Iris Apfel, the beloved maximalist style icon, passed away this week at the age of 102.
Iris spent her early career working in interior design. In 1950, Afpel and her husband started the “Old World Weavers” textile firm, which aimed to create fabrics inspired by designs from centuries ago.
Iris’ time at “Old World Weavers” was a tremendous success, even leading to her work with the White House. There, she focused on restoring or replicating textiles for nine different presidents.
Outside of her work for “Old World Weavers,” Apfel developed her own distinctive style, often adorned with multiplescarves, necklaces, bracelets, and her iconic oversized sunglasses. In 2005, selections from Iris Apfel’s wardrobe were featured in an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled “Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection.”
After the success of her collection at the 2005 Metropolitan Museum of Art, Iris began to receive numerous requests to be photographed for magazines, represent products in advertisements, and collaborations on design collections.
In 2018, Iris became the oldest woman to ever have a Barbie made in her likeness. Although it was never mass-produced, the dolls were titled “Styled by Iris Apfel.”
After receiving so much attention later in life, Iris described herself as a “geriatric starlet.” Apfel released an autobiography in 2018 titled “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon.”
Rest in peace!
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