Iris Apfel Dead: The fashion world mourns the loss of an icon as Iris Apfel, the legendary style maven, passed away on March 1, 2024, at the remarkable age of 102.
News of her death rippled through social media, with an Instagram statement confirming the sad news. Stu Loeser, a spokesperson for Apfel’s estate, also verified her passing to The New York Times, indicating that she died peacefully at her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
Born on August 29, 1921, in Queens, New York, Iris Apfel was destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of fashion.
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Throughout her illustrious life, she became known not only for her distinctive style but also for her vibrant personality and unapologetic approach to self-expression.
Apfel’s journey to becoming a fashion icon was as unconventional as it was extraordinary. Raised in Queens by her parents, Samuel and Sadye Barrel, she developed a keen eye for design and aesthetics from a young age.
She attended New York University and later studied art at the University of Wisconsin, where she met her beloved husband, Carl Apfel.
Together, Iris and Carl embarked on a lifelong adventure filled with creativity and passion. They traveled the world, collecting an impressive array of textiles, accessories, and artifacts that would later inspire Apfel’s unique style.
Their marriage, which lasted over seven decades until Carl’s passing in 2015, was a testament to their shared love for art and culture.
Apfel’s impact on the fashion industry transcended age and convention. While many revered her as a style icon in her later years, her influence extended far beyond the realm of haute couture.
She championed individuality and encouraged people to embrace their personal style, regardless of societal norms or trends.
Throughout her career, Apfel worked tirelessly to promote diversity and inclusivity in fashion. Her collaborations with major brands and designers helped pave the way for greater representation and acceptance within the industry.
In 2005, at the age of 84, she gained widespread recognition after the Metropolitan Museum of Art featured an exhibition dedicated to her unique style, titled “Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection.”
Beyond her contributions to fashion, Apfel was also a successful businesswoman and interior designer. Alongside her husband, she founded Old World Weavers, a textile firm specializing in rare and antique fabrics.
Their work adorned the interiors of prestigious institutions and private residences around the world, earning them widespread acclaim and admiration.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Apfel was a devoted mother and grandmother. While she and Carl never had children of their own, they cherished their roles as mentors and role models to aspiring creatives around the globe.
Their legacy lives on through the countless lives they touched and inspired throughout their extraordinary lives.
As news of Apfel’s passing reverberates around the world, tributes pour in from admirers and colleagues alike.
Her boundless energy, irrepressible spirit, and unmistakable style will forever be remembered as a testament to the power of individuality and self-expression.
Though she may be gone, her influence will continue to shape the world of fashion for generations to come.
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