Milton Glaser, the creator of the iconic 'I ♥ NY' logo - has died at the age of 91.
His wife of 50 years, Shirley, confirmed the sad news to The New York Times, saying that the Manhattan graphic designer had passed away on Friday - which was also his 91st birthday.
Shirley confirmed that the cause of death was a stroke.
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Perhaps Glaser's most iconic piece was the "I love New York" message he first sketched in the back of a taxi in 1976. The original drawing is currently held in the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
After being used by the New York tourism board in 1977, the three-letter & emoji design is now recognized worldwide.
Following the news of his passing, Glaser's fans and admirers have taken to Twitter to pay their respects and share tributes to the legendary designer:
Speaking to the New York Post in 2017 about life with Shirley in their senior years, Glaser said: "We have a beautiful house in Woodstock. It’s the alternation of those experiences that matter.
"After we’ve been in Woodstock a week or two, we think of NYC as a vacation. The ability to choose your energy level and environment, and feeling you have that choice, makes it delightful.
"At a certain point, you find you want to spend most of your time alone - in this case, with your wife - doing modest things and not going more than six or eight blocks from where you live."
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans at this time.
Iconic French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler has died aged 73.
Beyoncé and Diana Ross are among the celebrities who have led tributes to Mugler as the fashion world mourns the late designer.
The 73-year-old's death was announced in an Instagram post on Sunday, January 23, alongside a black square with the tragic news, which was written in both English and French.
"We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday, January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace," the caption read.
He was known for designs with broad shoulders and sharp tailoring, inspired by 1940s and 50s glamour.
Mugler's designs were worn by stars including David Bowie and Lady Gaga. He created many stage costumes for Beyoncé and in 2019 designed Kim Kardashian's famous "wet dress" for the Met Gala.
Credit: dpa picture alliance / Alamy
In later years, his brand became famous for perfumes, such as Angel and Alien.
Following the tragic news of his passing, stars rushed to social media to pay tribute to the iconic fashion creative.
"No no no no no," model Bella Hadid wrote, adding a downcast emoji.
Kim Kardashian at the 2019 Met Gala wearing Mugler's "Wet Dress". Credit: PA Images / Alamy
Heidi Klum left a broken heart emoji, writing “Icon”, while Kylie Minogue thanked Mugler for his "art". The Aussie pop star wrote: "Deepest condolences. A true visionary. Thank you for your art Manfred."
"I cannot believe this is true sending love to you all. Thierry was a force of creativity and kindness," Georgia May Jagger commented.
Music icon Diana Ross tweeted a throwback photo, writing: "I will miss you Thierry Mugler this was a wonderful time in our lives."
Cardi B wearing a Mugler creation at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Credit: Sipa US / Alamy
"Not Mugler?!?!? First Andre and now Thierry? This is too much. I am so heartbroken.," wrote RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars alum Shea Couleé.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé usually saves that spot on her website to announce birthdays of her friends and famous people she admires, though Mugler got the same treatment in death.
Kim Kardashian in a Mugler dress. Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy
Supermodel Irina Shayk, 36, shared several joyous photos of herself with Mugler of a more-recent vintage on Instagram.
In one of the photos shared, she can be seen posing with the designer, as well as Cardi B.
"Gone too soon," Shayk wrote, adding several broken-hearted emojis. "God of fashion .. a rarely REAL, kindness, sweetest .. u ll be always missed by your Russian…"
Born December 21, 1948, in Strasbourg, France, Mugler began designing in the 1970s. He eventually became known for his dramatic creations that included broad shoulders and sharp tailoring.
Despite retiring in 2002, the iconic designer remained a staple in the world of fashion.
The brand was relaunched in 2010 as Mugler, which is currently under the creative direction of Casey Cadwallader.
On Tuesday morning, celebrated fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment. She was 55 years old. According to New York Police Department sources, her death was an apparent suicide, hanged by a scarf which she allegedly tied to a doorknob. According to the same sources, she left a note addressing her 13-year-old daughter and husband.
Kate was best known for creating her iconic handbag line, which was a symbol of adulthood for a generation of women. All day long, Twitter users mourned the designer by sharing fond memories of their first colorful Kate Spade bag. Through the The New York times, Kate's family released a statement, writing, "We are all devastated by today's tragedy. We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time."
Kate Spade New York, the company she founded in 1993, also released a statement: "Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time." In a tweet, they added, "We honor all the beauty she brought into this world."
Now, comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live alum David Spade has paid tribute to late sister-in-law. That's right - Kate Spade and David Spade are related. (Surprising, right?) On Twitter, David shared a photo of "Katy" at a signing for his memoir, Almost interesting. He wrote, "Katy at my book signing, I love this pic of her. So pretty. I dont think everyone knew how f--king funny she was... Its a rough world out there people. Try to hang on."
David also paid tribute on Instagram, sharing a blurry photo of the two during the holiday season. "Fuzzy picture but i love it," wrote the Joe Dirt star in the caption. "Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it. Its a rough world out there people, try to hang on."
On Twitter, several celebrities joined the outpouring of grief. Mindy Kaling said Kate’s clothes "were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them." Lucy Hale said, "Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone with any circumstances." Lena Dunham said she had "a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike." And Olivia Munn said she treasured her first purse so much she "was obsessed with keeping the little white Kate Spade label clean."
Iris Apfel - the flamboyant icon in the world of fashion - has sadly passed away at the age of 102.
The news was confirmed on the businesswoman's Instagram page, in a heartbreaking post to her 3 million followers.
Although no further information was given, it was confirmed that Apfel passed away on March 1 (Friday).
The post showed the self-proclaimed "geriatric starlet" posing in a stunning black and gold gown, while sporting her iconic oversized glasses, bold gold bangles, and distinctive white hair.
Iris Apfel has passed away at the age of 102. Credit: Noam Galai / Stringer / Getty
In a matter of hours, the post was flooded with tributes from fans and stars alike, with one person writing: "You have shown us and the fashion world that age is just a number. Thank you for being you and inspiring everyone. Rest in Fashion Iris girl."
A second commented: "Rest in peace! You were an inspiration to us all with your unique and daring style! You will be missed."
"She inspired so many women to be bold, and brave and truly authentic [...] to ignore the number of years we have lived and view age as an opportunity to shine," a third typed. "What a beautiful legacy."
Famed US designer Tommy Hilfiger also paid tribute to the beloved "innovator and leader".
"Iris Apfel has become a world-famous fashion icon because of her incredible talent not only as an artist, but as an influencer," he said. "She has had an amazing effect on so many people with her huge heart and magic touch with everyone she meets."
Her agent, Lori Sale, described her time with Apfel as "the honor of a lifetime".
"I will miss her daily calls, always greeted with the familiar question: 'What have you got for me today?' Testament to her insatiable desire to work," Sale said. "She was a visionary in every sense of the word. She saw the world through a unique lens - one adorned with giant, distinctive spectacles that sat atop her nose.
"Through those lenses, she saw the world as a kaleidoscope of color, a canvas of patterns and prints.
"Her artistic eye transformed the mundane into the extraordinary and her ability to blend the unconventional with the elegant was nothing short of magical."
Born Iris Barrel on August 29, 1921, in Astoria, Queens, New York, she soon carved a niche for herself that transcends traditional definitions of fashion. Apfel's career is a testament to her belief that fashion is not just about wearing clothes but about expressing one's individuality and experiencing life to the fullest.
Despite studying history at New York University and attending art school at the University of Wisconsin, Apfel soon found success for her work as an interior designer. She also went on to co-found the textile firm Old World Weavers with her husband Carl Apfel in 1950.
Iris Apfel and husband Carl in 2008. Credit: Joe Kohen / Stringer / Getty
This venture would quickly cement herself as a staple of the fashion world.
The pair became known for reproducing antique fabrics - a venture that saw Iris and Carl travel the world in pursuit of unique textiles. This exposure to global cultures and crafts deeply influenced her personal style, which is celebrated for its mixture of high-end designer pieces with street market finds.
Throughout her career in both fashion and various restoration projects, Apfel has served clients such as Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder
She also carried out multiple projects at the White House for nine presidents.
Tributes have poured in for the fashion icon. Credit: CJ Rivera / Getty
In her later years, she refused to slow down, and embraced her role as a public speaker and educator, sharing her insights on style, creativity, and aging with grace. As well as being a visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin, she would also become a professional model at the age of 97.
In 2015, she was asked by the BBC about how people of a certain age should dress, and responded: "If you can pull it off, it's appropriate".
Apfel had been honored multiple times throughout her life - in various ways.
In 2005, her unique approach to fashion caught the eye of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, leading to the 2005 exhibition Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection.
And in 2018, Mattel made a Barbie doll in her image.
Apfel enjoyed 67 years of marriage to her husband Carl, before his passing in 2015 at the age of 100.
Our thoughts go out to Apfel's family, friends, and fans at this time.
What an incredible impact she made on the world.
Featured image credit: Noam Galai / Stringer / Getty
Mark Fleischman has sadly died at the age of 82 by assisted suicide on Wednesday.
The legendary nightlife impresario had been suffering from a mysterious neurological illness since 2016 that had recently confined him to a wheelchair.
He announced his intention to travel to the non-profit Dignitas clinic near Zurich, Switzerland with his wife, Mimi Fleischman, two weeks ago. On Wednesday (July 13), Fleischman took his final drug: a lethal dose of barbiturates.
Before his death, Fleischman revealed to the New York Post last month that the decision to end his life comes after his inability to no longer do "anything for [himself]," adding that it is the "easiest way out".
"I can’t walk, my speech is f***ed up and I can’t do anything for myself," Fleischman said. "My wife helps me get into bed and I can’t dress or put on my shoes. I am taking a gentle way out. It is the easiest way out for me."
Carmen D'Alessio and Mark Fleischman Rebuilding of Studio 54 in 1981 in New York City. Credit: MediaPunch Inc / Alamy.
Neurologists had been unable to diagnose his illness, Fleischman said. "I came to [a] decision slowly," he continued, adding, "two years ago, I decided that it wasn’t worth living".
According to the Independent, Daniel Fitzgerald, who co-owned Century Club in Los Angeles with Fleischman, confirmed that his wife texted him that Fleischman ended his life at the clinic.
"I got a text from (his wife) Mimi this morning to say that he passed away bravely," he said. "We didn’t realize how much pain he was in."
Fitzgerald revealed that he held a "living wake" for his friend on July 4th, and had wished that Fleischman would change his mind about the planned suicide.
"Everyone really had a good time, and we thought that he was going to stick around for a while, his brain was all there," he said.
"We thought that he was going to postpone it for a month but then I guess he didn’t. He was very strong-minded," Fitzgerald added.
Mark Christopher, Andy Warhol, and Jerry Hall at Studio 54. Credit: United Archives GmbH / Alamy.
Studio 54 opened in 1977 and was located in Manhattan's theater district. Fleischman took over after co-founders Steve Rubbell and Ian Schrager went to prison for tax evasion.
Fleischman ran the legendary Midtown nightclub for six years and partied with the likes of celebrity artists, business tycoons, rock legends, actors, and politicians.
The former owner says the lifestyle included drugs and alcohol, and it may have taken a toll on him, saying: "I liked to be high. So I would do drugs and drink. Possibly, this [health condition] is because I drank a lot and did drugs."
In his 2017 interview with Paper Magazine, Fleischman indulged in every substance, saying: "It all started with pot. Then I went onto coke. Somehow in the middle of all that, I did acid and mescaline. Poppers, of course."
Our thoughts go out to Fleischman's family, friends, and fans at this time.
A terminally ill man who got over 600 matching tattoos with strangers so they would remember him has sadly died, and those he bonded with over their ink have paid tribute.
Don Caskey, 56, of Ohio was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer in 2019 and made it his mission to leave a permanent mark on the world, and on people.
An oncologist had told Don that he only had months to live which ranged from a few to 40, but they were sure it wouldn't be over 10 years.
As reported by the New York Post, after his terminal diagnosis Don was sitting at his son's house dwelling on the memories of his six tattoos, and that stirred something inside him.
He knew that the tattoos and memories he had would die with him. He wanted to ensure this didn't happen, so he reached out to strangers and asked if they wanted to get matching ink with him.
Don would approach people on the street and understandably people were at first apprehensive. But when news of what he was doing started circulating, interest was attracted from all around the world.
The 56-year-old got matching tattoos with people from the US, Scotland, Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and England. As per Action News, he got 652 matching tattoos.
Sadly, Don passed away on February 6, a statement shared on his social media pages explained. It read: "Well it has been a journey to say the least, but I’m at the end of the road. I can’t fully express in words what these past few years have meant to me! I met a lot of great people, with whom I share a lot of great memories that I will carry with me until we meet again."
The heartbreaking statement continued: "This post is not a goodbye, but I’ll see you soon! I will be with each and everyone of you in spirit always and forever! Linked with ink! But today is the day that I gained my wings, and I will be flying high watching over you no matter what!"
Don touched the lives of those 652 people he shared permanent memories with, and also thousands more who were moved by his bravery in the face of great adversity.
"I’m glad i got to meet you Don!! I’m glad i came across your story and followed you!! I’ll forever cherish our Turtle Tattoo!! Thank you for coming into my life and sharing your journey with all of us," one person who got a matching tattoo said.
Credit: Facebook
A second added: "Love you Don Caskey I'll never forget you. I'm Soo Happy that I met you and shared the bond of being don'd. Till we meet again friend."
Credit: Facebook
Don achieved what he set out to do - he touched the lives of many people around the world and will be survived in people's hearts and on their skin.
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