US Fashion Icon, Iris Apfel Dies at 102

Iris Apfel, the centenarian style icon, who hailed from the New York borough of Queens and famously recognized for her oversized owlish glasses, has passed away at the age of 102, as announced on her Instagram account.

Dubbed as the “geriatric starlet,” Apfel gained widespread acclaim as a textile designer and fashion icon, achieving the pinnacle of her fame in her 80s and 90s.

Renowned for her flamboyant interior designs, she was a mainstay on the front rows of Paris fashion shows for over five decades.

Her signature cropped white hair, large glasses, vibrant lipstick, and statement necklaces earned her an eccentric reputation among New York’s elite.

Apfel’s Park Avenue apartment, spanning two floors, was a treasure trove of works by 20th-century designers, amassed over her remarkable lifespan.

In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York hosted the first comprehensive retrospective of her wardrobe, showcasing Apfel’s eclectic taste, which she often sourced from unexpected places, such as Harlem junk shops or Tiffany’s.

Known for her aversion to conformity, Apfel encouraged young women to embrace individuality, advising them to eschew the conventional “uniform” of black tights or jeans in favor of daring self-expression.

Her memorable advice resonated with many: “Dare to be different. Be yourselves, be individual. If you wear something and it doesn’t work, don’t worry, the style police are not going to arrest you.”