Zelda Kaplan

Zelda Kaplan
Born Zelda Berkowitz
(1916-06-20)June 20, 1916
Flemington, New Jersey, U.S.
Died February 15, 2012(2012-02-15) (aged 95)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Socialite, fashion icon, humanitarian
Spouse(s) Dr. Samuel Kaplan (second husband)

Zelda Kaplan (June 20, 1916[1] – February 15, 2012) was a fixture in New York's art, nightclub, and fashion worlds.[2] She was often seen at popular New York nightclubs until closing.[3] Her trademark nightclub outfit was a matching African-print dress, handbag, and shoes, and a tall cloth hat.[4]

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.[4] 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."[5]

In 2003, she was profiled in The New York Times.[6] Later that same year HBO premiered a documentary about Kaplan, Her Name Is Zelda, which followed her life from housewife to socialite.[7][8] In 2006, at the age of 90, she was profiled in The Village Voice.[9] Kaplan once posed as a subject for her friend the photographer Andres Serrano.[10]

Death

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.[10][11]

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Kaplan profile in the New York Social Diary (online)
  3. ↑ Report of Kaplan's death in The Daily Mail
  4. 1 2 Kurutz, Steve (October 19, 2003). "CITYPEOPLE; The Amazing Zelda". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ Village Voice article quoting Kaplan on female genital mutilation; September 19, 2006; accessed August 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ Profile, nytimes.com; accessed August 25, 2014.
  7. ↑ Profile in The New York Times, October 19, 2003.
  8. ↑ New York Daily News article on Zelda Kaplan
  9. ↑ Profile in The Village Voice, September 19, 2006
  10. 1 2 Profile, thenigerianvoice.com; accessed August 25, 2014.
  11. ↑ Cowles, Charlotte (2012-02-15). "Socialite Zelda Kaplan Dies After Collapsing at Fashion Show". nymag.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012.


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