‘Rest in Maximalism’: Iris Apfel fans mourn fashion icon after her death at age 102

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Fashion icon Iris Apfel, known for her distinctive and bold style, died at age 102 on Friday, March 1, a statement published on her Instagram page confirmed.

Stu Loeser, a spokesman for Apfel's estate, also confirmed her death to the New York Times. Apfel died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Apfel celebrated her 'half birthday' one day prior to her death

On Thursday, February 29, the cheerful trendsetter was celebrating her half-birthday on Instagram.

The icon posted a black-and-white photo of her sitting down in a lavish coat, covered with jewelry while holding green balloons. She captioned the picture, "In half birthdays, I’m only 26!!! I’m 102 and a half today… Happy leap day!" 

Earlier, Apfel celebrated her iconic 100th birthday in 2021, telling PEOPLE that she considers herself to be an Energizer Bunny who simply loves to work and which she actually did for her entire life.

"At 100, what else is there to do except sit around? I don't play bridge. I don't play golf. I love to work, and I really enjoy what I do," she shared.

She did projects with clothing collection of H&M and a beauty collection with Ciáte London. Both gave the creative an outlet to channel her love of colors and patterns.

Apfel was known for her love for colors

"The world can be a gray place, so colors, patterns and textures are a way to bring some fun to life. Same with makeup, I want my lipsticks to be as bright and bold as possible," she told PEOPLE in August 2022.

Apfel has become known over the years for her love of colors and her oversize black-framed glasses. The style icon, who was hardly seen without her round glasses, said, "I always thought eyeglass frames were very stylish accessories."

Though Apfel became a fashion giant in her twilight years, she spent her early years as an interior designer and textile expert.

According to The New York Times, after marrying husband Carl Apfel in 1947, the couple founded Old World Weavers, a textile company that in the 1950s counted celebrities like Greta Garbo, Estée Lauder, and Marjorie Merriweather Post among its clientele.

Fans mourn death of Iris Apfel

Ever since the news of Apfel's death was out, fans used social media to pay their heartfelt tribute. A user on X wrote, "More is more and less is a bore.” Another user wrote, "Style is forever. Legends never die. Rest in Maximalism, Iris Apfel."

A user wrote, "Put an extra accessory on before leaving the house this weekend in honor of Iris Apfel." Another user said, "She’s an icon. She’s a Legend. She is the moment."

A user wrote, "102 & a half fabulous years - go well Iris Apfel. When I grow up, I want to be her. What an inspiration."