American fashion designer and businesswoman Iris Apfel died at the age of 102 at her home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The confirmation of the news was made on her social media accounts early Saturday morning, and her representative referred to it as “extraordinary.
No specific cause of death was identified.
>The last time she was seen in a picture on Thursday, it was for the leap year.
Born in New York in 1921, Apfel was originally an interior designer and became a public figure through a contract that allowed her and her husband Carl to advise on White House interiors for six presidents.
>She gained attention in the public for her vibrant bohemian vibe, sporting stylish and eye-catching attire, fusing haute couture with chunky accessories. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York hosted an exhibition named Rara Avis – a rare bird in Latin for her’ – which brought her fame in , She describes herself as a “geriatric star“: she appears regularly on the style pages of the New York Times, poses for Vogue and appears in ads for Coach, MAC Cosmetics and Kate Spade.
Apfel has amassed more than three million followers on Instagram and another 215,000 on TikTok.
>She designs an accessories and jewelry line for the US Home Shopping Network, partnering with H&M to produce a collection of brightly colored clothing, jewelry, and shoes that sell out quickly. Additionally, she collaborated with Ciate London on launching upscale makeup lines and collaborated with Rug gable on floors.
>Her style was also the focus of the documentary Iris, which was directed by Albert Maysles.
Her husband Carl passed away before she even could reach 100 years old, and Apfel is survived by his wife.
In addition to her expertise in antique textiles, she and her husband have a textile manufacturing business called Old World Weavers.
It specializes in restoration work such as the White House.
Apfel is well-known for her work with Estée Lauder and Greta Garbo.