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Tommy Hilfiger and Hannah Waddingham are paying their respects to the legendary American fashion icon Iris Apfel, who recently passed away at the age of 102.
The self-proclaimed “geriatric starlet” worked for decades in the textile industry before she found fame in her eighties and became a ubiquitous tastemaker of design and style.
Apfel was known for her distinctive appearance, featuring large, round glasses, multiple pieces of bold jewelry, and colorful clothing that complemented her short, white hair. In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcased her unique fashion sense in an exhibition. She also appeared in advertisements for Citroën, H&M, and eBay, and had a Barbie doll modeled after her.
Lori Sale, the commercial agent for Apfel, confirmed her passing, but did not disclose the cause of her death. It is believed that she passed away in her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
American designer Tommy Hilfiger, who is 72 years old, praised Iris Apfel as an “innovator and leader” and believes she will be remembered in history.
In a statement, he credited Iris Apfel’s global status as a fashion icon to her exceptional skills not just as an artist, but also as a trendsetter.
Her large heart and enchanting aura have had an incredible impact on numerous individuals she has come across.
Sale, the agent of Apfel, expressed that it was an incredible privilege to work with the talented starlet.
Iris Apfel passed away at the age of 102.
She expressed regret at no longer receiving her frequent phone calls, always accompanied by the customary inquiry: “What do you have for me today?” This is a reminder of her unquenchable drive to keep busy.
She had a unique perspective and was a visionary in every way. She viewed the world through a different lens, donning large and distinctive glasses on her nose.
The sale persisted, stating that by using those lenses, she viewed the world as a vibrant array of colors, a tapestry of designs and motifs.
Her creative vision elevated the ordinary to the extraordinary and her talent for combining the nontraditional with the graceful was nothing less than enchanting.
In 2019, Apfel appeared at a charitable event in New York City.
Fashion designer Jenna Lyons left a comment on Apfel’s Instagram post expressing gratitude for sharing her wonderful life.
Lily Collins, an actor, stated that the fashion gods are embracing an icon.
Lenny Kravitz, a singer, praised Apfel for her mastery of living and thanked her for being a source of energy and inspiration.
Waddingham, the actor who plays Ted Lasso, also honored the late Ma’am by saying, “Ohhhhhh. Rest well and may God bless you. Your endless style and joyful presence touched so many.”
Model Tess Holliday expressed her sentiments by saying “Rest in power!” and thanking the individual for living their life beautifully and inspiring others to live boldly.
Iris Barrel was born in Queens, New York in 1921. She pursued a degree in art history at New York University and later attended the University of Wisconsin for art school.
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Iris Apfel and models feature in a 2022 advertising campaign for H&M.
She started her professional journey as a writer for Women’s Wear Daily, and then went on to work with interior designer Elinor Johnson and illustrator Robert Goodman.
In 1948, she wed Carl Apfel, now deceased, and jointly launched Old World Weavers as a textile business. They continued to manage the company until retiring in 1992.
The team completed renovation tasks for famous individuals, like Greta Garbo, and also worked on projects at the White House for nine different presidents, including Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton.
She didn’t find fame until she was in her eighties when her design expertise and eccentric style ethos attracted thousands of fans across the world. Aged 91, Apfel became Dazed magazine’s oldest cover star and in 2019, she signed with one of the world’s biggest modelling agencies, IMG, which has Gigi Hadid, Sienna Miller and Ashley Graham on its books.
Apfel appeared in a beauty campaign for Ciaté London and worked with the brand to create a makeup collection by the time she was 101 years old.
In 2014, Apfel attended a conference in Palm Beach, Florida.
Only two days prior to her passing, Apfel observed her “half birthday” by posting a photo of herself with balloons displaying “102 and a half”.
“My half birthday just happened and I feel like I’m 26! Today I am 102 and a half years old, Happy Leap Day!” This statement was shared on her Instagram post.
In a 2018 interview, Apfel was questioned about getting older. She stated that she has no desire to halt the passage of time as she finds it uninteresting. To her, it would feel like being stuck in a time machine or a time warp, which she does not enjoy. For Apfel, variety is what makes life interesting.
According to her interview with Vogue, she chooses to purchase clothing that brings her a sense of “joy”.
“My closet is a source of happiness for me. I make sure to only keep things that I enjoy and bring me joy,” she expressed.
“In the past century, I have come to understand that style is crucial.”
She stated that her approach to personal style extended into her home decor.
The kitchen is the perfect place to express oneself. To me, decorating a home and dressing a person share the same principles of aesthetics. When you enter, you can tell that it’s my house. I believe a home should represent the individuals who reside in it.
Source: independent.co.uk
