not been provided at this time.
Iris Apfel, fashion icon and self-proclaimed ‘geriatric starlet’, has passed away at the age of 102. The news was announced on her Instagram page on Friday; seen in 2021
‘Iris Barrel Apfel, August 29, 1921 – March 1, 2024,’ read the caption on the post
Following the news of her death, fans rushed to her social media page to pay their respects.
Rocker Lenny Kravitz wrote: ‘You mastered the art of living. Thank you for your energy and inspiration.’
Actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute, writing: ‘Ohhhhhh. Goodnight and God bless Ma’am. What joy and endless style you brought to so many.’
‘Thank you for sharing your beautiful life,’ designer Jenna Lyons added.
‘RIP icon,’ one person wrote.
‘You will be missed,’ another added with a red-heart emoji.
‘An icon and true inspiration,’ yet another follower wrote.
‘Rest in beauty icon.’
Apfel only came to worldwide attention in 2005 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition focusing on her fashion sense titled Rara Avis (Rare Bird).
‘Iris Barrel Apfel, August 29, 1921 – March 1, 2024,’ read the caption on the photo; seen with Linda Fargo in 2013
A spokesman for her estate confirmed the news to the New York Times and revealed that she died in her Palm Beach, Florida, home; seen in 2015
The cause of death has not been provided at this time; seen with Christie Brinkley in 2022
Apfel, who was a New York style icon for years, only came to worldwide attention in 2005 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art showed an exhibition focusing on her fashion sense titled Rara Avis (Rare Bird); seen with Christina Hendricks in 2016
In 2019, at 97-years-old, Iris landed a modeling contract with IMG – the same agency that has repped top stars like Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Miranda Kerr; seen in 2016
She started her career as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson.
In 1948, she married husband Carl Apfel, and the duo owned a textile firm until they retired 44 years later.
Over the years the pair worked on many restoration projects, including at the White House.
Carl died at the age of 100 in 2015.
In 2019, at 97-years-old, Iris landed a modeling contract with IMG – the same agency that has repped top stars like Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Miranda Kerr.
Even as she was pushing 100, Apfel showed no signs of slowing down, and told WWD she’s ‘very excited’ about her new deal.
Though the star drew the linear walking down the catwalk, telling the publication: ‘How can I compete on runway? That’s ridiculous,’ she said.
‘We’ll be doing hopefully collaborations, or maybe I’ll be a spokesperson. I leave it to them. They know better than I.’
She started her career as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily and interior designer Elinor Johnson; seen in a throwback Instagram photo
In 1948, she married husband Carl Apfel, and the duo owned a textile firm until they retired 44 years later
Over the years the pair worked on many restoration projects, including at the White House; the pair seen in 2008
Carl died at the age of 100 in 2015; seen in 2008
‘I’ve had all kinds of interesting commissions in my limited career. Everything from vodka and automobiles to beauty products, and I’ve also had a number of interesting collaborations with big stores like Bon Marché in Paris, the Landmark Mall in Hong Kong, Macy’s and Bergdorf Goodman.’
Over the past decade Apfel has modeled for a seriously impressive roster of big-name fashion and beauty brands.
She’s faced campaigns for Kate Spade, MAC Cosmetics, Alexis Bittar, Macy’s INC, Blue Illusion, HSN, Le Bon Marché, and the German brand Aigner.
In each one, she’s showed off a facet of her style, including her signature oversized round glasses.
For several, she’s posed right alongside models a quarter of her age, including Karlie, Toni Garnn, Tavi Gevinson, and Jourdan Dunn.
And no one was as surprised by her late-in-life modeling career than Apfel herself. Though she’s had a long career in fashion, it was owning her own textile company, Old World Weavers, from 1950 that kept her in the fashion world.
Following the news of her death, fans rushed to her social media page to pay their respects
Rocker Lenny Kravitz wrote: ‘You mastered the art of living. Thank you for your energy and inspiration’
Actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute, writing: ‘Ohhhhhh. Goodnight and God bless Ma’am. What joy and endless style you brought to so many’
‘Thank you for sharing your beautiful life,’ designer Jenna Lyons added
‘I never expected my life would take this turn so I never prepared for it. It all just happened so suddenly, and I thought at my tender age, I’m not going to set up offices and get involved with all kinds of things,’ she said.
‘I thought it was a flash in the pan, and it’s not going to last. Somehow, people found me. People would just call. Tommy Hilfiger said that was no way to do it, and he put us together. I’m very excited and very grateful.’
In addition to modeling, she also designed her own clothing and accessories line for HSN and published a book in 2018.
‘My husband, until he passed on, we used to sit there and laugh and laugh, and I’d say I’m no different than I was 70 years ago, and all of a sudden, I’m cool, I’m a hot property. It’s ridiculous. People tell me it’s because I’m real… and say what I think,’ she added.
