Zelda Kaplan (June 20, 1916[1] – February 15, 2012) was a fixture in New York's art, nightclub, and fashion worlds.[2] Her trademark outfit was a matching African-print dress, handbag, and shoes, and a tall cloth hat.[3]
Zelda Kaplan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zelda Berkowitz June 20, 1916 Flemington, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 2012 (aged 95) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Socialite, fashion icon, humanitarian |
| Spouse | Dr. Samuel Kaplan (second husband) |
She made numerous philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, frequently traveling to Africa to speak out against female genital mutilation and campaign for the right of women to inherit; in 1995 she spoke to villages in South Africa about birth control.[3] In regard to women's rights, she was quoted by the Village Voice as saying, "It's so important that girls not defer to the penis. I hope to let every girl know that she is somebody."[4]
In 2003, she was profiled in The New York Times.[5] Later that same year HBO premiered a documentary about Kaplan, Her Name Is Zelda, which followed her life from housewife to socialite.[6][7] In 2006, at the age of 90, she was profiled in The Village Voice.[8] Kaplan also once posed as a subject for her friend the photographer Andres Serrano.[9]
Death edit
Kaplan died in 2012, aged 95, after collapsing at a runway show for her friend the designer Joanna Mastroianni's new collection at Lincoln Center in New York City during the city's twice yearly fashion week.[9][10]
References edit
- ^ La Ferla, Ruth (2012-02-17). "Zelda Kaplan, a Fixture of New York's Fashion Scene, Dies at 95". nytimes.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ Kaplan profile in the New York Social Diary (online)
- ^ a b Kurutz, Steve (October 19, 2003). "CITYPEOPLE; The Amazing Zelda". The New York Times.
- ^ Village Voice article quoting Kaplan on female genital mutilation; September 19, 2006; accessed August 25, 2014.
- ^ Profile, nytimes.com; accessed August 25, 2014.
- ^ Profile in The New York Times, October 19, 2003.
- ^ New York Daily News article on Zelda Kaplan
- ^ Profile in The Village Voice, September 19, 2006
- ^ a b Profile, thenigerianvoice.com; accessed August 25, 2014.
- ^ Cowles, Charlotte (2012-02-15). "Socialite Zelda Kaplan Dies After Collapsing at Fashion Show". nymag.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
External links edit
- The Matriarch of NYC Nights: A biography of Zelda Kaplan; accessed August 25, 2014.