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]
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
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]
