Iris Apfel, arguably the world's most fashionable centenarian, has died aged 102.
The news was shared on her Instagram, where she had three million followers, and also confirmed to The New York Times by Stu Loeser, a spokesman for her estate.
Born in Queens, New York on August 29, 1921, the vivacious Apfel was taken to social and family events by her parents from a young age, where her grandmother kept her entertained by playing with scrap fabric.
In her 2018 book, Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon, Apfel described how the experience would go on to shape her world.
“She opened one bag, and then another, and what I saw made my eyes pop: a gigantic bunch of little fabric remnants in all sorts of colours and patterns – there were scraps of all kinds, of all shapes and sizes,” she wrote.
“Obsessed with texture, colour, and pattern, I spent whole evenings entertaining myself this way. Looking back, it’s very clear playing this way honed by eye and gave me a very deep interest in fabric.”
This fascination with colour and pattern crystallised over the years into a quirky, and deeply personal, sense of style. Clearly enjoying the play and fun of fashion, Apfel once explained that the key to style was not to worry about what others thought and instead stay true to one’s own instincts.
“If you have to be all things to all people, you end up being nothin’ to nobody,” she wrote. “The way I dress may be different or eccentric to some who feel the need to label, but that’s of no concern to me. I don’t dress to be stared at; I dress for myself. When you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t have to think like everyone else.”
Apfel’s unique take on fashion was celebrated with a dedicated exhibition at The Costume Institute in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, that ran for five months until January 2006. When the show opened, Apfel was 84.
In the book of the exhibition, The Metropolitan wrote that Apfel was “an American original in the truest sense". It added that she is one of the "most vivacious personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles, and interior design" and over the past 40 years, she has cultivated a personal style that is "both witty and exuberantly idiosyncratic".
Noting how Apfel would boldly combine clothes that spanned different genres, eras and styles, the exhibition described how her “originality is typically revealed in her mixing of high and low fashions – Dior haute couture with flea market finds, 19th-century ecclesiastical vestments with Dolce & Gabbana lizard trousers".
In 2018, Apfel received perhaps the highest fashion accolades, when Mattel created two Barbie dolls in her likeness. Called Styled by Iris Apfel, each doll wore a typically exuberant outfit in jaunty colours and patterns. One doll wore an emerald green, jacquard suit with a baby blue, lace collar and copious costume jewellery, while the second was dressed in a teal mohair cardigan over a red pattern top and red trousers. Both dolls wore round-framed glasses and were released to coincide with Apfel’s book going on sale.
Of its decision to create the dolls, Mattel explained in a statement at the time, that Apfel embodies the "quintessential role model for Barbie with her singular style vision, entrepreneurial spirit and independence".
Aside from being a huge name in fashion, Apfel ran a successful textile and interior design business for many years. Called Old World Weavers, she ran it with her husband Carl Apfel, whom she married in 1948. One of its major contracts was to supply textiles to the White House, which it did for nine successive presidencies
Travelling to Europe twice a year to buy fabrics, the Apfels specialised in importing high-quality 17th, 18th and 19th-century reproductions, that were also sold via a boutique on 57th Street, New York. With fabrics so highly sought after, Apfel later explained she earned the nickname “First Lady of Fabric” and “Our Lady of the Cloth” while working with the White House.
However, Apfel’s unique style did not hit the mainstream until late in her life. “My first big job in beauty and fashion came when I was at the tender age of ninety,” she explained. "In conjunction with Mac, she created a limited-edition range of make-up in 2011. Of the accompanying campaign, that starred Apfel herself, she once quipped: “I’m the oldest living broad that ever graced a major cosmetics campaign.”
That same year Apfel launched her own line of signature oversized, costume jewellery. Called Rara Avis, it sold via the Home Shopping Network.
In 2014, a documentary was made about Apfel’s life and style by filmmaker Albert Maysles. Called Iris, it won Apfel legions of new fans for her indomitable spirit, and earned Maysles an Emmy nomination.
With a marriage stretching across eight decades, Apfel’s husband Carl died in 2015, aged 100. Writing about the secret to their long marriage, she once explained: "His humour and generosity were legendary. We did almost everything together. He pushed me into the limelight and then basked in my success. He got much more of a kick from the accolades I received than I did. I miss him madly.”
As for living a long and productive life, Apfel was refreshingly honest.
I never expected people to know my name or recognise my face. I never expected museums to exhibit my clothing and accessories. I never expected anything
Iris Apfel
“You start falling apart, but you just have to buck up and paste yourself together. You may not like getting older, but what’s the alternative? You’re here. Embrace it. I say put your experience to work, to give something back to other people," she wrote.
“I found that work is very healthy for me. I love what I do and I put my heart and soul into it."
She also believed that hard work, not entitlement was a vital ingredient of a successful life and career.
“I never expected people to know my name or recognise my face. I never expected museums to exhibit my clothing and accessories. I never expected anything.
“I just feel things in my gut and I do them. If something sounds exciting and interesting I do it — and then I worry about it later. Doing new things takes a lot of energy and strength. It’s very tiring to make things happen, to learn how to master a skill, to push fears aside, [and] most people would rather just go with the flow; it’s much easier. But it’s not very interesting.”
Vowing never to become what she described as a "fuddy-duddy" Apfel remained steadfastly young at heart, embracing the new and the diverse at every opportunity. Her goal was simple, she once explained: “I hold the self-proclaimed record for being the World’s Oldest Living Teenager and I intend to keep it that way.”
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dunki
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
More coverage from the Future Forum
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
Joy%20Ride%20
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
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%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
More on Quran memorisation:
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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