Iris Apfel, a renowned style icon from Queens, New York known for her iconic oversized owlish glasses, has passed away at the age of 102, as confirmed by her Instagram account. Describing herself as a "geriatric starlet," Apfel gained widespread fame as a textile designer and fashion icon in her later years, reaching the peak of her career in her 80s and 90s.
With a flamboyant flair for interior design, she was a regular presence at Paris fashion shows for over fifty years, always standing out with her signature cropped white hair, bold glasses, bright lipstick, and chunky bead necklaces.
A collector of 20th-century designer pieces, Apfel filled her Park Avenue apartment with an impressive array of works acquired over her lifetime. In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York hosted a retrospective of her wardrobe, showcasing her unique style that blended high-end fashion with eclectic finds from Harlem flea markets. Known for her love of vibrant colors and avant-garde silhouettes, Apfel encouraged young women to embrace their individuality and uniqueness.
She famously urged them to step away from the traditional "uniform" of black tights and jeans, advocating for self-expression and experimentation in fashion. Apfel's legacy continues to inspire fashion lovers to push boundaries and embrace their personal style choices, with her memorable quote reminding them that there are no style rules set in stone - "If you wear something and it doesn't work, don't worry, the style police are not going to arrest you."
English (US)