Vera Wang, Viola Davis and More Stars Mourn Death of Fashion Icon Iris Apfel: ‘Forever an Inspiration’

Iris Apfel is remembered by famous friends after her death at the age of 102.

On Friday, Apfel posted a statement on her Instagram account confirming her death. “Iris Barrel Apfel, August 29, 1921 – March 1, 2024,” the post reads. A spokesperson for her estate also confirmed her death to The New York Times.

Soon, connoisseurs of the fashion figure began to share their condolences on social networks.

Fashion designer Donna Karan, who celebrated Apfel’s 102nd birthday with her in August, wrote a heartfelt message to her late friend on Instagram on Saturday.

“@iris.apfel had a passion for fashion like no other. If I had to name the best dressed woman in the world, it would be Iris. From head to toe with colors, jewelry and the most beautiful little details, no one understood style like her,” 75-year-old Karan wrote alongside a photo of the couple.

“She inspired me to work in color and more color instead of my usual black and white!” she continued, adding, “The love that surrounded her will be with her forever and ever. I am so grateful to have known Iris and the wisdom she shared with us. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later. You will always be in my heart Iris with fond memories and I can’t thank you enough for that.”

Iris Apfel attends the Iris Apfel Holiday House Grand Opening at The Sullivan Mansions on November 16, 2016 in New York City.

CJ Rivera/Getty

On X (formerly known as Twitter). Maria Shriver shared a lengthy tribute to Apfel. “Wow! What a truly remarkable life #IrisApfel has lived,” she began.

“She truly did it all: she was a businesswoman, she was a model, she was a fashion icon, she was a college professor, she was a documentary star, she was a Barbie doll! “Iris is truly proof that age is just a number and that we only have one life, so we all have to live,” added Shriver, 68.

Fashion icon Iris Apfel collaborates with Ciaté London on a vibrant new collection

“She passed away today at the age of 102, and in fact she still had unfinished business — a book about her life and important moments called ‘Colorful’, which will be published in August. Colorful, indeed! Thank you for the inspiration, Iris!”, she concluded her message.

Fashion designer Vera Wang shared a condolence comment below PEOPLE’s Instagram post about Apfel, writing, “Forever an inspiration. REST IN PEACE. IRIS…..💔.” Wang, 74, was joined in the comments section by Viola Davis, who wrote: “God speed❤.”

Alyssa Milano also posted her tribute on Instagram, recalling her time working with the fashion “legend.”

“Rest in peace, Iris. I had the honor of working with Iris Apfel when I hosted Project Runway All Stars. She did her own makeovers the night before on @imisaacmizrahi’s archival piece from the 90s that he gave her at the time,” she wrote in her caption, which was posted alongside a photo of the two of them together on the show, as well as a solo photo of Apfel.

“She also did her own hair and made up for this episode. What a legend,” added the 51-year-old Milano.

Icon Award winner Iris Apfel attends the 30th FN Achievement Awards at IAC Headquarters on November 29, 2016 in New York City.

Gary Gershoff/WireImage

Iris Apfel in collaboration with H&M on the new collection: ‘They let me do what I wanted’

Molly Ringwald, meanwhile, described Apfel as a “rare and beautiful bird” as she celebrated the fashion icon’s life.

“A life well lived. Goodbye Iris Apfel. What a rare and beautiful bird you were. 🌹🦜🌷🌻#fashion #beauty #icon #fashion,” she said on Instagram alongside a photo of Apfel wearing a statement red jacket that featured bold sleeves made up of large fabric flowers.

In another post, Kate Walsh recalled Apfel’s impact on her life.

“THIS girl. Such an inspiration. I had the great pleasure of watching her documentary…and wearing her sunglasses. And passed on her story to others, including my 90-year-old mother. What a LIFE,” she wrote on Instagram.

British fashion icon Daphne Guinness, who like Apfel is known for her unique looks, also spoke out in honor of the late style icon. “#REST IN PEACE a big #IrisApfel What a fantastic lady, what energy, what style. God hurry,” she wrote on X.

Iris Apfel at the Calvin Klein Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 7, 2017 in New York City.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Apfel, who was born on August 29, 1921 in Queens, New York, married Carl Apfel in 1947. He died in 2015 at the age of 100. “We did everything together and I was devastated,” she told PEOPLE in 2020. His death marked Apfel’s 100th birthday in 2021, a year before she released a clothing collection for H&M and a beauty collection for Ciáte London.

The fashion icon told PEOPLE around the time of her milestone birthday that she sees herself as an Energizer Bunny who just loves to work — something she’s maintained throughout her life.

“At 100 years old, what else to do but sit? I don’t play bridge. I don’t play golf. I like to work and I really enjoy what I do,” she said.

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Source: HIS Education