A Legacy of Style
My childhood friend Scott Zenko died suddenly while hiking in Utah this past August. We knew each other from Palm Beach -- my dad lived there until a few years ago, and Scott's parents had a vacation house there. Some of my happiest memories of Palm Beach are of long afternoons sitting around the Zenkos' pool chatting with Scott's sister Starrett and secretly harboring my crush on Scott. He actually ended up being the first boy I ever made out with! I hadn't seen him so much in recent years, but whenever I did I always felt happy. Scotty was always up for fun -- he defined the word bon vivant -- and over the years he transformed from a classic prep school boy into something of a dandy. I was always curious to check out what he was wearing and was often surprised at what he could carry off. As a teenager, he pretty much stuck to the Hotchkiss uniform of navy blazers, polo shirts, and L.L. Bean moccasins. At that time his bow tie was probably the only hint of the bold dresser he would become. But as he grew into his outsize personality -- and his reputation as the best dance partner ever -- his clothes began to reflect the daring yet impressive dresser that he became. Honeydew-melon-colored trousers, raspberry velvet evening jackets, floral shorts, and, perhaps most notoriously, his white terrycloth double-breasted blazer all reflected Scotty's ability to make his clothing choices match his outrageous, fun-loving, and fearless spirit. I will miss him.
Scott heading for a game of beach backgammon at the Bath & Tennis club in Palm Beach. His double-breasted terrycloth blazer was a crowd favorite.
Scott having a signature romp on the dance floor with hottie Holly Dunlap.
One of Scotty's more daring combos.
Scotty was a major scene stealer at our friend Celerie's wedding (that's the bride herself being dipped). And all the girls who got the privilege of dancing with him were the better for it.
In his earlier, more traditional days at Hotchkiss (right).
With his little sister Starrett in the late seventies. Precious.
This look was my personal favorite.
Scott and his prep school buddy Seth Redniss, looking pretty cute even without their clothes on.
If there was one thing Scott was better at than dancing, it was skiing. But his electric-yellow pants let you know that his style followed him wherever he went.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Scott with me. So many things I didn?t know about him.
I met Scott 7 years ago and really wasn't sure what to make of him at first. Very quickly though I learned first and foremost he was a great friend. Secondly he was very passionate about wine and bringing people together to share special wine. Scott was not only my customer, he was a great friend and taught me a lot about people and the wine business.
Though I didn't see him often I new as the seasons changed Scott would walk into my restaurant to catch up and plan a way to get his friends together for a great meal. I looked forward to the days he would stop by.
One of my favorite days was the day we spent together at The a Zachy's wine auction. I was amazed how Scott could manage four paddles at one auction. He always made me smile a lot and chuckle a little. I will miss him too. I feel lucky I did get to know him.
Jo-Ann Makovitzky
Tocqueville Restaurant
This is the best style blog out there. I love reading it and this post in particular was one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your insight with the world.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend Amanda, he had killer style. That comment above is so nice!
what a nice tribute to your fashionista friend. I am sorry for your loss. He looks as if he brightened up the world for a lot of people.
what a nice tribute to your fashionista friend. I am sorry for your loss. He looks as if he brightened up the world for a lot of people.
Thank you for publicly recognizing such a original and dynamic man. I was very much looking forward to having him steal the scene with me a bit at my September 13 wedding. Alas, I knew he would not be returning that RSVP that I found magnetized to the refrigerator. I took instead the little house warming gift I had given him just a year earlier- a plant fashionably situated in a lime green and robin egg blue argyle pot- he loved it! I was not able to attend his Utah service as I was getting married but I wrote a little poem in his memory:
Dancing King
Circling the globe through a network of friends and adventures, a hedonist in search of pleasures. Fine wine, fine food and fine women - a fond memory for those that were given a little of the dancing king?s attention
New york, Chicago, AK, Tuscany but you came home for your last memory?that?s easy to see. You had to say goodbye to the gal that you loved best - Lady Alta is where you rest. In every snowflake, on every branch, in the thunder of every avalanche. Blue birds and Gray days. From the Shaft to the Mark, you are in our hearts.
Alta Prom and light years beyond here?s to you Dancing King!
- Zoe Potts
Scotty was an amazing person....he always had a kind word to say and a smile to prove it! He was and is still amazing .....its been a sad year but lost good people. I don't know how many feel but I feel like they will be with us on snowy days or days that we need motivating. Thanks for the story we always knew he had great style!