New York (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) – The world of fashion mourns the loss of a legend as New York icon, Iris Apfel, breathed her last at the remarkable age of 102 last Friday (01/03/2024). The news was announced through her personal Instagram account.
As reported by Gulf News on Saturday (02/03/2024), the designer known for her unique style, including large owl-shaped glasses, reached the peak of her fame at the uncommon ages of her 80s and 90s. As a flamboyant interior designer, Apfel graced the stages of Parisian fashion for over fifty years. Her iconic style, with short white hair, large glasses, bright lipstick, and oversized jewelry, made her recognizable throughout New York.
After the spread of this sad news, tributes poured in from various corners of the internet, reflecting the extent of her fan base. Renowned musician Lenny Kravitz described Apfel as someone who “mastered the art of living” through his Instagram account. Leading clothing store Old Navy also remembered her as an “icon forever.”
Apfel’s elegance and boldness are reflected in her designer collections, which adorned the two floors of her Park Avenue apartment, a collection amassed over her lifetime. Renowned designers and fashion figures, from Alexander Wang to Isaac Mizrahi, expressed their admiration for this centenarian woman, famous for her love of fashion accessories.
Iris Apfel, born Iris Barrel on August 29, 1921, in Queens, continued her education at the University of Wisconsin’s art school and later worked as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily. Always entrepreneurial, her collaborations with various brands included her involvement with Barbie, collections on the Home Shopping Network, and even a makeup line with MAC Cosmetics.
The pinnacle of recognition came in 2005 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York held the first major retrospective of Apfel’s clothing collection. Success continued to flow after she was immortalized in the documentary film “Iris,” released in 2014 by director Albert Maysles. Four years later, her autobiography titled “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon” recounted her life journey and became a highlight on bookstore shelves.
