Iris Apfel, a fashion trendsetter and known as a “geriatric starlet,” passes away at the age of 102.

Iris Apfel, an influential interior designer and fashion icon from America, has passed away at 102 years old.

The woman who called herself a “geriatric starlet” spent many years in the textile business before gaining fame in her 80s for her unique and unusual design sense.

Apfel’s distinct appearance included large glasses, numerous bold pieces of jewelry, and a vibrant mix of clothing, all complemented by her short, white bob haircut.

Lori Sale, the commercial agent representing her, confirmed the passing of the “remarkable” Apfel. The cause of death was not disclosed. It is suspected that she passed away at her residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

The news came on her verified Instagram page on Friday, which a day earlier had celebrated that Leap Day represented her 102nd-and-a-half birthday.

Apfel was born on August 29, 1921 in New York to a Jewish family. They initially focused on studying art history but later specialized in interior design and gained expertise in textiles and antique fabrics.

Carl Apfel and his wife were the owners of a textile manufacturing business called Old World Weavers. They were known for their expertise in restoration work and were sought out by high-profile clients such as Estee Lauder and Greta Garbo. They also had the opportunity to work on projects at the White House for six different US presidents.

In 2005, Apfel’s presence in the public eye greatly increased after the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City featured a exhibit dedicated to her, called Rara Avis which translates to “rare bird” in Latin.

The museum honored her unique style, praising it as “clever and exuberantly original.” It was a fortunate coincidence, as the museum was searching for a last-minute replacement but it turned out to be a success and received widespread attention.

She gained almost 3 million Instagram followers, where her bio states: “Excess is better & Simplicity is dull.” On TikTok, she attracted 215,000 followers by sharing fashion and style advice as well as promoting recent partnerships.

“In a TikTok video, she declared that there is a distinct difference between being stylish and being fashionable. While one can simply purchase their way to being fashionable, style is inherent and signifies individuality and bravery.”

She stated to The New York Times in 2011, “Not conforming to societal standards of dress allows for non-conforming thoughts as well.”

She was later featured in the documentary “Iris”, which was produced by Albert Maysles and initially released in 2014. It became accessible to film fans in the United States and Britain one year later.

According to film reviewer Manohla Dargis from The New York Times, it was praised for being a bold rejection of conformity to a single cultural norm and for its charming perspective on themes of life, love, bold eyewear, oversized bracelets, and the art of making a grand entrance.

In 2016, Apfel starred in a TV ad for the French DS 3 car and became the ambassador for Australian brand Blue Illusion. She also teamed up with start-up company WiseWear. The next year, Mattel created a special Barbie modeled after her, but it was not released for purchase.

In 2018, she published an autobiography titled “Accidental Icon”, filled with personal memories and thoughts on fashion. She first referred to herself as the “accidental icon.”

In 2017, when the Associated Press asked for her fashion guidance, she expressed: “Personal style is key. I value uniqueness and don’t follow trends. When you truly understand yourself and your capabilities, decisions become clear.”

Additional reporting done by various agencies

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