Iris Apfel: A Trailblazer in Fashion and Individuality

Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon, dies at 102

Iris Apfel, the self-described “geriatric starlet” and one of the most recognizable fashion personalities of the last century, passed away on March 1st, 2024.

Her legacy is defined by fearless style, wit, and a lifelong refusal to shrink herself for anyone. Alongside her unmistakable fashion identity, Iris also lived her life childfree. A choice rarely highlighted, but deeply aligned with the independence and creativity that shaped her story.

Born Iris Barrel in Astoria, Queens in 1921, she grew up immersed in art, textiles, and culture. Her early exposure to craftsmanship and design laid the groundwork for the distinctive eye that would later make her a global icon.

Iris never followed the prescribed route, and that became part of her magic.

Early Life and the Unlikely Path to Icon Status

Iris’s journey into fashion wasn’t strategic. She called herself an “accidental icon” for a reason. She wasn’t formally trained, didn’t chase trends, and never set out to become famous. She simply had a vision and trusted it.

After studying art and interior design at NYU, she met Carl Apfel, who became her husband and creative partner for nearly seven decades. Together, they ran Old World Weavers, a renowned textile and restoration company that brought them into historic buildings and palaces around the world. Their work placed them in front of tastemakers, designers, and eventually the fashion elite who took notice of Iris’s bold personal style.

Iris Apfel and her husband Carl Apfel.

The Rise of a True Original

Iris didn’t blend in, and she never wanted to. Her oversized round glasses, stacks of bangles, layered textures, and vibrant palettes set her apart long before Instagram made “statement looks” a cultural currency.

Her approach was instinctive and playful. She mixed couture with flea market finds, treated fashion as art, and refused to water herself down for trends or expectations. By her eighties, she had become a beloved fixture in the New York fashion scene. By her nineties, she was a global phenomenon.

At 102, she signed with a major modeling agency, joined the same roster as Gigi Hadid, and starred in campaigns for brands decades younger than she was. Iris didn’t reinvent herself to stay relevant. She stayed relevant because she never stopped being herself.

Apfel and her husband Carl did not have children.

Choosing a Childfree Life

Iris and her husband Carl did not have children. She rarely discussed the reasons publicly, and that privacy deserves respect. What we do know is that their lives were filled with travel, business, creativity, and partnership. They built a world together that suited them.

Her childfree choice wasn’t the headline of her life, but it shaped what was possible for her. It gave her freedom to work, explore, create, and reinvent without limits. It also pushes back on the assumption that fulfillment can only come from parenthood. Iris’s life makes it clear that purpose can take many forms.

A Legacy Built on Authenticity

Iris Apfel embodied the kind of authenticity people spend a lifetime trying to find. She didn’t chase approval, trends, or youth. She didn’t soften her edges to fit into whatever box society said older women should occupy.

Her influence stretched far beyond fashion. She inspired people to embrace their quirks, trust their instincts, and live unapologetically. She taught that style is personal, aging is not a barrier, and individuality is not something to outgrow.

Her famous line still rings true: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Throughout her career, Iris Apfel defied various conventional notions of age, beauty, and style.

Why Her Story Matters to the Childfree Community

Iris’s life highlights something important. A childfree path can be expansive, meaningful, and deeply creative. It can open room for travel, partnership, career, art, and personal evolution. It can allow a person to pour themselves into passions without the constant pressure to conform to traditional milestones.

Her legacy reflects the quiet truth many childfree people already know: meaning is not limited to one model of adulthood. Fulfillment is personal, and a life well lived is defined by the choices that make you feel most like yourself.

Honoring Her Impact

Iris Apfel’s story is an invitation to live with courage. To dress how you want. To age how you want. To pursue the life you want, regardless of the narrative society tries to hand you.

Her life shows that originality never goes out of style, confidence doesn’t expire, and choosing your own path (childfree or otherwise) can be a powerful form of freedom.