- By Christy Cooney
- BBC News
Iris Apfel: It’s better to be happy than well dressed (speaking in 2015)
American designer and fashion icon Iris Apfel has died at the age of 102.
The self-described “geriatric starlet” was known for her distinctive cropped white hair, oversized glasses, bright lipstick and chunky beads.
Apfel reached the peak of her fame in the 1980s and 90s, but was a familiar face at Paris fashion shows for more than half a century.
She also served a host of celebrity clients, including Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder.
Her death was announced to her almost three million followers on Instagram, with a picture of Apfel sporting her renowned oversized round glasses.
US designer Tommy Hilfiger was among those to pay tribute as he praised Apfel as an “innovator and leader” in the world of textiles and style, who “will go down in history”.
Image source, Getty Images
Iris Apfel was aged 97 when she signed a modelling contract with global agency IMG Models, who also represent Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss
“Iris Apfel has become a world-famous fashion icon because of her incredible talent not only as an artist, but as an influencer,” he said.
“She has had an amazing effect on so many people with her huge heart and magic touch with everyone she meets.”
US singer Lenny Kravitz and Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham also paid tribute.
Born to a Jewish family in New York in…
