Iris Apfel: who was the American designer and ‘fashion icon’ who died at the age of 102

American designer Iris Apfel, icon of the fashion world, died at the age of 102 at her home in Florida, USA.

The self-described “geriatric star” was known for her distinctive short white hair, oversized glasses, vibrant lipstick and chunky necklaces.

Apfel reached the height of his fame in the 1980s and 90s, but was a fixture at Paris fashion shows for more than half a century.

She has also served a number of celebrity clients, including Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder.

His death was announced to his nearly three million Instagram followers with a photo of Apfel wearing his familiar oversized round glasses.

American designer Tommy Hilfiger was one of those who paid tribute, praising Apfel as an “innovator and leader” in the world of textiles and fashion, who “will go down in history”.

“Iris Apfel has become a global fashion icon due to her incredible talent not only as an artist but as an influencer,” he said.

“She had an incredible influence on so many people with her generous heart and magical touch with everyone she met.”

American singer Lenny Kravitz and Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute.

Born into a Jewish family in New York in 1921, Apfel initially studied art history and specialized in interior design, especially textiles.

She worked as an interior designer for decades, including on White House restoration projects, before becoming a trendsetter in her 80s and a professional model in her 97s.

‘A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLORS’

Apfel’s agent, Lori Sale, said working alongside her was “the honor of a lifetime.”

“I will miss your daily calls, always greeted with the familiar question: ‘What do you have for me today?’ Testimony to his insatiable desire to work,” said Sale.

“She was a visionary in every sense of the word. She saw the world through a unique lens – adorned with large, distinctive glasses that rested on her nose.

“Through these lenses, she saw the world as a kaleidoscope of colors, a canvas of patterns and prints.

“His artistic eye transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, and his ability to blend the unusual with the elegant was nothing short of magic.”

In 2014, she was the focus of a documentary, called Iris, directed by renowned director Albert Maysles.

In an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2015, she expressed her opinion that “getting dressed should be fun” and an “opportunity to play”.

“This is part of my life because I’m a creative person, and I believe others should allow themselves a little creativity too,” she said.

Asked what she thought of the idea of ​​age-appropriate clothing, she said that “if you can support it, it’s appropriate.”

This text was originally published here.