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r.i.p. zelda
February 16, 2012

Slideshow: Remembering Zelda Kaplan, Beloved Party Animal

By Charlotte Cowles

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Photo: Djamilla Rosa Cochran/Getty Images

While socialite Zelda Kaplan’s death was a dramatic one — she collapsed in the front row of a fashion show yesterday — it’s fitting that she passed while in her element. Known for her exotic fashion sense and indefatigable partying, Kaplan was one of those fabulous New York dames who mastered the art of mixing high and low: When she wasn’t traveling in Africa to campaign with tribal government leaders for women’s rights, she was schmoozing with Snoop Dogg at Capitale or cutting the line at Bungalow 8. Enjoy our roundup of quotes and party photos from a life well-lived.

On dating:
”Two young men did recently ask if they could make love to me … But what do I want with a 36-year old?” [NYT]

On dancing:
“I just love a slow fox trot … To me, the dancing the young people do in the clubs is exercise. There’s no skill involved.” [NYT]

On drinking:
“Shiraz.” [NYM]

On her various occupations:
“I spent half my life relaxing and the other half crusading — I was a successful ballroom dancer and women’s golf pro in Miami Beach in my 20s, a doctor’s wife in New York in my 30s — and in my 60s and 70s I spent my time largely in Africa and Southeast Asia campaigning directly with local tribal government leaders for women’s and children’s rights.” [NYM]

On a typical Wednesday night:
“Cobalt, then Cielo. Maybe to an Israeli film about clitoridectomies first.” [NYM]

On angering Yali tribesmen in Indonesia when she ran out of film and couldn’t take their picture:
”Boy, do those Yali guys get mad in a hurry … Let me tell you, I expected an arrow in my back at any second.” [NYT]

On Amy Sacco, nightlife maven and former owner of Bungalow 8:
“Amy lets me in even when there’s a private party … She’s such a nice girl.” [NYT]

On keeping up her energy:
“I think one of the things that keeps me healthy is that I’m not introspective at all … The secret is being interested in things outside of oneself.” [NYM]

On her bedtime:
“Anytime between midnight and 7 a.m.” [NYM]

On aging:
”I want to be an example for young people so they aren’t afraid of growing old and a lesson to old people that you can be productive. You don’t have to sit around and wait for death.” [NYT]

Related: Socialite Zelda Kaplan Dies After Collapsing at Fashion Show

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NYT NYM

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NYM
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1 / 15 Photos
May 7, 2003 At a release party for CD Chillin at the Playboy Mansion, hosted by Playmate of the Year Christina Santiago at Capitale.
June 19, 2003 At the Bulgari dinner benefit for the Free Arts for Abused Children, held at the Central Park Boathouse.
October 9, 2003 At Elle Décor magazine’s International Design Awards at the Chelsea Art Museum.
February 13, 2004 With Jennifer Romano at Richard Tyler’s fashion show after-party at Lotus.
July 30, 2004 At Snoop Dogg’s party at Capitale. Photo: Djamilla Rosa Cochran
February 10, 2006 With Richie Rich at the Little Brooklyn Charity Auction to benefit the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. Photo: Duffy-Marie ... February 10, 2006 With Richie Rich at the Little Brooklyn Charity Auction to benefit the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. Photo: Duffy-Marie Arnoult
June 26, 2006 At her own 90th birthday party at Home & Guesthouse in New York.
June 26, 2006 A Zelda Kaplan birthday cake.
July 18, 2006 At the Steelo fashion show at Terminal Stores in New York. Photo: G. Gershoff
September 10, 2007 At Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week. Photo: Katy Winn/2007 Getty Images
February 17, 2009 With designer Chocheng at Bryant Park. Photo: Jerritt Clark/2009 Jerritt Clark
May 12, 2009 With Lillian Bassman at Bassman’s 90th birthday party.
September 23, 2009 With Heather Graham at the unveiling of the "Spider Silk" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.
October 18, 2011 With Cynthia Karalla and Tatijana Shoan at the As If Magazine party in New York. Photo: Donna Ward/2011 Donna Ward
February 15, 2012 Sitting front row at the Joanna Mastroianni Fall 2012 fashion show at Lincoln Center, moments before she collapsed. Photo: Jaso... February 15, 2012 Sitting front row at the Joanna Mastroianni Fall 2012 fashion show at Lincoln Center, moments before she collapsed. Photo: Jason Kempin/2012 Getty Images
1 / 15

Tags:

  • zelda kaplan
  • r.i.p. zelda
  • r.i.p.
  • amy sacco

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