Iris Apfel Passes at 102 Years Old by Sophie Kuipers
Earlier this week, on Friday, March 1, 2024, Iris Apfel passed away at 102 years old. Known for her eye-catching and eclectic wardrobe, Iris was an interior designer and businesswoman. She was born in Queens, New York, in 1921, and passed away in Palm Beach, Florida. In her 80s and 90s she set trends with her unique, irreverent outfits and style.
Apfel’s big, round, thick-rimmed glasses, bright red lips and nails, and short white-silver hair were signature parts of her style and helped her stand out among the rest at fashion events. Apfel sold and designed her own scarves, beads, and bangles on the Home Shopping Network, and before that, she designed interiors for private clients. Some private clients she had included Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder. She began designing in the 1950s and continued on with it for decades to come. Apfel also founded Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl Apfel. Old World Weavers restored and sold textiles. Carl and Iris sold the company in 1992, but she continued to act as a consultant to the company.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art asked Apfel if they could display her clothes after the cancellation of an exhibit. This was the first time the Metropolitan Museum of Art included clothing from an individual’s personal wardrobe.
Iris Apfel had many accomplishments throughout her lifetime, and the ones listed are only a few of them. Apfel lived a long, fulfilling life, wearing her unique, eye-catching clothes encouraging creativity to numerous people through her style.
Apfel’s big, round, thick-rimmed glasses, bright red lips and nails, and short white-silver hair were signature parts of her style and helped her stand out among the rest at fashion events. Apfel sold and designed her own scarves, beads, and bangles on the Home Shopping Network, and before that, she designed interiors for private clients. Some private clients she had included Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder. She began designing in the 1950s and continued on with it for decades to come. Apfel also founded Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl Apfel. Old World Weavers restored and sold textiles. Carl and Iris sold the company in 1992, but she continued to act as a consultant to the company.
In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art asked Apfel if they could display her clothes after the cancellation of an exhibit. This was the first time the Metropolitan Museum of Art included clothing from an individual’s personal wardrobe.
Iris Apfel had many accomplishments throughout her lifetime, and the ones listed are only a few of them. Apfel lived a long, fulfilling life, wearing her unique, eye-catching clothes encouraging creativity to numerous people through her style.