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

Apfel died on Friday at the age of 102

Iris Apfel is being remembered by celebrity friends after her death at age 102.

On Friday, a statement was published on Apfel’s Instagram account confirming she had died. “Iris Barrel Apfel, August 29, 1921 - March 1, 2024," the post read. A spokesman for her estate also confirmed her death to The New York Times. 

Soon after, those who knew the fashion figure began to share their condolences on social media.

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

"@iris.apfel had a passion for fashion like no other person. If I’d have to name who the best dressed woman in the world is, it would be Iris. From head to toe with color, jewelry, and the most beautiful little details, no one understood style like she did," Karan, 75, wrote alongside a photograph of the pair.

"She inspired me to do 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’m so grateful to have known Iris and her wisdom that she shared with us. This isn’t a goodbye, it is a see you later. You’ll always be in my heart Iris with beautiful memories and I can’t thank you enough for that."

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

“She truly did it all: she was a businesswoman, she was a fashion model, she was a fashion icon, she was a college professor, she was a star of a documentary, 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 need to get living,” Shriver, 68, added.

Related: Fashion Icon Iris Apfel Partners with Ciaté London on Vibrant New Collection

“She passed away today at 102, and in fact she still had unfinished business — a book about her life and the important moments called 'Colorful' coming out in August. Colorful, indeed! Thank you for the inspiration, Iris!,” she concluded her message.

Fashion designer Vera Wang shared a comment of condolence under PEOPLE’s tribute post to Apfel on Instagram, writing, “Forever an inspiration. RIP. IRIS…..💔.” Wang, 74, was joined in the comments section by Viola Davis, who wrote: “Godspeed❤.”

Alyssa Milano also posted her own tribute on Instagram, recalling a time she had worked 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 alterations the night before on an archival piece of @imisaacmizrahi from the 90s that he had gifted her back then,” she wrote in her caption, which was posted alongside a photograph of the two on the show together, as well as a solo photograph of Apfel.

“She also did her own hair and make up for this episode. What a legend,” Milano, 51, added.

Related: Iris Apfel Partners with H&M on a 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. Farewell Iris Apfel. What a rare and beautiful bird you were. 🌹🦜🌷🌻#fashion #beauty #icon #fashion,” she said on Instagram alongside a photograph of Apfel wearing a statement red jacket that featured bold sleeves made up of large fabric flowers.

In another post, Kate Walsh recalled how Apfel had impacted her life.

“THIS gal. Such an inspiration. I had the great pleasure of watching her documentary…and wearing her sunglasses. And passing her story on 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 posted in honor of the late style icon. “#RIP the great #IrisApfel What a fantastic lady, what energy , what style. God speed,” she wrote on X.

Apfel, who was born on Aug. 29, 1921, in Queens, New York, married Carl Apfel in 1947. He died in 2015 at age 100.

"We had done everything together and I was devastated," she told PEOPLE in 2020 of his death,

Apfel celebrated her 100th birthday in 2021, a year before she released a clothing collection with H&M and a beauty collection with Ciáte London.

The fashion icon told PEOPLE at the time of her milestone birthday that she viewed herself as an Energizer Bunny who simply loves to work — something she had maintained throughout her 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 said. 

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